I have dreadlocks. AMA

[DreadsVanLocksDarling]

Not that it matters, not that it's a big deal, not that you (should) care but if you've ever wanted to ask someone with dreadlocks a question or if you think of any now, feel free to ask me.

Anything at all, doesn't matter how it comes across. Happy to answer

My ex had dreadlocks but I don't think he cared for them very well as pieces of them would fall off. What do you do to care for them and keep them in good condition?

How do you make your hair go into dreadlocks?

And yes, once they're in dreadlocks, how do you care for them and keep them clean and nice?

Does your head/hair smell?

I've never got that close to anyone with dreadlocks but they look like they must stink.

How do you look after them and wash them? And actually how does one get dreadlocks, do they form on their own or do you need to create them? Finally, how do they smell? Thanks, I've always wondered these things, but never knew anyone to ask!

Ok I'll go there. Are you black?

How do you find people react to you compared to when you had no dreadlocks?

Yes I have sometimes wondered if they smell bad.

Does it hurt having dreadlocks? They are always plaited so tight to the scalp, they look uncomfortable.

Also how long does it take to a head of dreadlocks? Do you do it yourself or get someone else to do it?

How long do you go before you take out the dreadlocks and redo them?

@StartingGridGo

Does your head/hair smell?

I've never got that close to anyone with dreadlocks but they look like they must stink.

How tactful.

Do they smell?

If you don't want them any more how do you un-dread them?

Can you unplait them? I'm assuming they are plaited.
Why did you decide to have dreadlocks?

@NotJustACigar

My ex had dreadlocks but I don't think he cared for them very well as pieces of them would fall off. What do you do to care for them and keep them in good condition?

Mine are freeform. So I don't manipulate them much besides separating those that are locking with each other from weird corners of the head 😀.

I wash them with a mild shampoo (Aveeno skin relief is what works for me and DD's sensitive scalp). Towel dry and apply petroleum jelly sparingly all over the hair and edges. I brush them off a little bit with a soft fuzzy brush (like you would with lint roller brush) to get fluff out. That's it. It stays soft and moisturised and mostly fluff free. Can't escape all the fluff due to the natural texture of our hair - lint magnet.

I also spray them with water (spray bottle) and apply the jelly again in between washes to keep them moisturised. I wash mine twice a week.

going-natural.com/dreadlocks-vs-locs-an-intense-debate-about-the-origin-meaning/

Do they pull your scalp? How long did they take to form or did you put them in as it were? I quite like the idea myself but my hair is naturally really greasy so i doubt it would work.

Are they comfortable? They look like they would tug on your scalp. Can you sleep on them?

@zafferana

How do you make your hair go into dreadlocks?

And yes, once they're in dreadlocks, how do you care for them and keep them clean and nice?

Due to the nature of our hair - afro textured (what some would call 4c), it's a loc haven. That is it's nature - to loc up. Even before I had them, my hair was constantly trying to lock up and I kept combing them out or keeping them stretched or straightening them. I just left it to do it's thing.

Always told DD that our hair strands love each other so much, they enjoy cuddling and holding hands. So when I finally let them loc, we just said they're finally happy to hurdle together and hold hands 😀

See my last post for your second question
I have always liked 'Alice bands' and my hair is fine-textured so I often wear a band over them. DD's are thicker and alice bands can't sit on hers (not that she cares😀) so they're either left loose or packed up in a ponytail.

Do you have to shave your head to get rid of them?

How do they grow, does the new hair naturally form into the dreadlock shape?

A friend just got rid of theirs. I’ve never known them without and barely recognise them now.
Not a question, sorry!

@StartingGridGo

Does your head/hair smell?

I've never got that close to anyone with dreadlocks but they look like they must stink.

It's the stereotype, yes but it's like every other hair type/style. If you keep it clean/washed, it won't stink. If you don't, it will. If you sweat easily/heavily, more chances of it stinking if not washed. If you don't, less chance. Nothing to do with it being locked.

Ours don't - DD always told me when mine did when I used to leave it longer before washing. So I started washing every other day (about 3 times a week) but it's too much work to do so everyother day, hence twice a week and it's stink free. DD's is once a week because she loathes water on her hair/face but luckily, hers don't stink even when it was left for 2 weeks as a test. We agreed once a week is best because her scalp becomes a bit dry if left for more than that.

So good hygiene and knowing what works for you is important - locs or not.

What does 4c mean?

Does your head itch more?

Thanks for doing this thread OP, it’s so interesting.

Could I ask if you have dreadlocks for religious reasons or a style choice?

Thank you so much for this thread OP, I find it a totally fascinating topic! The questions I have have already been asked (mostly about how you would 'unloc' them if you wanted) but also do you need to wear that headcap thingy (so sorry can't remember the name) at night to keep moisture in your hair?

Also have you had much hostility/negativity because of them? I'm not sure what 4c locs look like, would you be willing to post a photo?

Do they ever make you feel claustrophobic?
If I've had my hair tied up for a while or when I wear it curly so I've not combed it I get a real urge to really scrub my scalp and run my finger through my hair