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I've seriously been considering putting my hair into dreadlocks (if I do, that would move me onto an entirely different board), but since it does involve long hair I was just curious what people here think about them.
BTW, I wouldn't do it the "natural" way which means just not washing it ever, which is nasty, but instead use some of the many products out there for making dreads as well as going to a professional stylist. (so in other words, they would be clean and not smell bad)
The people I enounter with dreadlocks have, so far, all been wonderful, creative people that I enjoyed being around. The problem seems to me to be a heightened form of the same thing we all deal with: how will you balance what you want to do with your hair with the crap you will get from society. In the Deep South, dreadlocks are far more frightening to the status quo than longhair. I use the word frighten because that is what it comes down to--the negative reactions are those of people who fear what is different. Dreadlocks, as you must know, is very, very different.
Robert
Oh I agree Robert, the thing is
A: I don't really care because if someone is so judgemental that they can't see past that, I don't want to associate with them in the first place. Having such an obvious signal as part of my physical appearance can actually work as somewhat of an immediate litmus test as to people's prejudices and let me know who I don't want to deal with. (The only time this gets tricky is with JOBS, but hey, I'm a musician)
B: I'm moving to California in a few months.
I'd think you were cool and somebody I'd like to get to know. :-)
Dude, then you have no problem. Go head and dread your hair and let the dreads get really long. I was at a party New Year's Even in San Francisco and two guys had dreads past their butts. They looked great.
Where in California are you moving? I'm in the San Francisco bay area. If you'd like a new friend, drop me an e-mail. :-)
- Paul
Cool man, it depends where I get accepted to college (I'm 18 fyi) but it will definitley be either SF or LA.
How long is your hair? I love dreads. Go for it and let them get real long.
That pic is of a member of the band Shadows Fall. The lead guy has awesome looking waist-length dreads.
I toyed with the idea of getting dreads several months ago. I decided against it in the end. It's the irreversibility of dreadlocking your hair that worries me. (Although I've heard it can be reversed very, very slowly).
Still, sounds like you're going to get them done right and that you know all there is to know. Down to you, MC.
Yep, it's pretty much permanent after the first few days (or maybe a week or two if you're lucky). That's why it's a huge decision. Once you want to get rid of them you have to cut all your hair off, and I know we all fear that greatly...
That's why I think dreads are more than just a hairstyle, but a lifestyle.
dreadlocks look great IMO. try braiding your hair all over (big braids, not little ones) and keep it that way for a week. if you really like it then go for the dreads!
Good advice from Joe--try it before you buy into it. Once long hair is sacrificed to dreads there is only one way to do anything else: cut them off and start growing all over again.
I have a low opinion of dreads but not because I "fear" them or that which is "different". I try to encourage those growing their hair to take care of it. Dreads do not promote healthy hair care. Dreadlocks is the semi-controlled matting of one's hair.
You can only do what you really want to do but see-sawing between long and really short hair usually doesn't go well with long-term hair growth and accepting it as part of one's lifestyle.
How long is you hair at this point? Are you looking ahead or is your hair already long and awaiting your fateful decision?
Well, I have read some sources on the matter that say that contrary to what some believe it is actually fairly healthy for your hair because although the hair becomes completely intertangled you aren't putting lots of unnatural crap in it, but rather just letting it go.
My hair is almost long enough to make some nice dreads but if I do go through with it I will give it about 6 more months of growth before that time.