Dreadlocks are the coolest hairstyle ever! If you’re interested in finding out how to create dreadlocks, continue reading. If you’re unsure of what dreads to look like, consider Bob Marley. Got it?

Hair matting results in chunky, rope-like sections of hair with a texture similar to dreadlocks. They are from Senegalese, Aztec, Buddhist, Rastafarian, ancient Greek, and Senegalese cultures. People of all sexes, religions, tribes, and races can wear dreadlocks, though they are most frequently linked to African ancestry.

It is best to completely ignore your hair, not even brushing, cutting, or combing it, to grow dreadlocks. But before your hair mattes, a long time passes. And will also give you the appearance you want. In addition, you can dreadlock your hair by backcombing, twisting, or dread braiding. Continue reading to learn how to get these dreadlocks without having to wait years. We’ve provided a few quick tips in this article to help you achieve your dreadlock vision without making your hair matted. Scroll down to find out more.

About Dreadlocks

Human body temperature is biologically regulated with the help of hair. It also serves as a defense against unwanted foreign objects. Hair is not just about function; it can reveal a lot about a person or group’s style, status, values, religion, and beauty standards. There are many different types of hair, and people’s decisions about how to groom and style their hair can differ greatly and be influenced by several factors, including texture, preferences, and mood. The origin of the hairstyle known as dreadlocks, in which hair is gathered into sections that resemble ropes, is unknown. There is evidence that they were worn thousands of years ago, though. Dreadlocks have been seen on people in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite their lengthy and widespread history, dreadlocks and those who wear them are frequently misunderstood.

But prejudice and stereotyping are frequently to blame for these misunderstandings. Dreadlocks, also known as locks, locks, or dreads, can appear on a person’s hair naturally if they don’t comb or brush it. They are not necessarily dirtier or messier than other hairstyles because the people who create them still maintain and care for their hair.

Dreadlock Anatomy

To begin, you must have a basic understanding of what a single lock looks like. Understanding how a head full of hair can change into a head full of dreadlocks is important. The idea behind dreadlocks is that if the hair is left alone, it will eventually tangle and separate into sections. In essence, dreadlocks are a collection of knots. After its growth, the owner promotes it until it forms a coil that eventually resembles a piece of rope or yarn. Up close, a dreadlock looks like steel wool. because the fibers are woven so closely together that they form a single, solid mass.

Imagine a rug that is extremely tightly woven. If you look closely, you can see hundreds of thread filaments woven together. Following just one thread would allow you to see how it weaves in and out of the others repeatedly. Instead of being composed of many threads, the rug appears to be one continuous mass of fabric because the knitting pattern holds each thread in place.

Although the individual hair “threads” are not interwoven in a predetermined pattern, dreadlocks are very similar. They are random. Some hairstylists offer instant, temporary dreadlocks that they create by quickly knotting the hair with a crochet hook or another tool.

The Various Dreadlock Growth Stages

Stage: 1

Only light washing should be done on dreadlocks at first. Although there is some disagreement among experts on how often to wash. Most people agree to start by doing it once a week. To protect the weak ends of your hair, you might want to cover your entire head with a nylon stocking at this point. You can also use a plastic container filled with diluted shampoo to prevent over-manipulating your hair.

Stage: 2

This stage will help your kinky hair texture, so take advantage of it. If locks start to come undone, you can retwist them using the same twisting method you used to start them. The palm rolling technique will be used to encourage the hair to develop into the spiral shape of dreadlocks. With your flattened palms, take each lock and roll it in the direction it was originally twisted. Retwisting hair too frequently can put a lot of stress on the hair and lead to breakage and thinning. A wearer of locs should wait a different amount of time between retwists. It depends on the type of hair, the type of locks, and the stage of lock development.

Stage: 3

Over the first few months, the twists and curly hair will begin to develop knots close to the roots. This stage, also known as the budding stage, heralds the start of the growth of strong locks in your hair. The length of time depends on the texture and level of maintenance of your hair. Although they can take up to six months, dreadlocks can begin to form in hair as early as two months.

At Last

You are currently in the locking or teenage stage of your dreadlocks. As it sounds, this is the time when the locks appear to get denser but not much longer. The mature stage begins as the dreadlocks lengthen and take on a firmer, more established shape. You won’t have to retwist your new growth as frequently. The locks coming undone won’t be a concern for you as well. The rooted or adult stage of the lock journey is characterized by locks that are reasonably robust and expand quickly. The length that your loose, shedding hair couldn’t add is added by the hair that has fallen out of your scalp but is still contained inside the dreadlocks. Hair growth follows a predictable pattern.

The procedure will take longer for people with straight hair. But regardless of your hair type or goals, growing healthy dreadlocks requires time and the right care.

