You’ve been thinking about growing your hair into dreadlocks for a long time, but don’t forget to budget for the hair products you’ll need. Maybe because you think the style looks great, or you want a long-term low maintenance style, or you’re following your own inner spirit. But whatever the reason you finally decide that dreads are for you, you need to know that making and wearing dreadlocks are a commitment as well as an adventure! Unlike other hairstyles, dreadlocks take time (up to four or five months or more) to really become the look you want. And to form them, keep them neat, and keep them healthy, you need to explore the world of hair products designed specifically with dreadlocks in mind.
There are many methods of forming dreads, but the one that seems to work the best is backcombing. This is a process that can take hours, depending on how long your hair is, and for which
you need hair products like combs that are strong enough to allow you to form tight dreads. Dread wax is used during the formation phase and also to maintain your dreads as they grow. Using a wax that is formulated to moisturize your hair while helping to keep the dreads neat is very important to your overall look and enjoyment of your new hair style. Wax is especially helpful for those with straight hair, but if you have very curly hair you may just need a creme. There are also cremes for helping detangle dreads if you want to change styles.
Shampoos and conditioners for dreadlocks are also specifically formulated. You need to use hair products that are very low residue so that the dreads stay very clean. Contrary to popular belief among people who know little about this style, cleanliness is important when you’ve got dreads; unclean hair will not make really good dreadlocks and will promote poor scalp and hair health. It’s a good idea to look for shampoos and other hair care products that will not have a drying effect on your hair or scalp as that will lead to itchiness and dried-out looking dreads. If you do experience itchiness and drying, there are hair products you can use to spray on your scalp and dreads to remoisturize them and to provide relief. These are often scented, as well, so you need to be sure they are low residue.
Salons and the internet are excellent sources of these and other products you’ll need, as well as product reviews and lots of advice for starting your hair adventure!
Photo: r. s. m. b. Sees