People do wash their dreadlocks

Wash Day: The Steps to Wash, Condition, & Groom Your Locs-

If you’re going to take on the task of grooming your locs, the first thing to know is that having the right supplies on hand will make the process much smoother.

Toolkit
• Shampoo (cleansing & moisturizing)
• Herbal rinse or conditioner ( Apple cider rinse will do)
• Towel(s)
• Holding product (loc butter or gel)-no wax or alcohol based products
• Holding clips, comb, wrap strips
• Oil or finishing spray
• Hair dryer

Preparation
First decide whether you will work best in the shower, sink, or tub. Before shampooing your hair, examine your locs and remove any lint that you see. Thoroughly rinse your hair of any topical dirt/debris, oils, or flakes. Note: Good water pressure will make the process much better.

Shampoo
After the hair is saturated with water, pour shampoo on the scalp and continue down the length of the locs. Massage the entire scalp and scrub the locs for several minutes (if they are long enough). Rinse well. The second shampoo should be a moisturizing shampoo. Note: You can also use shampoo for color treated, gray, or a medicated product if required due to a scalp issue. Be sure to put dandruff shampoo directly on the scalp (as it can dry out the hair) and use a moisturizing shampoo on the locs. Let the shampoo stay on the hair for a few minutes before rinsing.

Young Locs
If your locs are in the baby or beginner stage, wash your locs very gently. Concentrate on the scalp and manipulate the locs as little as possible. One wash should be sufficient.

Mature Locs
For mature locs, you will most likely need at least two thorough washes. The first shampoo should be a cleansing shampoo. The main purpose is to rid the hair and scalp of dirt and oils.

Clarify
Periodically, you should use a clarifying or detoxifying shampoo to rid the scalp and hair of product, dirt, lint, debris buildup. Use this regularly if you swim in chlorinated water.

Condition
After your final shampoo, condition the locs with an herbal rinse blend, a liquid leave in conditioner or a thin consistency conditioner that can be rinsed out easily. Towel dry and squeeze out as much water as possible along the length of the locs. Drape yourself with an extra towel to protect your clothing.

Moisturize
Moisturize the hair with a loc butter or use a loc gel if you’re not a fan of butters like shea. Be sure to evenly distribute the product all over your hair and scalp. If your locs tend to tangle, you should separate them before continuing on to the next step.

Touch Up
Palm roll or finger roll the loc, being sure to wrap in loose hairs. You can define the parts with a comb or end of a long clip for a more manicured look. Roll with tight even tension and use clips to hold down the root of the locs. Depending on the size of the locs, you can put from 2-4 locs in each clip. If your hair dries out as you work your way up, take your spray bottle and wet the root only. You can also add more product if necessary.

Dry
When you are finished twisting your locs, use a wrap strip to help lay the edges down and to shield your scalp/forehead from the dryer heat. Sit under a hard bonnet dryer for about 30 minutes to an hour. It’s important to dry your locs, as water left in your locs can become molded and leave a very unpleasant smell. The final steps are to remove the clips and oil your hair/scalp or use a finishing spray.

Dreadlock Phobia; the good, the bad, the ugly

This past week, my parents traveled from Montana to Washington to visit my aunt and uncle and we met them there for the week. It was a great week. A few of us took turns cooking dinners, we relaxed a lot, ate a lot, visited a lot- that's how we roll. So anyways. While we were there, we took one afternoon and went into the quaint little town of Sequim (where my aunt and uncle live) and did some shop-perusing and antiquing.

Trying to explain why people dread dreadlocks was always going to be a daunting endeavor. There are so many myths, stereotypes, agendas, and just plain ignorance associated and ingrained about locs; that sometimes I wondered if I could convey it to the masses. I decided the words of the people wearing dreadlocks would be undisputable firsthand accounts of the good, the bad, and the ugly of the world of dreadlocks.

                                                                

Here is a blog titled: the fine art of discrimination (dreadlock phobia) by Rachel @ Lautaret Bohemiet, that tells an interesting tale. Hope to get permission to use it in my book as well as a picture.  

Pastors = good example.

Cam and Bennett and my brother and I went into an antique shop, where we were greeted by a very elderly lady, who proceeded to tell Cam how to parent Bennett. It was very cute and funny and we took her (unsolicited) advice with a smile and ended up visiting with the lady for about twenty minutes, at which point my parents joined us in the shop.

