Are Dreadlocks For You?

 Basic methods used in starting dreadlocks

  Basic dreadlock care information page

Are Dreadlocks for you?

Is your mind ready?

Starting dreadlocks is easy.  The decision to start them, often is not.  It requires strength of character and for people of African descent, a good amount of re-conditioning of your thoughts.  We need to cast off the racial insecurity that has been bred into us from the times of our forefathers. 

As people of African descent, we’ve been conditioned to believe in the Western standard of beauty (long, straight hair).  We fail to realize that our hair flourishes when it’s left in its natural curly (or nappy) state.  Just look at the glorious manes of people with dreadlock hairstyles. Think back to how large afros were when they were in style.

This does not mean that people who choose to wear their hair straightened are 'less' Black. They just choose to wear their hair a different way, just as we choose to wear dreadlocks. However, as more people begin to appreciate other standards of beauty, wearing dreadlocks has become a symbol of pride and acceptance of hair in its natural state.

You should ask yourself a few questions before starting dreadlocks.

• Are you prepared for a couple of years of short nappy hair?

• Are you prepared to deal with the misconceptions about dreadlocks from family, friends, coworkers and even religious leaders? (One of the most difficult parts of having dreadlocks is coping with the stigmas attached to wearing them and society’s misconceptions about them.)

Common misconceptions about dreadlocks include:

• Dreadlocks are dirty and smelly.

We have a sneaking suspicion that this rumor is based on the fact that when first locking their hair, many forgo using shampoo because it makes the locs unravel.  Most people with dreadlocs know that there are many ways to keep the scalp clean during this process (astringents, sudsless shampoos).  The reality is anyone, of any race or hair type who doesn't wash their hair will have dirty, smelly hair... period.  Dirty hair is determined by how often the person washes it, not the hairstyle they wear.

• You can't wash dreadlocks.

You can wash them the same way anyone else washes their hair.  However, as your hair grows, you will require more shampoo and more drying time.

• People who wear dreadlocks all smoke marijuana.

Not everyone who wears dreadlocks, smokes marijuana, and not everyone who smokes marijuana has dreadlocks.

Is your job ready?

Many of us have corporate jobs and are concerned with how this style choice will be taken by our corporate peers.  Please keep in mind that we accept others hair textures and they should accept our curly hair as well.  A person should be able to wear their hair whichever way they want.  However, this is not the case in quite a few societies.

• Check around to see if your job allows them.  If you see other people, that do the same type of job as you do, wearing them in your workplace, it is safe to say that you may wear them also.  Keep in mind that some companies/professions have established specific rules about dress and grooming. You may need to investigate these.  In some professions it's just not good to have hair, of any type, flopping around (think surgeons or food prep personnel).  Consider these things before beginning dreadlocks. 

Is your hair ready?

Glorious dreadlocks are not achieved overnight and many people don't have the patience or confidence to wait through the starting stages.

• Have you cut off your old perm and allowed a few inches of new growth to grow?

If you are confident enough to let the world see your nappy hair as you progress to full-blown dreadlocks and it won't interfere with your livelihood or personal life, then dreadlocks are for you. 

I’m enjoying the new trend toward wearing dreadlocks.  It means that people of African descent are finally saying “my hair is nappy and I’m okay with that”.