All You Should Know Before Making Dreadlocks

Locks, dreads, or just dreadlocks are mostly related to Rastafari movement, but many other ethnic groups all over the world have also worn dreadlocks.

The first examples of locks are known back to Africa and Egypt. Many ancient Egyptian mummified remains prove this fact. The Old Bible recounts the tale of Samson and Delilah, where Samson’s potency is directly connected with the seven locks of his head.

When reggae became mainstream and popular in ‘70s, dreadlocks became an important fashion statement. Many actors, authors, rappers appeared with dreadlocks. Nevertheless locks are not always worn for religious or cultural reasons. People may wear dreads only for style which is very popular among the youth nowadays.  Even some fashion brands create collections inspired by Rasta and Jamaican style. In the West dreads have become popular among subcultures as hippies, punks or Goths who usually wear artificial dreads made of synthetic hair.

Reasons of making dreadlocks can vary accordingly. Spiritual or religious convictions, a political statement, ethnic pride or just a fashion preference can be the reason of making dreads.

There are many misconceptions about dreadlocks as the person with them don’t wash hair. Most of the dreadlocks need to be washed twice a week. One of the most popular misconceptions is that if one is eager to have nice dreadlocks combing is forbidden, or only black people can gain nice dreads due to their hair texture.

They are matted of hair coils. Because of the wide variety of different hair textures, there are many methods of making dreads like hair backcombing, wool hat rubbing, dread perming, twisting  or the easiest neglect method. They all have both advantages and disadvantages.

Backcombing. This process reaches maturity faster than other methods The shape and the size can be controlled, so you choose from thick and smooth to thin and attractive. But it takes much time and intensive work.

Wool hat rubbing. The advantage of this method is that you can start making locks if you happen you have something wool and you can make it yourself, but it hurts much and hair usually  needs to be cut after trying. So you have to grow out your hair enough before cutting.

Neglect. This method is the easiest and doesn’t need any special products or tools. But it takes at least three years to gain such dreads.

Dread perming. It’s like instant dreads, but it’s a chemical process and usually requires professional maintenance.

Twisting. It’s a natural method and you can choose the size and the formation of your locks. They cost lower than dread perming. But this method works only in African textured hair or Caucasian hair.

How to make dreadlocks at home

All you in for making dreadlocks is nothing more than a lot of patience and dreadlock wax.

Start with clean hair. As the natural oils make your hair slippery, it’s better to start with freshly shampooed hair. Conditioner and other  products must not be added after shampooing and the hair must be fully dry before you start.

Your hair should be sectioned into squares. Each of them will become a dreadlock. You decide how large or small the dreadlocks to be. Wide-toothed comb is needed to part your hair. For more natural look, the squares must be fashioned  in a zig-zag or brick lay format.

The hair sections must be backcombed. Place the comb in the section of hair and tease it down to your scalp. This process must be done several times. Each dread should be backcombed with the same care and patience.

Secure the dreadlocks. Each dread should have two rubber bands, the one next to the scalp and the other securing the end.

Wax the dreads. To keep your dreads from fizzing or fraying, tightening gel or a natural dread wax must be used. The whole stand must be covered with a wax or gel; the lesser, the better. The waxing process needs to be done every 2-4 week.

Dreadlocks require time before they are completely matured despite the hair texture or type. The locking process is a continuous process; the hair continues  to form tighter and tighter knots, the base of each lock continuously follows the pattern that is the more mature sections of the lock.