We all continued to shop around, all the while visiting with this lady who seemed a bit bored and lonely and very eager to chitty chat. She and I spent some time looking over her antique jewelry collection (more on that later), and then I headed to the back of the shop with my mom while she and my dad visited.

During her visit with my dad, she discovered that he is a pastor. This seemed to please her, as she said something like, "Good for you!" and they kept chatting it up. It was all a very nice, friendly, feel-good experience in a small little town.

David, Cam and Bennett and I left the shop, and then the following (which I am paraphrasing, since I wasn't there) happened:

Lady: "It's hard to believe that your daughter looks like that (referring to my hair), what with you being a pastor and all."

Dad: (chuckling): "Well, you know. They get to a certain age where they do what they want, make their own choices."

Lady: "Well," (disapprovingly) "She has a child now. She needs to set a better example."

When mom told us the story later, we all got a good laugh. I mean, that's what we do. But then... then it started to bug me. We spent probably a half an hour visiting with this lady. We certainly didn't go into that store expecting to chat with a stranger for that long, but we could see she needed and wanted to visit, and so we did. We smiled. We were courteous. We made conversation. We connected. I don't think that most people our age would have taken the time to do that. It makes me really sad that she missed all of that, missed the fact that there were a lot of positive qualities in our interaction -- because she had already made a determination about me because of my hair.

Good Example, baby, Bad Example.

Looking back on our time in the shop, a few other things made sense that we hadn't given much thought to before. For starters, her unsolicited parenting advice. She told Cam that he needed to be talking more with Bennett, who was in the Bjorn, and that when Bennett points at things, we need to name them... which he does and we do ALL. DAY. LONG.  Now knowing what she thinks of us because of my hair, it makes that harmless little tid-bit of nosy advice seem a bit more hurtful. She assumed we weren't great parents (which we gathered from her conversation, but we didn't know why). How could we be great parents and look like this? Secondly, she watched pretty much everything I did. Every time I bent over to look at jewelry, she was right there. Right there. Though she was deep into my personal bubble, I took this as a friendly gesture at first. (A confusing and slightly off-putting friendly gesture.) As we thought back on our time in the store though, we realize that the reason she was watching me so closely is because she thought I was going to steal. We could be wrong, but all things considered -- the comments she made, the way she watched me, the things she implied -- she thought that because of my appearance, I must be set on ripping her off.

Dreadlocks = bad example

Loving Child = good example

I guess it's a wash...

Come on, lady! I was dressed nicely. I was showered and clean and smelled normal. I wore jewelry. I carried a cute purse. I was friendly and well-spoken and polite. I had my baby with me, my husband, my parents, for pete's sake. There was absolutely nothing about our time in the store, our actions, or the exchanges that would cause a person to believe we would be a threat or that we were "bad examples".

Ironically, hair is the one thing Bennett doesn't have, so the chances of him being tempted to get dreads are very slim.

What other bad example was I setting? I'll tell you: none.

That is why I am super bummed. I guess what I experienced wasn't really discrimination, because she did let me peruse her shop and she did make conversation with me as I assume she would do with anyone. I was, however, judged. And judged very poorly, at that.

I expect to have certain assumptions made about me because of my hair, some of which are true and some are not: hippy, lazy, free-spirit, earth-child, drug-user, dirty, free-loving, anti-government, anti-war, anti-establishment, anti-shampoo, anti-vaccines, pro-marijuana legalization, has spiders in hair... but shoplifter? Bad example?

Bummer. It bums me out.

http://theclearscamandrach.blogspot.com/2011/10/fine-art-of-discrimination-aka-judging.html

Danielle Salloum's Interview

Here is another great interview from another loc wearer. People who choose to wear locs come from many backgrounds and from many countries. I have had much success in receiving interviews from fellow loc wearers from London; where Danielle lives.

 

No matter the country or ethnic group, certain myths and misconceptions seem to follow this particular hairstyle choice. Danielle is open and honest in this interview and her words are not new for those who have decided to loc their hair. Enjoy. And thanks to Danielle for sharing with us.

 

Name: Danielle Salloum

Age: 23

I started the loc process a year and 2 months ago from doing this interview (April 2012).

 

1. What was the initial reaction/response of family/friends/ co-workers to your hair style choice?

 

I started my loc process when I was at university (Feb 2011) My family pretty much accepted me (even though my siblings don't really like locs) since I've been talking about locs with my mum since I was 14, I'm 23 now.

