Dreadlocks are a symbol of cultural pride and a celebration of your natural beauty. It takes work to lock your hair, but once it is fully locked, you will see that the time it takes to grow your locks is worth it.

Hair that is tightly curled or kinky is best for developing dreadlocks the quickest. Your hair must be chemical-free in order to dread it. Generally speaking, relaxed or permed hair will not lock. Therefore, you should either grow the chemicals out of your hair, or you have to cut the relaxed areas. Consider wearing your hair in braids for several months until you have enough new growth to manipulate your hair into locks.

Will your hair lock?

Caucasian hair or hair that is naturally silky can also be locked with some persistence and time. Ask a friend to help you lock the back and other hard-to-reach areas in your hair. You will need a wide-toothed comb to comb-through your hair. You may also use a rattail comb, a small comb with a long, thin handle to twirl your hair. Begin your locks after washing your hair. Neatly part your wet hair into large sections if your hair is particularly thick and coarse. Plait the large sections or use combs to keep the sections separated from the area where you will begin your first locks. Now, take a large section of hair and part it into a thin section. Make sure that your parts are neat, and as straight as possible. The size of the sections will depend on the size of your desired dreadlocks. Thicker sections will result in large dreadlocks, like Bob Marley’s locks. Thinner sections will result in thinner locks. Thin locks are easier to manipulate into styles, but thicker locks may be easier to maintain, because you won’t have as many locks to touch up.

Beginning Your Locks

Don’t go product-crazy. Hair products do not create dreadlocks. The style is created by the manipulation of the hair and a natural disintegration process. When beginning your locks, some products are better than others. Avoid using beeswax unless it is natural with no artificial color. Beeswax with additives, like petroleum, can clump in your hair and be a nightmare to wash out. Gels have the tendency to flake into white patches. Try to use an all-natural product in your hair. Pure, unprocessed coconut oil may be a good option. Though expensive, pure shea butter may also be a good alternative. Some stylists have been known to use aloe vera as well. Natural products smell great, and there are no worries if it gets on your face while you sleep. Again, avoid using petroleum or anything containing petroleum in your hair. Use a small amount – a tiny dab – of your chosen styling product on each section. You are not trying to glue the hair together! Some dreadlock wearers forego products all-together.

There are several methods for beginning dreadlocks. For example, you can twist each section into “curls” that look like tight candy curls. The rattail comb is used for the one-strand twists. This specialized comb could be found in most major beauty supply stores. Start these twists by taking the long, thin handle of the rattail comb and neatly wrap a thin section of hair around it.

Try creating the single twists without the rattail comb. Simply roll a section of hair between the palms of your hands. This is called the palm rolling technique. You can also take two sections and twist them together in a two-strand twist. The two-strand twists will hold the style better than the single twists. Simply take two strands and twist them together – similar to braiding, but with two sections instead of three.

In either method you use for starting your locks, attempt to make each dreadlock about the same size. Once your hair is locked, the only way to remove them is to cut them out. Neat parts create a more manicured look, and they will guide you when you style your hair. If it is at all possible, let your baby dreadlocks dry naturally. It’s a good idea to avoid direct heat on your hair. Keep your locks neat, and avoid getting lint in them by wrapping your hair in a satin scarf. You can also sleep on a silk or satin pillow.

Caring for your locks

Yes. People with dreadlocks do wash their hair. You should wash your hair, too! Try to keep from washing your hair for at least three weeks when you begin with your baby locks. The trick is to wash your hair as carefully as possible without removing the locks. Do not use conditioner. Use a shampoo that will easily wash completely out of your hair. After washing your hair, re-do the locks that unraveled. You can buy metal clips; they resemble tiny hair barrettes with hinges, to hold each lock in place. These silver clips are found in beauty supply stores, and they are commonly used to hold dreadlocks in place. Tighten all of the locks that have loosened at the root. After your first wash, you will probably end up re-locking most of the coils. Place the clips close to your scalp. They should hold the locks together near the roots. When your hair dries, you should remove the clips.

Continue this process after every shampoo, and your hair will eventually begin to hold together on its own. Locks tend to expand as they get older. As your hair grows, you can wet your hair and plait a group of about six locks together to help tighten the actual lock. If you let your locked hair dry completely, you will have a cool curly, crinkle look.

It takes months to create dreadlocks. The length of time depends on your hair’s texture. Do not tighten your locks more than once every two weeks. Over tightening can weaken your hair, causing your locks to break. Longer, thicker, dreadlocks may eventually thin out and break as they get heavier. This is a natural process and will not distract from your style as long as your hair is cared for properly. If you do not tighten your hair at least every couple of months, your locks may begin to join together. It will also be more difficult to separate them at the root for grooming.

Color can perk up your look, but it’s best to use all natural coloring agents. Henna is great to use! Chemicals are harsh, and possibly dangerous when left in your hair or absorbed in your scalp. It is difficult to wash the chemicals out of your locks. If you feel that you absolutely must have your hair colored with chemicals, hire a professional stylist who specializes in dreadlocks. Traditional hair stylists may or may not know how to work with dreadlocks; therefore, it is best that you seek stylists who work with natural or chemical-free hair. Patience is the key to having beautiful, healthy dreadlocks. Your hair will go through an ugly phase, but stick through it! It’s worth it, and you’ll have a head full of lovely locks in the end.