Dreadlocks: a hairstyle for free spirits

For centuries, dreadlocks have been associated with independence and uniqueness. For many who embrace its distinctive look and cultural significance, this hairstyle is more than just a fad—it’sa way of life. Dreadlocks make a strong statement about individuality and creativity, whether you’re drawn to them because of their lengthy history or just because you like the idea of a low-maintenance look.

Dreadlocks can be the ideal hairstyle for people who consider themselves free spirits. They exhibit a strong sense of self-identity and a rebellious spirit. Growing and caring for dreadlocks is a journey in and of itself, frequently signifying a dedication to one’s principles and sense of self. It’s important to consider how your hair makes you feel as well as how it looks.

Choosing dreadlocks is a decision to pursue authenticity and self-discovery. Every person’s dreadlock is distinct from another, and every lock has a story to tell. Dreadlocks, whether worn naturally or styled in different ways, are a powerful way to celebrate your uniqueness and express who you are.

What are dreadlocks?

There are several names for the same tangled hairstyle: locks, dreadlocks, and dreadlocks. Dreadlocks translate to "scary curls" from English, which accurately captures their essence. You must realize that dreadlocks are a type of tangle made from all of the hair or just a portion of it, such as the back of the head. They are not just braids.

By the way, you can maintain the structure of your curls because they are now made from artificial materials in addition to your own hair.

History of the appearance of the hairstyle

Who throughout history has not worn dreadlocks? Think of the ancient Egyptians and Aztecs, the Celts and Coptic Christians, the hermits in India seeking enlightenment, and the Islamic dervishes in Sudan.

Although there are differing theories regarding the origins of this hairstyle, the general consensus is that it started out naturally. In the past, people didn’t give their hair much thought because it was more important to survive in hostile environments than to regularly wash and brush their hair. For warriors, "mattled" strands were a blessing because, let’s face it, they looked scary and did not interfere with battle. Thanks to the legendary Bob Marley and other reggae artists, dreadlocks became a distinguishing characteristic of Jamaican Rastafarians in the 1930s, and in the 1960s, dreadlocks and Rastafarians themselves became wildly popular throughout the world.

Who are dreadlocks suitable for?

Even though the original dreadlocks were messy, matted tangles, they look incredibly fashionable and inventive on a modern, professional performer. Furthermore, dreadlock owners are fortunate that companies now make easy-to-use dry shampoos that allow you to restyle your hair whenever you want and give it a polished appearance.

Consider L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni dry shampoo.Art Morning After Dust efficiently absorbs extra oil from hair while remaining undetectable.

With its fine spray, Spray Matrix High Amplify Dry is unique in that it quickly cleans hair without clinging to the scalp.

Fresh Affair, Kérastase, and Other Dry Shampoos

Use dry shampoo Kérastase Fresh Affair, which is based on rice starch and enhanced with vitamin E (which prevents dry hair and scalp) and a perfume composition with notes of neroli, to remove excess sebum and give the dreadlocks a pleasant aroma. These kinds of products will be useful in between wet washing sessions. It is not permitted to layer dry shampoos every day.

  • just for all creative people and those who do not depend on the opinions of others;
  • representatives of creative professions, regardless of age;
  • not constrained by a dress code for girls and guys with both long and short hair, with or without bangs.

Not recommended Hair loss, scalp conditions, and migraines are common with dreadlocks.

Dreadlocks are also viewed as a questionable choice for business attire and the office dress code, though there are some exceptions. The most crucial factor is that your hairstyle should not go against your personal philosophy; only then will it appear appropriate and harmonious to others.

What dreadlocks look like?

If you’re still of the opinion that dreadlocks are untamed, messy, and wild, take a look at our photo gallery to convince yourself otherwise!

Women"s

Dreadlocks come in different colors and lengths for girls, depending on the features of their natural hair. Experts advise selecting the thickness of the locks based on the height and features of the body: small girls are better suited for thin dreadlocks, while tall girls and owners of curvaceous figures look great with large dreadlocks.

Men"s

Men’s locks will undoubtedly draw attention, and depending on the look, both extremely short and elongated dreadlocks are appropriate for the stronger half. The idea of dreadlocks and shaving is really intriguing.

Children

Kids enjoy experimenting with their looks, so for both boys and girls, dreadlocks can be the focal point of a vibrant appearance. If parents and educators are prepared for this, of course!

Photo ideas for hairstyles with dreadlocks

Many people believe that you can wear locks loosely only. However, the most creative dreadlock-wearing girls create a range of looks based on them. For you, we’ve selected the most intriguing and motivating pictures of women.

A simple ponytail appears extremely striking when worn with dreadlocks. Additionally, dreadlocks can be taken out and arranged into a large bun to conceal the elastic band.

To create a romantic image in the boho style, locks are often complemented with braids and complex weaves.

A dreadlock-inspired malvinka hairstyle has a very feminine appearance.

Colored dreadlocks

To make the image even more creative, masters weave colored dreadlocks. If your own hair became the basis, then they are either dyed before the dreadlocks are formed, or lengthened with the help of additional colored materials, for example kanekalon.

