DREADLOCKS

Dreadlocks are made of heavy matted hair that are combined together. Dreadlocks form naturally if you let your hair grow without combing and washing for a long time. However, many techniques and hair products are available to style your hair into dreadlocks. Though, it can be done on any hair type, curly or kinky hair is best for dreadlocks. For dreadlocks, make sure your hair is nearly three inches long and free from any chemicals. You might need someone to assist you.

Are you ready for dreadlocks?

Find out if the lifestyle and the maintenance required for dreadlocks is right for you.

Dreadlocks take time. They are not an instant hairstyle. The only way to instant dreadlocks is temporary dreadlocks.

Your Job. Does your job allow them? If you don't check first you could end up losing your job or putting a lot of time into making your dreadlocks and have to take them out.

Know your hair texture. This is important for choosing the right method to make your dreadlocks.

Proper dreadlocks maintenance. VERY IMPORTANT! The key to great dreadlocks is knowing how to take care of them.

Twisting your dreads

It is all natural. You have control over the size of the dreads and how they form. Many salons are familiar with this method and the cost is usually much lower than a dread perm.

Hair should be sectioned into squares. Square sections make round dreads. Between 1" and 2" squares works well for most people. Smaller sections make thinner dreads. As you section the hair you can secure each section with a rubberband. When the whole head is sectioned twist each section clockwise using a comb to snag the hair at the ends and twist. As each section is twisted dread wax should be worked in to hold the twists. Thick waxes without petroleum hold the hair much better when starting the dreads. After the dreads mature thinner waxes can be used to add fragrance and sheen. Rubberbands can also be used at the roots and tips to hold the hair for the first couple of weeks. Be sure not to attach the rubberbands too tightly, nice and snug will do the job just as well and should not break any hairs. Hair should be twisted by hand regularly to help it lock up.

Dreads can also be started in short black hair without sectioning by hand. The hair can actually section itself. To do this you need short curly African textured hair about 1/2" thick. Take a soft bristled brush and rub it gently in clockwise circles on the surface of the hair. As you rub the hair will magically form little nubs or balls of hair. These little nubs can be twisted by hand into dreads. Twisting and working in a little bit of thick dread wax will help them hold together and mature much faster. The nice thing about these sections is that they are chosen naturally by the hair and for this reason they dread nicely by themselves as they continue to grow.

Maintaining your dreadlocks

Wash your hair with water, and don't use shampoo, conditioner, or any hair products. Dry and comb your hair. Grouping them without tangles and knots would be better. Depending upon how thick or thin you want the locks to be, group your hair from the underside into separate sections. Tie each section with a rubber band. Now choose a section of your hair, untie it, and start teasing from the root till you complete the entire section. A metal lice comb would be best for this process.

Continue teasing till the hair is tight enough to hold together. Wet your hair with ocean water or rub some ash from a burnt wood on your hair to make the dreads stronger.

Tighten the dreadlocks at least once in a month, and use a beanie to prevent the locks from entangling while sleeping. You can use shampoos available especially for dreadlocks to refresh the scalp without affecting the locks' quality. You can also apply wax on the locks that strengthen their quality and give them a better shape. It is hard to style heavily matted hair but short dreadlocks can be tied into simple ponytails or half updos. For long hair, elegant dreadlock buns are also quite popular.

Disclaimer of liability: All content of this website has been carefully prepared and reviewed, however we can not guarantee the accuracy and completeness. We will not be liable for any false, inaccurate, inappropriate or incomplete information presented on the website. We also decline any liability for the contents of external links, for which only the respective webmasters are responsible.

Dreadlocks - Magic Style