Dreadlocks are an unconventional hairstyle that sometimes struggles with stereotypes. Here we clarify the most important questions!
What are dreadlocks?
- Dreadlocks (also called dreads) are strands of consistently matted hair . They can arise naturally or be induced artificially.
- They are often referred to as Rastas or Rastalocken, but these terms include basically hairstyles such as Cornrows or Braids. In general, the name Rasta refers to the followers of the Rastafarian culture.
- Dreadlocks can be an expression of religious or cultural affiliation. In addition, they have established themselves in various sub and pop cultures. Meanwhile, they are also established in this country as an unconventional hairstyle.
Dreadlocks do: preliminary considerations
- In general, you should think twice about whether you want to have dreads, as they are initially associated with a relatively high amount of time and the hair structure in the truest sense of the word completely destroyed. That is, if you no longer want to have the hairstyle, either just a short haircut or a partly only possible, laborious combing out helps (only possible if the dreads are still quite young). That the hair is broken after this procedure, should be understandable!
- Remember that dreadlocks contract in the first few months due to the felting process and sometimes shrink by half their length. Your hair should already have a good length.
- Dreadlocks require a lot of effort at the beginning and also during the time – who does not invest this time, has fast unkempt dreads.
Make dreadlocks yourself: yes or no?
Dreadlocks are made professional by some hairdressers or individuals. The high time required for dreadlocks is reflected in the price. Here you should pay attention to experience and reviews.
Dreadlocks can also be done by yourself or with the help of good friends. Especially at the back of the head it is virtually impossible to make dreads, as the position for the arms becomes very exhausting. The most important thing: bring along a lot of stamina and patience and plan to spend several days!
Dreadlocks do: That’s how it works
Important: To make dreadlocks, your hair should be freshly washed and dry!
How to create a dread:
- Divide a strand from the rest of the scalp with a style comb. Attention: If you want even dreads, you should be careful to keep the strands evenly thick.
- Two centimeters after the scalp, you begin to toup the hair to the scalp with a Nissenkamm. While doing so, hold the strand tight and pull it out again and again. So you work each section by a few inches ago, until you have reached the tips of hair. In the meantime, rubbing the streak between both palms can help – with this method, the hair additionally matts and the shape of the dread is defined.
- Then, the matted strand is solidified by repeatedly using a crochet hooking hair protruding and pulled into the center of the dread. Depending on the hair length, the whole procedure per dread can take a long time. Especially the rework with the crochet hook pays off, because this step prevents the dreadlocks from rising again, especially in the first time! It is a matter of taste whether the hair tips are left open or felted in by folding them over.
Tip: It’s best to wait up to a week with the first hair wash to make sure the dreadlocks have already solidified.
Can you wash dreadlocks?
Yes of course! Dreadlocks can be washed as well as other hair. Say: Wet your hair, soap it with a small amount of shampoo or soap and rinse thoroughly . Just be sure to use a shampoo without conditioner . Even a conditioner has nothing to do with dreadlocks, since the hair should not be maintained, but matted. The only drawback: Depending on the thickness and length, dreadlocks may take several hours to dry . Always make sure that the dreads dry well and you do not sleep with wet hair – this could cause mold in the dreads of thicker dreadlocks! Better: blow dry hair if necessary – that also promotes felting!
Which shampoo for dreadlocks?
I use an antidandruff shampoo and have had good experiences with it. Others swear by pear or olive soap – and here you have to test whether the scalp can handle the soap. Dead Sea Salt Shampoo is also often recommended.
How often should you wash dreadlocks?
That depends on the personal feeling and above all the lifestyle. Generally, the scalp does less if it is washed less often. I wash my hair once or twice a week.
Dread care
Especially in the first half year, the dreadlocks change constantly. You should carry out the following care points regularly and then according to your needs in the first few months:
- Felt-in approach : screw in dreads at the base and use a crochet hook to pull the loose hair into the dread.
- Folded-together dreadlocks : Here, either careful tearing or a small pair of scissors will help. Just with the pair of scissors, you should ask someone else for help at the back of your head. Then work the loose hair into the dread.
- Bringing Dreads into Shape: Dreadlocks sometimes have a life of their own – depending on how thoroughly they worked in the beginning, they contract in different thicknesses, do not even matt at all or form knobs. Here it helps to rub the dread more often between the palms of the hands and to work regularly with the crochet hook.