Dreadlocks have made a cultural resurgence in recent years. While often being associated with music icons such as Bob Marley and hip-hop stars, you’ll see more normal people sporting this striking hairstyle than ever before.
Dreadlocks have also been a common hairstyle throughout human history, having a prominent presence in many ancient civilizations.
But can anyone get dreads? Which hair type is most suited? Let’s have a look.
The best hair type for dreadlocks
Okay, here’s the good news; anyone with any hair type can create good dreadlocks. The bad news is the difficulty of such a task varies greatly depending on what hair type you have.
We wish it was easy, but like with most things your success will rest upon you. The more work you put in, the greater the reward you’ll get back.
For example, if you have naturally tightly coiled hair (hair type number 4), the chances of you achieving an impressive crop of dreadlocks are pretty high. Your hair already has a predisposition to twisting and curling, thus you will find it easier to implement the stages to form dreads.
On the flip side, if you have naturally straight hair, or hair type 1, your journey towards dreads will be one of significant frustration. Straight hair is already very difficult to style, and since dreads are one of the hardest styles to pull off, you may find your motivation slipping at various times.
This doesn’t mean you can’t reach the finish line however, there is plenty of straight-haired folk out there who have conquered this challenge, but you must be prepared to put in the work.
Dreadlocks Require A Lot of Work
The first thing you should know about dreads is they require constant maintenance and care no matter what your hair type is.
While there are plenty of fantastic tutorials online that take you through the step-by-step process of various techniques used to form your own dreadlocks, the overall procedure is the same.
Dreads are created by constantly wrapping and twisting your hair as tightly as possible. To keep these man-made coils in place you can use special dreadlock products like lock gels, which will aid you significantly. Once you’ve figured out how to keep your hair in this state, the rest of the process is one of meticulous management.
Growing healthy dreads requires commitment and discipline over a long period. You also need to be comfortable going without washing your hair more than once every 2 weeks, as this would rinse away the natural oils and product that is keeping your strands in the position they need to be in.
Maintaining Healthy and Clean Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks require a significant amount of maintenance to keep them looking healthy and clean. Here are some tips to help you keep your dreadlocks in great condition:
- Use the right products: There are many products on the market that are specifically designed for dreadlocks. These include shampoos, conditioners, and gels. Look for products that are free of harsh chemicals and contain natural ingredients that can help to nourish and strengthen your hair.
- Avoid washing your hair too often: While it’s important to keep your dreadlocks clean, washing your hair too often can strip away the natural oils that keep your hair healthy and moisturized. Try to wash your hair no more than once every two weeks, and use a gentle shampoo that won’t dry out your hair.
- Be gentle when washing and drying your hair: When washing your hair, be gentle to avoid pulling or tugging on your dreadlocks. Use a mild shampoo and work it into your hair gently, taking care not to scrub too hard. When drying your hair, use a towel to gently squeeze out excess water, and avoid rubbing your hair vigorously.
- Protect your hair at night: To keep your dreadlocks from getting tangled or damaged while you sleep, consider wearing a satin or silk bonnet or wrapping your hair in a silk scarf. This will help to prevent friction and keep your hair smooth and tangle-free.
- Avoid using heating tools: Heat can be damaging to dreadlocks, so try to avoid using hot tools like hair dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. If you must use these tools, use a heat protectant spray and keep the temperature on the lowest setting possible.
In summary
With all the different variations of hair that exist, it’s good news that dreadlocks can be achieved by anyone.
Before you decide to climb this mountain, we’d strongly suggest you evaluate your own individual hair type and make a note of the condition it is in. Sometimes it may not be worth the toil and struggle, and you should watch a good amount of video tutorials so you can educate yourself on the work involved.
We have nothing but respect for those who stand out from the crowd with their glorious dreadlocks. We know the blood, sweat and tears it has taken to get them, and we can only stand in awe.
If you decide to take this on, we wish you luck.
