Preparing your mind for Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are something that represents a social, fashion, and cultural phenomenon. People will identify them with you just as you identify people with Piercings, Tattoos, or tribal marks.
Preparing your mind and hair for dreadlocks is more of a journey than a one-day thing and is similar to caring for a newborn child. You will be the centre of attraction during the premiere of your dreadlocks, you will notice a lot of stares from all kinds of people.
Soon after some time, people will get used to your new hot fashion style and you will notice less of the staring. Many famous people like Bob Marley, Jennifer Anniston, Lil Wayne, Jack’s character in Pirates of the Caribbean, and Lauryn Hill have all worn dreadlocks.
Dreadlocks have gathered a lot of misconceptions in recent times and the most common are that all people who wear dreadlocks smoke ‘marijuana’ and don’t bathe so are dirty and smell. Some of these negative people will want to de-associate themselves from you and discourage you from wearing them.
The thing is that you can’t control how everyone feels and thinks about you, it is what these people feel within themselves and has nothing to do with you so they try to push what they don’t want within themselves onto you. As you know people always fear what they do not understand.
It baffles me that people with chemically enhanced hair are accepted in society and dreadlocks which are a natural style, free of chemicals are seen as a disease! -that’s a wrong misconception.
If you want dreadlocks, don’t make what negative people feel within themselves hinder you from having those locs. Who cares what everyone thinks as long as you are happy.
READ THIS NEXT: Facts and Myths about Dreadlocks
How to Prepare your hair for dreads
Although the question of who should wear locs is frequently debated, the style hasn’t always been associated with people of African heritage.
Locs have been worn by members of numerous religions and civilizations, including Hindus and ancient Israelites, since at least ancient Greece.
1. Only use non-residue shampoo.
Wash your hair with non-residue shampoo for a couple of months. Non-residue shampoo allows your hair to retain any natural oils. These cause your hair to be greasy and so will require some amount of time before it gets used to this- so head-wear is recommended.
2. Stop with conditioners
Your hair will dread considerably much slower if you are using conditioners so it is advisable to stop using these for 1-2 months before you start your dreadlocks.
3. Eat healthily
When you eat healthy foods like foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, your hair will come out healthy and stronger which leads to a more impressive, lion-like mane.
4. Stop perming your hair(African hair textures)
Perms lead to a slower dreading process so it is advisable to stop perming your hair 1-to 2 months before dreading.
5. Keep your hair at least 15cm long
During the dreading process, your hair will lose about 4-8cm of its length so it is advisable you grow your hair to at least 15cm long before you decide on wearing dreads.
6. If your hair is dyed /coloured
Before your appointment for dreading, juice a whole lemon, strain it and spray/sponge into hair and leave to dry.
7. Dreadlock time
When it comes to preparing your mind and hair for dreadlocks, patience is key to your journey, particularly if you have got fine, straight hair. Dreading your hair, keeping the dreads, and looking ahead to them growing all would require a lot of patience because good things take time. However, as you watch your locks bloom, all your work, effort, and maintenance will be well worth it. Dreadlocks can take anywhere from 6-10 hours depending on the length and thickness of your hair.