There are no rules here; everyone selects a shade that they like and goes with their outfit from the wide variety of colored dreads.

The only suggestion might be in relation to the hairstyle and complexion tone. Girls who identify as "winter" or "autumn" will undoubtedly be decked out in vivid hues such as red, black, platinum, purple, and rainbow.

Light hues like pink, lavender, and turquoise are better suited for spring and summer color schemes.

Fears of blue, green, and red hues as well as abrupt color changes, like going from white to black, are common among men.

Dreads split, where the right half is one color and the left is another, frequently contrasting, have gained a lot of popularity recently. Kanekalon, a "chameleon" that changes color, and kanekalon, a "fluor" that glows in the presence of ultraviolet light, are also produced by manufacturers nowadays.

Types of dreads

Which types of locks—straight and protruding in various directions, short and to the floor, or thin and voluminous—have I not seen? As it turns out, dreadlocks come in a variety of forms. Let’s all get to know them.

Safe dreadlocks

Safe dreadlocks are synthetic dreadlocks made of felt or kanekalon that are woven into the hair and fastened to natural hair braids. This method of weaving dreadlocks is preferred for people with thin or fragile hair because it prevents tangles in your own hair, preserves its structure, and removes artificial dreadlocks without causing any damage.

Safe locks have a three-month "life" before they need to be rewoven to avoid damaging the newly grown roots.

De-dreadlocks

Double Ended, or DE-dreadlocks, is an acronym for dreadlocks having two ends. Actually, this entails bending a lengthy artificial dreadlock in half and attaching the bend to the natural hair, creating a de-dreadlock with two ends. Note: The women’s de-dreads in the picture give the impression of having extremely voluminous hair.

Se-dreads

The idea behind creating SE-dreads is the same as that of DE-dreads; the only things that differ are their densities and the attachment of a single-ended (SE – Single Ended) dread to the "native" braid.

Ja-dreads

These are thin, glossy locks that were manufactured by the manufacturer rather than felted from kanekalon by the master himself. Attachment to natural hair works on the same principle as DE-dreads.

Soft-dreads

The classic felting soft-dread is volumetric and careless. Because they are airy and voluminous, they look great in both casual and shaggy settings. While natural hair can also serve as a great foundation for soft-dreads, the process will move more quickly with felt.

Industrial

There is a wire or string frame around industrial locks that is used to secure both natural hair and kanekalon. Occasionally, the wire passes through the weave. Such dreadlocks are very durable; they stand out in different directions, look futuristic, and essentially retain their original appearance for a very long time. But sleeping with them is incredibly uncomfortable, which is why this style of dreadlocks is quickly becoming less and less common.

“Dangerous” dreadlocks

The most authentic dreadlocks created with your own hair are these ones. They are considered "dangerous" because of the agonizing weaving process and the horrible condition of the hair that results from it; combing and twisting the hair severely damages the strands’ structure, and hair loss can reach 50% after unbraiding.

What length of hair can dreadlocks be made for?

Your hair should still be long enough to attach kanekalon to it even though you can lengthen it with artificial dreadlocks; for safe locks, this is at least 5 cm.

The master can work with natural hair as short as 10 cm for "dangerous" dreadlocks, and 40–50 cm is the ideal length for women’s dreadlocks. Not to mention a crucial detail that many overlook: roughly one-third of the length "goes away" when a dreadlock is woven, so short hair is inappropriate for pulling off this type of hairstyle.

Dreadlocks are a potent symbol of individuality and freedom that go beyond just a hairstyle. Dreadlocks are the best option for people who identify as free spirits because they allow people to express their individuality and defy conventional notions of beauty. This hairstyle offers a means to confidently stand out and connect with one’s roots, while also reflecting personal style and carrying deep cultural and spiritual significance.

What dreadlocks are made of: an overview of materials

Kanekalon and felt are the best materials to use when creating artificial dreadlocks.

  • Kanekalon is a synthetic fiber, the material for the production of which is obtained from Japanese seaweed. In its appearance, kanekalon is as close as possible to natural hair. In addition, it can be washed, combed, dyed, dried with a hairdryer, corrugated and curled with a curling iron.
  • Felt is rolled natural wool. Felt dreads can be easily rolled at home, but the material has several significant disadvantages. Firstly, it very quickly absorbs surrounding odors, dirt and dust. Secondly, when wet, felt dreadlocks become several times heavier than their original weight. And finally, they take a long time to dry and smell bad (of wet wool) if they are not dried well.

How dreadlocks are made: weaving technology

It will be helpful to understand the process of creating dreadlocks before deciding on them, as it is quite specific and, in the case of natural dreadlocks, can be a little painful. Weaving safe dreads requires three to five hours, while felting "dangerous" dreads requires at least five hours.