Methods of Dreadlocking

There are several methods you can use to learn how to make dreadlocks. Even though they are all similar, it’s important to figure out which strategy best suits you:

Backcombing Method

• Washing your hair

I can’t stress how important it is to do this before your dreadlock your hair enough. You use a good, residue-free shampoo to wash it. This shampoo removes all grease and dirt build-up from your hair completely while ensuring there is no leftover build-up.

• Blonde Hair

Blow-dry your hair from top to bottom and side to side. Giving your hair as much volume as you can is the key. Ensure there are no wet hair strands present before you start dreadlocking.

• Start sectioning

Make a horizontal part in your hair a few inches above the nape of your neck. Use sectioning clips to hold up the remaining portions of your hair. Pick up a section of hair that is an inch wide from one corner of the sectioned hair.

• It’s time to review

Starting about an inch below your roots, begin backcombing this region toward your scalp. This will cause a tangle to form, which will be the foundation for your dreadlocks. As you move down the length of your hair, backcomb it in this manner to the ends.

• Start to twist

The hair in this backcombed section needs to be tightly twisted into a cylindrical shape.

• Apply Dread Wax

Work a small amount of dread wax between your fingers and down the length of your dreadlocks as you twist them. The goal is to smooth down and bind together all of the unbound hair strands.

• In your palm, roll your dreadlocks

From the root to the ends, roll this waxed-up dreadlock between your palms until it is nice and taut. Dreadlock maintenance and growth are both reliant on palm rolling.

• Broaden Your Dreads

You shouldn’t try to grow your dreadlocks in an even, pre-planned pattern. This will make your scalp look exposed. Spread your hair out to give it a full appearance and to completely conceal your scalp.

• The key is repetition

This should be done until all of your hair is dreadlocked.

Twist and Rip Method

• Take a section out of every hair

Each 1-inch by 1-inch hair section should be fastened with rubber bands.

• Washing your hair

Use a residue-free shampoo and comb your hair all in one direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise.

• Let your hair air dry

Allow your hair to naturally air dry until it is completely dry.

• Put dread wax on

After tearing each section of hair apart, apply dread wax to it, and then roll each section between your palms to form a dreadlock. You can remove the rubber bands from your dreadlocks about a month after you’ve created them. At the time when it has had time to truly lock and bind. 

The braiding Method

Many people start their dreadlocks with braids because it’s so simple to do so. To complete the task, only a sectioning comb is required. No specialized tools are needed! This method works best on afro hair.

1. By evenly dividing your hair into sections before braiding, you can completely control the size of your dreads.
2. To wash your hair, use a shampoo that leaves no residue. Dehydrate it. It’s important to refrain from conditioning your hair. Because your braids won’t hold if your hair is too soft.
3. Depending on the length of your locks, divide your hair into sections. As the sections get bigger, the locks get thicker.
4. Section the hair, then start braiding while taking the elastic out of each section.
5. Start your lock by encircling a single hair strand after you’ve finished your conventional three-strand braid.

The Two-Strand twist method

The two-strand twist method works best on people whose hair already has an Afro texture. In comparison to other methods, strand twists produce locks that are smoother and more visually appealing. However, strand twisted locks are not as durable as braided locks.

1. You should wash and dry your hair.
2. Divide your hair into the desired lock sizes, starting at the nape and forming a square at the base. The sections are attached with elastic bands.
3. After dividing the hair into sections, remove the elastic and split each section in half.
4. After being spun in one direction, the strands are passed over one another and then spun in the opposite direction.
5. The ends of your twists might get looser over time. Use the comb twisting or finger rolling techniques.

Congratulations! Your hair has been dreadlocked successfully! I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but maintaining dreadlocks to keep them looking fresh and tidy does require some work. Let’s look at how you can do that.

What should one expect once dreadlocks are started?

1. You’ll feel pain in your scalp. For a few days, your scalp will hurt, especially if you crocheted the start of your dreadlocks.
2. You might have fragile dreads. if your dreads’ starting point was crocheted. Dreads will remain stiff for a few weeks. After a few shampoos, your dreadlocks will soften and become more flexible. There is no need to use any products. Just be patient.
3. Dandruff might start to appear. You probably reduced the number of times you wash. In this case, shampoo your hair more frequently (at least once in a week). 
4. Your dreads will tangle up very fast. Due to this, you should wrap your dreads at night and perform monthly maintenance until they have fully grown.

How to Maintain Order in Dreadlocks

Let me start by answering the question that is probably on everyone’s mind: yes, you can and must wash your dreadlocks. When taking care of and washing your dreadlocks, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

Let’s examine each one in turn:

• For the first week, don’t wash them

Your dreadlocks are very delicate the first week after they are made. If they were washed now, they might loosen and unravel. Get a big shower cap and wear it over your head while taking a bath for the first week.