 

I don't think it was very shocking for people to see my loc journey as I had an alternative style already.

 

2. Are you in a career that is friendly to your hair style choice?

 

I'm a Direct Recruiter for a Fundraising Company and you can look however you like at my work place.

 

I'm also doing work experience with a fashion milliner.

 

3. Did you notice a boost in confidence or other personal changes once you decided to wear dreadlocks?

 

I've always felt confident about looking the way I want to.

 

4. What do you like or dislike about dreadlocks?

 

I don't like the fact that my hair got much shorter as I allowed it to loc.

I like the fact I no longer brush my hair, because I hated doing that and it's one of the main reasons I decided to loc.

 

Having locs has really helped me to control my hair pulling compulsion (trichotillomania) and I actually recommend having locs as an alternative form of therapy for trich.

 

5. What state are you from and is there a large population of dread wearers there?

 

I'm from London and yes there are alot of dread wearers. In certain areas of London there are also large Rasta communities.

 

Despite that though, there are still many people who are clueless about dreads and tell me that I stopped washing my hair in order to get locs. Of course I didn't stop washing my hair in order to get locs and when I correct them they seem a bit surprised.

 

6. Do you believe dreadlocks adds to the masculinity of the black male or does it box him in to more stereotypes?

 

I'm a radical feminist and I am kind of against the concepts of masculinity and femininity. I think locs are a beauitful hairstyle for both men and woman.

 

I don't think locs should be in any way negative for a black man, but I do believe ignorant people stereotype black men and women with locs.

 

7. When did you decided to go natural/dreadlock?

 

I decided when I was 14. I did it at the age of 22 (Feb 2011) due to having adult freedom.

 

8. Do you view wearing dreadlocks as a larger tie to the African American culture?

 

Yes, due to white supremacy I think having dreadlocks for people of African decent is much more personal, as their hair is viewed as "ugly" and "needed to be straightened." I think African hair makes the most beautiful locs as it knotts faster.

 

I am mixed race (West African, Arab, White, South Asian). I would say I have Indian type hair and some people would make fun of my hair being bushy when I was in high school.

 

A complete stranger made fun of me calling me Hermione from Harry Potter. I know people with African hair get it so much worse, so I think it's so much more important when they go natural.

LINDA: More than a dragon slayer interview

                                                        

Linda is 25, a Haitian American, College Student, Lover, Daughter, Friend, Retired Poet, Music Lover, Sports Lover, all great things. But, after you read about this one day in her life, I want you to remember these words as her final words and to believe them as much as she does, and as much as I do: “It was a rather emotional experience, but I did not allow any tears to fall. I did not want to feel defeated. I used it as motivation to make sure I finish school and accomplish my goals. Most importantly, to make sure I own my own company and become my own boss.”

NOW BACK TO THE HAIR JOURNEY.

I am hurt….

I went to an interview today for a supervisor position at a hotel. I won’t name the well-known corporation but at least everyone has stayed at one of their properties. The interview went well. I met with HR, a manager, and the Director of F&B. They wanted me to meet with the Manager of the hotel but he stepped out. So, I waited for a few minutes and then they hit me with this: 

We are interested in offering you the position. We all agreed you would be a great asset to our organization. BUT before we move further we wanted to read to you our policy and procedures. We don’t allow cornrows as per policy. *touches my locs.*  Oh, and dreadlocks. So, is there a possibility that you cannot have them anymore in order for us to move forward????

I have never, EVER dealt with something like that. Then, it brought me back to conversations I have had with some friends about looking the part in order to get certain jobs. I looked around the lobby and saw blond hair and blue eyes all around. I saw a few “dark faces” but they all had their permed hair pulled back in buns. This is not happening right now. I was praised for my degrees and experience but knocked all the way back down because of my locs.

My response:

This has been an ongoing spiritual process for 6 years. I don’t see myself cutting them anytime soon. I am grateful for the offer but I don’t believe we will be able to move forward. I never expected my hair to be such a setback nor trump my experience and qualifications. Thank you for the opportunity and taking the time out to see me. Have a great day.

I
am hurt and am not sure how to react right now.

The drunkenenigma Speaks Soberly In His Interview

                                                    

I've been locking for almost 6 years.
They started from the little baby gel twists to what you see now. It took a lot to get where I’m at now with my hair in its current state.