Methods for weaving fear out of Kanekalon:

  1. First of all, the Kanekalons themselves are prepared: they are separated, tightly combed, tourniquetted, compacted with a hook and processed with an iron.
  2. The master divides the entire surface of the head into squares from 1 to 2.5 cm.
  3. Kanekalon is secured with a bend at the base of the first strand with a thin silicone rubber band or threads.
  4. Weaving is carried out in any chosen way, the tip is secured with an elastic band.
  5. Weaving continues throughout the head.
  6. The master checks the dreads and, if necessary, trims protruding hairs.

It is the same procedure used to create felt-based dreads.

How to use your own hair to create dreads:

  1. All hair is divided into strands, securing them with rubber bands at the base.
  2. Then the master carefully combs each strand with a comb with frequent teeth and “sews” it with a hook, forming a voluminous and dense dreadlock.
  3. The master can make dreadlocks with free ends (they are left untouched) or fix the ends of the hair inside the tangles with a hook.

Regardless of the technique you select, you need to nourish the ends of the hair with a leave-in product before felting and braiding. Although it might not seem like much, wearing dreadlocks will shield the strands from split ends and dryness.

Experts at SalonSecret recommend the following products: serum Blond Absolu Cicanuit from Kérastase, oil Absolut Repair 10 in 1 from L’Oréal Professionnel, and sealer Extreme Length from Redken.

How to care for dreadlocks?

The maintenance of hair that has been braided into locks differs greatly from what most girls are accustomed to. In the event that you choose to go with this hairstyle, there are a few subtleties you should be aware of.

  • The first month after braiding dreadlocks, washing your hair under ban. At this stage, the dreadlocks are just forming, and moisture will prevent them from taking the shape intended by the master.
  • Then you need to wash the dreadlocks only once or twice a week – for cleaning, the masters advise using tar soap or shampoo without silicones, for example Matrix Total Results High Amplify.
  • Water for washing should be at room temperature, take a smaller amount of cleanser than usual.
  • Separately, once every three days, you can wash your scalp, doing a massage to improve blood flow.
  • Hair masks, conditioners and balms are strictly contraindicated for dreadlocks – their use can lead to the fact that locks will dissolve prematurely.
  • If irritation or you appeared on the scalp Itching torments, you can use soothing low -fat products from a pharmacy without alcohol content.

How to shut up dreadlocks?

How to take out dreadlocks is a question that I’m sure many girls would like to know the answer to, in addition to myself. Experts all agree that such beauty truly calls for some compromises. It takes several hours to untangle natural locks, which is an equally labor-intensive process as the weaving itself.

1. To make untangling easier, the master first trims the ends of the dreadlocks by a few centimeters.

2. After soaking the hair in extremely hot water to soften it, the locks are cleaned with an intense cleansing shampoo, like Redken Hair Cleansing Cream or Matrix High Amplify Root Up Wash, which is used by professionals.

3. The dreadlocks are given an air conditioner treatment after being washed all the way through. Redken All Soft Mega is ideal for these uses since it softens and nourishes hair while gently smoothing even extremely dry and brittle hair.

4. At last, the master starts to unravel the stiffons; he uses a metal crest or a knitting hook for this.

5. After combing through all of the dreadlocks, you’ll need to apply a mask to repair, like L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Gold, which contains quinoa extract and wheat protein. The mask deeply nourishes the hair strands, giving them a noticeable softness, reviving damaged areas, and adding shine.

Dreadlock removers describe taking them out as a painful process, and they do not recommend untangling them yourself. In a situation like this, SalonSecret experts advise putting your trust in a professional to untangle the hair with the least amount of damage. Removing katekalon in a salon is also safer.

Do they cut the hair after removing dreadlocks?

It is possible to keep your dreadlocks long if you take your time untangling them and give your hair special attention afterward, nourishing and moisturizing it. However, many still choose to have a haircut a while after getting their locks cut to remove any severely damaged ends.

Tag Description
Dreadlocks A unique hairstyle where hair is matted and twisted into locks.
Free Spirit Perfect for those who embrace individuality and a relaxed lifestyle.
Maintenance Requires regular upkeep to keep the locks neat and tidy.
Styles Can be worn long, short, or with various decorations like beads.
History Has cultural significance in many societies, from Rastafarian to ancient civilizations.

Dreadlocks are more than just a hairstyle; they stand for an individualistic way of life. They represent independence and a link to more profound cultural and ancestry for a great deal of people. Adopting dreadlocks can be a liberating decision that gives you the freedom to express yourself in a genuine and distinctive way.

Selecting dreadlocks is a journey that requires perseverance and commitment. It’s important to consider both the process of raising and preserving them in addition to the final product. Dreadlocks provide an opportunity to stand out and celebrate your individual style, whether you are drawn to them for their unique appearance or their rich historical significance.

In the end, dreadlocks are a dynamic and adaptable hairstyle that can fit a variety of tastes and personalities. Dreadlocks are a great way to experiment with a look that’s as distinctive as you are, whether you’re a carefree person or appreciate the upkeep and attention they require. They care about how you feel and stand for in addition to how you appear.

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Maria Sokolova

Hairdresser-colorist, passionate researcher of new coloring techniques. Always in the search for fresh ideas to create unique color solutions. I am inspired by natural shades and fashion trends to create unique looks for everyone.

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