Am I Dread Ready?
Thinking About Getting Dreads? Let’s Talk! 🌿✨
Always dreamed of dreads but never quite taken the plunge?
Maybe you’ve heard the wild myths—like spiders living in dreads (nope), or that dreads are dirty because you can’t wash them (also nope). Or maybe you thought dreads were a carefree, low-maintenance style (spoiler: they actually require more care than regular hair!).
Before you dive in, here are some key things to consider!
💰 Cost: Dreads Are an Investment
From installing dreads, adding extensions, maintenance, and all the fun accessories, the costs add up.
For new dreads, maintenance every 6 weeks is recommended. Once they mature, you can stretch it to every 3 months.
🧖♀️ Scalp Health & Hair Type
If you have a sensitive scalp, be prepared—creating and maintaining dreads can feel pinchy or even painful, even with gentle techniques.
Also, the thick, luscious dreads you see on social media? They won’t look like that overnight. Dreads take time to mature! They’ll start off thin and thicken up as they lock in.
🏃♂️ Lifestyle Considerations
Are you active? Sweat + dreads = more washing & drying time. If you exercise, swim, or play sports, be ready to commit extra care to keep your dreads fresh.
Hats, caps, and helmets can also cause extra fuzz and friction, so keep that in mind.
💼 Employment Considerations
Sadly, some workplaces and industries still have biases against dreads. Before making the commitment, it’s worth considering how dreads might affect your job opportunities.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Friends: Not Everyone Will Love Them
Be prepared for opinions—lots of them. Some people will be curious, while others might be rude or misinformed. You may even face questions about cultural appropriation (even though dreads have been worn by many cultures throughout history).
If you need help navigating these conversations, there are great resources out there to educate and inform!
Here’s an excellent video to help with that conversation: Can White People Wear Dreadlocks?
⏳ Commitment: Dreads Are Not Temporary
If you love switching up your hair on a whim, permanent dreads might not be for you. Consider trying:
✔️ Temporary braid-in dreads
✔️ A dread ponytail for a faux-dread look
✔️ Hair wraps to get a feel for the vibe
🌀 Time & Care: More Effort Than You Think
Washing & drying dreads takes longer than normal hair. They hold moisture, so they must be dried all the way through—otherwise, you risk dread rot (aka mold 🤢).
✔️ Don’t wash them every day—they need time to fully dry.
✔️ Never sleep with wet dreads—trust me, the smell isn’t pretty.
🧺 Lint & Fluff: Dreads Attract Everything
Dreads are like velcro—fluff, lint, random fuzz… it all gets caught! Be prepared to spend time picking out little bits that find their way in.
👐 Daily Maintenance: Keep Them Separated!
Dreads naturally try to join together (called "congoing"). Running your fingers through them daily helps gently separate any sections sticking together—quick and easy!
📚 Knowledge is Power!
The more you know before starting, the better your experience will be. Do your research, ask questions, and if you need guidance, I’m always here to help! 💛
Dreads are an amazing journey, but they take commitment, patience, and care. Ready to start yours? 🚀✨
Connie xx
Jatadevi