Dreadlocks

June 8th, 2010.

Well, after YEARS of talking about them, wanting them, being insanely jealous everytime I saw someone with them, I finally did it. I went out and got me some dreadlocks. Yes, it is my own hair. These are not 'fake dreads'

I was going to DIY, but I don't really have 'spare time' so I found a salon in Portland that dreads your hair. In under 2 hours! She does it really tight. Basically, when you get salon dreads, the process is almost backwards. Think perm. At first it's really tight then relaxes. Same idea. She puts them in with the ratting/crochet hook method, no wax. They are tight. They do start to loosen, but hopefully not too much. I got them Tuesday. I'm supposed to wait a week to wash them, so they can stay tight as long as possible, but I will probably wash them on Sunday since we have Madeline's Graduation Party that day.

And can I just say, that I have found hair nirvana. Never did I think that I would love my dreadlocks this much. Anyone with dreads will tell you 'Dreadlocks are not so much a hairstyle, but a journey. A deeper look into who you are'.

So true.

I'm only on day 4 of having them and already, I'm more relaxed. I cannot believe that my hair and how it looked/was styled/colored consumed so much of my time and thoughts each day. (I know, stupid, but what can I say?) And if it didn't look 'good' , I didn't feel good about ME. Letting go of my constant hair consuming thoughts has been so helpful in alleviating some of this every day stress that I just can't seem to get ahead of.

Dreadlocks are my Prozac.

I feel beautiful.

Pretty good substitute, I would say.

If I feel this good, just 4 days in, I can't wait to see how I feel next week, or a month from now.

I can't really describe how or why such a simple thing as dreadlocks has made me feel so different. Maybe it's a mental thing, maybe not. All I know is how utterly freeing it is.

FREEING.

freed, free·ing, frees
1. To set at liberty; make free: freed the slaves; free the imagination.
2. To relieve of a burden, obligation, or restraint: a people who were at last freed from fear.

Yep. I'd say that is the word I'm looking for.

I would like to clear up some common myths about dreadlocks. Specifically for my family, that is more than likely to look at me Sunday and say 'Ewwwwwww'. Which, by the way, is not nice. Can I just say this is a good time to implement the phrase that your momma taught you 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all'

COMMON DREADLOCK MYTHS

* All dreadlocks are dirty.

Dreadlocks are only dirty if you don't take care of them and wash them. Not washing dreadlocks is the best way to ruin dreadlocks. You should wash your dreadlocks at least once a week.

* You can't wash dreadlocks.

Not washing dreadlocks is the best way to ruin dreadlocks. You should wash your dreadlocks at least once a week.

* Anyone with dreadlocks is dirty.

Not true!! Dreadlocks need to be washed at least once a week.

* Not combing your hair is the only way/best way to make dreadlocks.

There ARE other ways

* Backcombing is not natural.

Backcombing is just about the most natural way to make dreadlocks. Well, except for the neglect method.

* Only black people can have dreadlocks.

Obviously the person who told you this has never see anyone who is Asian, Indian, or Caucasian with dreadlocks. Dreadlocks actually look very nice on Asian, Indian, and Caucasian. Many people believe that dreadlocks actually were first wore by the Asian Indians that crossed over from Asia and Europe to Alaska and Canada. Dreadlocks were also wore during Biblical times by John the Baptist and Samson. Dreadlocks were also worn in the 1400-1500's by Asian Emperor's.

* Nice dreadlocks are high maintenance.

Most dreadlocks are not high maintenance. The only kinds of dreadlocks that are high maintenance are dreadlocks made from dread perms. Dreadlocks made with the backcombing, twist and rip, twist and pin, neglect, and brush rubbing methods are not high maintenance at all.

* The neglect method is the only way to make natural dreadlocks.

Not true at all. There are many other methods that are natural, such as Backcombing, Twist and Rip, Twist and Pin, Twisting, Dread Braiding, and Brush Rubbing.

* Dreadlocks damage your scalp.

Dreadlocks do not damage your scalp. In fact your scalp never even knows you have dreadlocks, because the hair starts to dread about an inch away from the scalp.

* You have to shave your head when you don't want dreadlocks anymore.

False statement. You don't even have to cut your hair when you want to take the dreadlocks out. Here are the ways to take dreadlocks out:

* Dreadlocks are for rastas only.

It is a common misconseption that dreadlocks were started by Rastas and only Rastas should wear them. It is common knowledge that cavemen wore dreadlocks, not for spiritual reasons, not for fashion, just for the fact that the comb wasn't invented yet. It is ok for you to wear dreadlocks if you are wearing them for fashion, and it is ok for you to wear dreadlocks if you are doing it for spiritual reasons.