At this point, I think everyone knows one or two people who carry dreadlocks. In your neighborhood, school, or workplace, one person or group of people carries dreadlocks and just stands out in the crowd. Dreadlocks are not the most common hairdo you find people with, but they are one unisex hairdo where you can be sure to find almost as many men with them as women. A hairstyle that we know to originate from Rastafarian Jamaicans like Bob Marley, it has now become a common way to style natural hair or generally make a protective hairstyle with just hair or added extensions. Dreadlocks and locs mean the same thing, so I will be using both terms interchangeably.

What is the purpose of dreadlocks?

Dreadlocks basically mean ropes of hair or hair that is twisted and locked so the twists don’t loosen. There are people born with naturally locked hair, often called Dada in Nigeria, and many tribes in Africa lock their hair for religious purposes or as a signature of their lifestyle. The purpose of locs in recent times has been the recent trend of wearing protective hairstyles for healthy hair. The search for a hairdo that is long-lasting and protective led many people to make the choice of locking their hair. There is another popular reason too, which is that locking your hair can increase its length and volume. I also heard that from many people, so how about we dissect the facts and science together? I have done all the research, and trust me, by the time you are through reading this, you will either fortify your existing opinion, change it, or pick a side if you were previously on the fence regarding this issue, or even have no opinion.

How do you lock your hair?

Before we get into the supposed benefits or long-term effects, it is imperative that we analyze how to get your hair locked the right way. This is because there is a common notion that dreadlocksare dirty and only worn by Ruffians and hoodlums. This happens only when hair is not properly locked and maintained. For natural locs, i.e., locs with just your hair and no extensions, you can get it done yourself at home or get it done by a hairstylist. To get it done yourself, there are ways you can go about it, which include

 Let your hair grow without combing it.

If you do this, your hair will naturally lock over time, albeit for a long time. The time is dependent on the texture and nature of your hair, as people with fast-growing curly hair can actually manage to get locs in a couple of months. As you can imagine, the outcome of this will actually need professional intervention to look decent and stylish.

6 easy steps to make your own dreadlocks.

The previous method is just cumbersome and counterproductive since DIYs are the trend these days and people can make just about any hairdo by themselves in the comfort of their homes. So, here are more defined steps you can follow to get your locs in place by yourself in considerably less time with a more presentable result.

I) Let your hair grow out to at least 3 inches long so you can put in your starter locs.

II) Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and dry to remove oils and residue, which can delay the locking process.

III) Partition your hair into your preferred size, layering them row by row in an alternative pattern so it looks like a set of layered bricks when you are done.

IV) Choose a method to start your dreadlocks. For afro hair, you can use the crocheting method, double-stranded twists, or comb coils.

V) Now use your palms to roll out the dreads to fix any loose strands and give them the desired cylindrical shape.

VI) The last step is the aftercare of your starter locs, which may loosen from time to time since you just installed them. You can always retwist loosened locs and exercise patience for them to tangle and matte.

Alternatively, you can go to a hairstylist that specializes in natural dreadlocks to get yours.

Is locking hair the ultimate solution to stunted hair growth?

Hair growth varies for different people depending on genetics, weather, and overall hair care. Regardless of all that, dreadlocks can grow any type of hair with time and proper maintenance. The logic is simple: dreadlocks protect the hair while saving it from the stress of regular pulling and combing, which can lead to breakage. Even human beings flourish in a less stressful environment, so obviously the hair will do the same. As for the science, hair grows from the roots and requires blood flow, nutrients, and the absence of breakage. All the aforementioned can be achieved using dreadlocks. Wait, let me explain. So despite the nature of dreadlocks, periodic care and moisturization are needed to maintain them, which is where all the nutrients needed to boost hair growth and inhibit breakage can come in. You also need to periodically reset your locs by getting a professional to incorporate new hair growth into already established dreadlocks, which will not only keep your hair neat but also stimulate blood flow. A good head massage can also do the needful in terms of blood flow.

The economy in Nigeria is not smiling, so I will always bring you ways to slay and remain chic on a budget. Save that money you planned to use to make those braids and buy those wigs. I bring you a cheaper alternative that will also help grow your hair.