• Use only residue-free shampoo when washing your dreadlocks

You can wash your hair one to three times per week after the first week of not washing it. Always use residue-free shampoo for two reasons. First of all, regular shampoos frequently leave lubricating compounds in your hair that lubricate it and loosen your dreadlocks. Second, there is a real possibility that this residue will build up in your hair and result in the growth of your dreadlocks.

• Ensure that your dreads are entirely dry

Before you wash your dreadlocks again, ensure they are completely dry and down to the center, whether you air dries them or blow-dry them. They can stink if you leave them wet.

• Regular palm rolling and waxing

Apply some dread wax and palm roll your dreadlocks to make them tighter whenever you notice that they are becoming loose. When your dreads are first appearing, you might need to do this approximately every week.

Now that you’ve mastered routine dreadlock maintenance. Here are some additional suggestions to help you give your dreadlocks the tender loving care they deserve.

Tips to take care of your Dreadlocks:

• Conditioning spray

If you notice that your scalp is becoming excessively itchy and irritated, buy a bottle of dread conditioning spray. This spray will increase the moisture in your scalp, which will help reduce itching.

• Terrible balling

If you notice any hairs sticking out from your dreads. Simply ball them up and tuck them into the nearest dreadlock using a crochet needle. The dread should then be palm rolled to lock in the dread ball firmly.

• To bed, don a headscarf

To prevent your dreadlocks from attracting different types of lint and fuzz from your pillow, wrap them in a headscarf before going to bed.

• A spray of seawater

Dreadlocks can be made tighter with salt water. When your dreads start to feel a little loose and lifeless, you can prepare this, put it in a spray bottle, and apply it to them.

• Utilize organic hair products

To maintain the health of your dreadlocks, try using natural hair care products. It is best to choose products with no chemicals or residue.

• Encircle newly growing roots

Some of the hair at the roots will be torn as your hair grows. Rub some dread oils between your fingers and roll your dreads clockwise starting at the roots to tighten them back up.

About Dreadlocks today

Dreadlocks and Rastafari spread to the United States and other nations as a result of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ international success in the late 1970s. The hairstyle and religion were frequently met with fear and hostility in popular culture. Cannabis use as a core belief, associations with Black nationalist ideology, and misconceptions about dreadlocks as an unhygienic hairstyle all contributed to the controversy.

Popular culture has long held the notion that dreadlocked Jamaican gangs pose a threat to American cities, as depicted in movies like “Marked for Death” and “Predator 2.” Children are also harmed by bloody pagan rituals and drug trafficking. But over time, dreadlocks have become more popular, in part thanks to famous people like baseball player Manny Ramirez, Lenny Kravitz, and Bob Marley.

Hair stylists in the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., and other countries can now help you lock your hair. Outside of Jamaica, hairstyle has grown in popularity. People from all backgrounds and races support the Rastafari cause.

However, dreadlocks can still cause a stir in some social circles. Many people also still associate fashion with radicalism or perceive it as unclean or filthy. Employees with dreadlocks may typically be fired by their employers in the US or threatened with termination if they don’t trim their hair. This is more common in professions that are traditional or in the service industry. If you practice Rastafarianism or have dreadlocks as a sign of your religious commitment. If you file a discrimination lawsuit, you might win. But there is less legal protection for those who wear dreadlocks as a fashion statement: Employers are free to establish standards for grooming and appearance as long as they don’t discriminate against groups that are legally protected, such as race or religion.

More on this…

Employers who choose to hire or fire people based solely on their hairstyles are now coming under increased scrutiny. In the federal circuit court case Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Catastrophe Management Solutions, a Black woman’s job offer was withdrawn due to her refusal to have her dreadlocks cut. The court dismissed the claim because discrimination is based on traits that individuals cannot alter. However, the CROWN Act, a piece of legislation that forbids discrimination in the workplace and public institutions based on hair texture or style, is also gaining support in the United States.

In contrast to the 1970s, dreadlocks are no longer associated with the same level of social stigma. However, people who wear locks are frequently viewed as being unprofessional, unhygienic, and disruptive. There have also been disagreements about other locks, such as whether it is cultural appropriation for white people to wear dreadlocks. But notable celebrities who wear fake dreadlocks include Whoopi Goldberg, Justin Bieber, Zendaya, and Willow Smith. At the moment, dreadlocks are popular and gaining acceptance.

Conclusion

Similar to the well-liked jock at school who has dreadlocks, dreadlocks are well-known while still being very cool and laid-back. Now that you know how to expertly make dreadlocks at home, it’s time for a hair makeover. Be patient and take your time when dreadlocking your hair. You can also enlist the help of a friend to be on the safe side. Remember to take good care of your dreadlocks as well. You do not want your hair to lose its condition!

About post Author

Liezel Andrada

Author Liezel Andrada from Upfinance

See author's posts