Did you know that at least 85% of the interpersonal communications that you conduct with other people are entirely nonverbal?
Human beings judge others and communicate with others most of the time without ever using words, whether we realize it or not.
Why does this fact matter?
Because next to your wardrobe, your hair speaks the loudest for you nonverbally about your personality and style. And whether fair or not, that is the way of the world.
No matter what anyone tells you, appearances matter. So, if you want to get dreadlocks, we commend you. Dreadlocks say a lot about you, especially if you are black.
Dreadlocks are an ancient hairstyle. The earliest humans were probably rocking dreadlocks. Science has proven that the first humans who walked the Earth were from Africa. And the earliest historical records of dreadlock exhibition show that the Ethiopian Coptics were probably the first to wear them in 500 B.C.E.
Even though it seems that the dreadlock hairstyle has been coopted by everyone nowadays, no one can deny that the hairstyle is a part of black culture.
And culture is always something to be proud of. Culture connects you to something that is much bigger than yourself. And your cultural identity speaks for you in many nonverbal ways that others will always pick up on.
Do you want to get dreadlocks? We got you covered. But the first thing you must know is that you must have a lot of patience to grow dreadlocks.
And the easiest way to start growing dreadlocks is by slowly twisting them yourself.
Here is a step-by-step tutorial.
Lion Locs dreadlock care products are designed for dreadlocks, feature vegan and organic ingredients, and are sulfate and parabens-free. Try them today.
Related: Dreadlocks in the Workplace: How to Wear Dreads Professionally
Patience
It takes time to grow dreadlocks. You need the patience to grow dreadlocks and for continual maintenance, grooming, and upkeep for as long as you wear them.
Your hair grows about half an inch per month or about six inches annually.
Optimally, you should have at least three to six inches of hair length before you start twisting your dreadlocks. And this is especially true if you are black and have naturally kinky and curly hair.
The hair of those from non-black cultures tends to be straighter and not lose significant length once such hair is twisted. Black hair will lose some length once you start twisting because it coils and curls naturally.
And don't be discouraged by this fact. Whether curly, coiled, or straight, it can take several months and up to 24 months before your hair follicles start locking, fusing, and becoming dreadlocks.
Wash Hair With Organic Shampoo
Now that your hair has grown a significant length, the next step is to wash your hair thoroughly.
Only wash your hair with organic shampoo and conditioner products. And you must continue using such products once your dreadlocks start forming.
Along with keeping your hair follicles clean, you should use hair care products that don't contain unnatural and lab-based chemicals and ingredients.
And make sure that you dry your hair thoroughly before you begin twisting your dreadlocks. Otherwise, your hair could develop a fungus called hair rot or dread rot. And once dread rot seeps into long-length dreadlocks, it's hard to remove.
Section Your Hair
These next steps will determine the future width, size, and overall aesthetics of your dreadlocks. So, consider the type of dreadlocks you want before committing to these decisions.
Section your hair in one-inch by one-inch squares. Each sectioned area on your scalp will be like a sprouting point for each dreadlock strand.
The wider each section of hair on your scalp, the larger the width and thickness of each dreadlock strand will eventually become.
If you want thinner dreadlocks, you can just employ the reverse method of sectioning your hair. You can make each sectioned cordon of hair a half-inch by half-inch square.
However, you must keep in mind that the smaller each hair section, the greater the number of thinner dreadlock strands you will end up with.
So, you will have more dreadlock strands to twist.
You can tie off the ends of each sectioned-off strand with a hair clip, rubber band, or hair ribbon if desired. Make sure to remove hair clips, rubber bands, or ribbons after a few days, as you want to twist your hair down to the tip.
Twisting
Now, you can start twisting each sectioned-off block of hair with your thumb, pointer, and middle finger.
You can twist your budding locs daily or every other day. However, just make sure that you don't aggressively twist your hair. The section of hair at your scalp does not need to be aggressively twisted.
You should leave some slack space for the hair follicles nearest to the scalp and then twist the length of hair directly under it towards the tip.
If you twist your hair with aggressive force all the way to the scalp, you risk developing traction alopecia.
It is a fancy scientific term that describes the development or thinning hair or permanent hair loss caused by the constant pulling or twisting of hair with aggressive force, in the service of a hairstyle, over years or decades.
Internal Dreadlock Matrix
So, what is with all of the hair twisting? Why is it necessary when growing dreadlocks?
A dreadlock strand, whether wide or thin, is a mass of coiled and fused hair follicles. The outer wall of a dreadlock strand resembles a hairy vine.
But inside each dreadlock, or internal dreadlock matrix is a coiled and interwoven latticework of hair follicles that have locked, fused, and interwoven with each other.
As your dreadlocks age and grow longer, you will need to start palm rolling them nearest to your scalp as new hair follicles grow out of your scalp. The hair follicles nearest to the tip of each dreadlock strand can become irreparably and permanently fused together.
Lion Locs is the premium name for organic dreadlock care products featuring all-natural ingredients only. Check us out today.