Welcome to Essence of Locks,

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING DREADLOCKS

If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably thinking about starting dreadlocks. Dreads exude a radiance that’s striking and also make for a meaningful statement. However, there are a few things you need to know before starting dreadlocks. Think it’s time to get loc’d up? Here are things you should know.

You don’t have to shave your head 

While it’s true that shaving your head is a good way to start dreadlocks, it is not the only option. Many people prefer to comb out their locs even though it requires them putting in some hours or weeks before they get the results they desire. So you don’t really have to worry about cutting your hair as combing them out will still give you a lot of lengths to play with afterwards. 

There are different ways to start them 

Before starting dreadlocks, you need to know what type you are looking for. Thankfully, all hair textures can form locs but the methods to achieve it are not the same. Here are a few:

· Organically/Freeform: This is the easiest way of starting dreads as it involves washing your hair and never detangling it via combing. The key to this method is patience. 

· Two strand twists: This method is popular because it allows for versatility. Start by putting your hair in two strand twists and then be patient for the lines in the twists to disappear. 

· Braids: Braids are great because they minimize the risk of shrinkage and also allow for versatility. However, your braiding pattern may remain visible after years of wear. 

· Comb coils: You will need the services of a loctician, who will section your hair and use a rattail comb to tightly cool the hair. 

· Instant locs: This is the fastest way to get results and it involves using a crochet hook to intertwine your natural hair together so you get a loc in one sitting versus a loc forming and solidifying on its own. 

Know the phases of growth

After starting dreadlocks, you need to let them grow. Loc growth can be grouped into four phases: 

· Budding phase: This stage can last up to 16 weeks, depending on your hair texture. The locs starting budding and are soft but begin to harden as they mature. It’s best to use only light-weight soluble ingredients to prevent buildup. 

· Baby loc phase: Your hair begins to form itself into actual loc as a result of the budding and detangling of the hair strands within the loc. The process can continue up to a year and it is recommended to use minimal products on them. 

· Teenage phase: This is the stage at which your locs become bigger than their initial size during budding. They also become harder and this may continue for up to 18 months. 

· Adult phase: This is the final stage of your locs journey and it is characterized by a normal size and less fuzzy hair. They will no longer expand but only grow longer. 

You can wash your dreads 

There’s a growing misconception that people should never wash their dreads or they should wash them just twice a year. That’s a bad advice that can make your dreads unclean, leading to dandruff and a lot of buildup. You should wash your hair every 2-3 weeks without any worries of damage. 

Wrap-up 

Dreadlocks don’t happen overnight, so you will need to be patient on your locs journey. You should also consider investing in natural hair care products for dreads as synthetic ones may cause buildup.