What are Dreadlocks?

Dreadlocks are popular amongst Afro-Caribbean clients, but have become popular over a diverse community. Dreadlocks are a natural style. They can be formed using your natural hair or with extensions.

Suitability

Your hair must be at least 4inches long. Dreadlocks is suitable for any type of hair: fine, course or medium hair textures.

The Process

To form dreadlocks, it generally takes around 3 - 6 months for the locking process to take shape. Dreadlocks can be done using the single strand method or the double strand method. Again, depending on the hair textures. The formation of dreadlocks is the most important process. This should be done with a professional hair stylist, as this can make or break the forming of the dreadlocks. Dreadlocks can be achieved with your natural hair or you can use extension hair, choosing from a variety of hair fibre.

Aftercare

From the initial stage of dreadding which could take from 2 - 3 hours, it is reccomended that you attend a monthly visit to your stylist. Each dreadlock takes 3 - 6 months to locks with regular visits to your stylist, this process can be achieved, creating the desired look. It is also reccomended you maintain regular conditioning treatments monthly. This will help the dreadlocks to grow thicker and stronger.

Caring For Your Dreads

To maintain shiny dreads and to remove any residue, follow this lock maintenance recipe.

·  Wash locks with a clarifying shampoo.

·  After shampoo is rinsed from hair and locks are squeezed to remove as much water as possible, soak your locks in Apple Cider       Vinegar.

·  Pour it on the scalp from the roots and then down on each individual lock.

Leave Apple Cider Vinegar on the hair for about 10-12 minutes. Cover locks with a plastic cap and wrap head with a warm towel.

·  Rinse hair with warm water thoroughly to ensure all or any build-up has been removed from the hair.

This hair treatment can be done every two weeks or possibly once a month - depending on the condition of the hair. This handy recipe adds sheen to locks keeping them looking well maintained and manageable.

Used as a hair rinse, vinegar neutralizes the alkali left by shampoos. This recipe can be used for all hair types to add sheen and softness to your hair. Don't forget to try a patch test first to ensure you have no allergic reactions.

NATURAL HAIR OILS FOR DREADS AND NATURAL STYLES:

It's usually hard to find the right hair oil for ethnic and multi-ethnic women. Many products claim to be "everything" but really offer "nothing".

When looking for a good hair oil, opt for the natural hair oils. Whatever you do stay away from petroleum, waxy oils or petrolatum. What these man-made products do is cause build-up on the hair and scalp. These products don't allow the hair and scalp to breathe which can be detrimental to proper hair growth.

To keep your curls and dreads healthy, try the following natural essential oil moisturizers:

·  Patchouli Oil - Adds moisture and sheen to dreads.

·  Sage Oil - Stimulates growth and is said to kill bacteria.

·  Rosemary Oil - Adds sheen to hair, stimulates growth is said to be good at fighting dandruff.

·  Sweet Almond Oil - Great for fighting a dry, itchy scalp. Contains vitamins E and F. Also good for itchy scalp.

·  Primrose Oil - Conditiions and moisturizes hair.

·  Jojoba Oil - Great for adding moisture to a dry scalp. Jojoba oil smoothes and conditions hair.

·  Avocado Oil - Contains vitamins A, D, and E.

·  Birch Oil - Great anti-dandruff scalp soother.

·  Calendula Oil - Light astringent. Is said to soothe the scalp and eczema problems.

·  Olive or Extra Olive Oil - An excellent leave-in conditioner

Here is a selection ofnatural dreadlocks on type 1 type 2 hair  (This hair texture is  Caucasian hair). Dreadlocks can still be done on this hair type. However, locs look best and last longer on hair that is course/curly.

As you can see, this young man has naturally wavy and curly hair with some straight hair in certain areas. Although his hair is not as tightly curled as the men above, his dreadlocks are still maintaining the lock.

Locs started with this hair texture is usually teased to enhance the texture to add more thickness to the hair so that the hair can loc much easier. Then the hair is twisted.

Hair usually requires a locking product like wax or a pomade to keep each lock in place since the hair is naturally silkier and requires some assistance to maintain the loc formation.

The unique, relaxed style of this particular look adds a casual twist as the hair is tied up again in a loose knot to keep the hair off of the face.

You can also pull your dreads back off of your face with a band. This can add both style and comfort.