They have helped me with the women, especially in this era where everyone is attracted to natural individuals. Though, I have my locs, I'm still the same goofy individual I was before them, slightly more mature.

I haven’t had any issues with getting employed because of my hair, but more so because of my peircing. Where I’m from, DC, everyone has them so I tend to think I look like everyone else around here. I want my hair to grow to about my mid section then I’ll just keep them trimmed at that length. My friends with longer locs tend to have issues.

The issues they have with them is sitting on them and how heavy they tend to be. All in all, I love my hair and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Craig Boatwright, Natural Stylist/Self Esteem Specialist Interview

 Model: Chrisandra Wells

                                                              Photographer: Ashley Naomi,
                                                                Makeup Artist: Jewel Whinfield
                                                           Dress: Cassandra Bromfield

1. Where is your business based and how long have you been working there?

My business is based in New York City, (Locks & Chops Natural Hair Salon) and I've been a Natural Stylist /Self-Esteem Specialist for 20 years.

2. When did you realize you had a talent for working with natural hair and have you ever worked with anything other than natural hair?

My confirmation was upon entering a natural hair competition in Atlanta, Georgia. An elder bearing witness to one of my styles told me, "Today, you have made your ancestors very proud."

3. You are an expert in your field and use your talents to create 'cultural expression.' Can you explain to the readers what does that statement mean to you?

I feel that anyone that styles natural hair, sees it as a service to the community, and has an integrity around it, is forced to have cultural expression.

4. You have been featured in several magazines, books, such as "Authentic Hair" with Ademola Mendala, what was that experience like for you?

It was the first time that I knew my images were going to be published in a composite of work that I knew would be groundbreaking. For Ademola to share his vision with his students, made the relationship official.

5. In my research, I have found people dislike the term 'dreadlocks' and 'dreads.' What are your feelings on the use of these words to describe a particular hairstyle?

When it comes to African Hair, there's nothing dreadful about it.

6. Your clientelle consist of both men and women - is there a difference between the genders as to how they view their natural hair i.e. women seem to care more about products and maintenance then men or vice versa?

There will always be comparisons between the genders but the love of self, the love of healthy hair, and the honoring of one's God-given hair, usually brings forth more similarities than differences.

7. Is there a particular client or event you are particularly proud of working with or on?

TEAM BLACK. Team BLACK is a network whose time has come. I founded this brainchild, but the weight of this revolution rests on the total of five trailblazers in the hair care industry. The collective was founded in 2010 after observing the growing complacency and individualism in the industry. Propelled by the desire and talent to make a difference, these five extraordinary stylists (with home-bases in different states) decided to be the change we wanted to see. We have forged a bond with the shared commitment of providing mentorship to professionals new to the hair care industry, as well as elevating the conversation forward for the whole—with cutting edge techniques, standard curriculum, and honoring a legacy. More than just business colleagues, these teammates are family—sharing moral support, even helping each other to secure business. In a time where every stylist just for self seems to be the rule, Team BLACK is the exception.

8. Will you share a sample of your work with us and how much time and effort you put into your meticulous artistic work?

The process in creating a 'classic' for me usually starts with a dream. Being born under the zodiac sign of Pisces, I feel 'Ive always been a dreamer. When creativity doesn't come easily, I usually pray on it. Once the dream becomes a vision, I have to choose the right model, make up artist,  photographer, and music to vibe to, which is usually a recipe for a 'LOCstar'!

9. Finally, is there anything you want to tell people who wear locs that will help them to live their lives loving their locks?

Take responsibility for YOUR reality and love YOUR hair.

Angel's Interview: Second Time Around.

Angel.
 22 years young.
 Professional self-proclaimed day dreamer. Ex people pleaser.

We are the only ones standing in our own way when it comes to matters of the heart or what we really want to do and accomplish in our lifetimes. Why sit in misery, mope around and complain about something when all we have to do is put in the foot work to achieve those ambitions.

In September of 2010, I started the journey to my natural crown. Why? Ever since I was young, I’ve always secretly coveted over women with natural hair. It’s gorgeous, versatile, crazy, sexy, cool, sophisticated, and yes, it’s that serious. I love my thick fro, but having big hair just isn’t doing it for me anymore. I would blog stalk anybody who adorned a natural crown and only lusted over the people who had locs. Short, long, cut, curled; whatever the style was, I deemed it to be Jah’s greatest gift to man and only wished that my hair could twist and connect in the same way.

June 26, 2011, I started my first set of locs but it only lasted for five months. The urge to play in my loose hair overcame me since I was severely bored. I regret taking my first set down, but if you don’t succeed, try again. So here is my second set which I am so very proud of. They are perfect to me in all aspects. I can care less about the negativity that I receive for locking my hair again. My only prayer is that I don’t take them out anytime soon. ;-)

***My Commentary***
I love this interview because she gave something (locs, in this case) a second chance. So many times in life we give up on things we want because the first attempt was not what we expected or we began to long for the old; what was familiar. That is okay too. I mean, just reaching out and grasping what you want beats not doing it at all. But, there are times when we need to give things in life a second chance and that's why I like this interview so much.

I am so thankful Angel shared her story with us.

Tashymatryoshka Interview: Making Lemonade Out of Lemons

Sometimes life throws us a curveball. The unexpected can happen at any given time. There are those that will be crushed by the weight of misfortune and then there are those who can roll with the punches and come out on the other side better for the experience. This is just such a person and situation.                                                                                                                    
I have wanted dreadlocks for a while now, but the reason I decided to do them now is due to severe hair breakage due to bleaching. I had white hair for a while but one day whilst bleaching it as normal some of the hair broke off near the root.

So, I thought that if I dreaded it it would strengthen it until the short bits had grown out. Now I have done it I am totally in love with them and I want to keep them until they are really long. I have since added beads, cuffs and threads to them and I get so many compliments on them, especially from older people!

** my note: People seem to always ask the question: "Why did you do your hair like that?"
I hope the followers of this project are gaining the understanding to the above question. The reason for people deciding to wear locs/dreads is as varied and individual as the wearer themselves, but they all seem to love them no matter their reason for choosing the hairstyle.

T.J. Madd Interview: Wisdom Shared

                                                       

T.J. Madd

Bio

•19 years old

•Second Year Clinical Psychology Student

•Small village outside of Cleveland, Ohio

•Co-Owner of a small Not-For-Profit business

Love for Locs

•I wasn’t always so fond of dreadlocks; I grew up being taught that they were filthy.  Society always stressed the European style of beauty: women’s hair silky straight and men’s buzz-cut low.  I was a part of that mold; incessantly shaving my hair bi-weekly to become someone I naturally couldn’t be – to fit into a group to which I was naturally pariah.  It took me 17 years to realize that the burn of bruised hairlines and the sight of floors drowned in dead hair wasn’t how I’d wanted to spend my Sunday evenings.  That’s when I decided to lock my hair - it was the only choice that made sense. 

My uncle, also a Dreadhead, use to tell me, “A man without hair is like a tree without leaves.”  I know now that he completely stole that quote but its message still rings true to me: the strength of a man is measured in every facet of his being and by cutting his hair he is essentially severing his strength. I lock my hair to show my strength to the world: to illustrate that in this journey from awkwardness to confidence, I am a strong and proud man.

•I’ve been locking since October 9, 2010.  It was a practical decision at the expense of defying my mother.  She was always against it.  Two years later and she’s still calling them “those things”.  I think they’re cool: 203 extensions of individual personality growing from my head with no intentions of stopping.  It was 207, but my thin hair forced me to combine a few. To future Dreadheads, my only suggestion is that you know that the decision to lock is your own.  Trying to fit in with a movement or be different might be cool at the moment, but down the road when you wake up on those hair “what-the-heck” days, severing your strength will be that much easier.

You’re free to use the picture of me in the purple/lavender/whatever color shirt.  Also, if this isn’t what you were looking for I’d be happy to rewrite something or add to it.

Have no doubt, T.J. Madd, your interview is just perfect and will reach a lot of people at their core. Proud to have had the opportunity to read your story.

SoulOfPoetry Interview from my Tumblr Page

                                                                 

I had always wanted locs since I was young. My favorite artist, India Arie, was my true inspiration. Growing up I had so many complexities about my skin tone. I use to hate how dark I was because people treated me differently from my sister. I remember one night I told my mother and she told me something I’ll never forget ”You are beautiful! You are loved, in every way that you are. You are blessed to have beautiful skin.” When I accepted that, I began to truly embrace my heritage, my culture, and I wanted to go natural because that’s who I am. I didn’t want to be ashamed any longer.

Though my family didn't support my natural hair journey (this was before it became a fad) I grew so much from it because I didn’t have support. I wouldn’t trade my locs in for the world. Just loving the skin I’m in.