I Dig Dreads

I have always had a thing for dreads. Mostly dreads with tan skin and light eyes i.e., Gary Dourdan from CSI who appeared in Janet Jackson's video Again in 1993. Yummy! Grrr...there was no one sexier than him in this video!!!



With Jason Castro on American Idol the dread thing has come up again. I have had a few discussions with friends about how I like dreads and everyone always says the same thing. "Yuck, that's dirty. That's just dirty hair." Yada, yada, maybe it is but I find it hot.

Having no idea as to whether it is dirty or not I decided to surf the net and find out just what makes dreads.


Here At Dreadlocks.com they state and answer some of the myths surrounding dreads.
Rumor: You do not wash dreadlocks. Hair must be dirty to dread.
Fact: If you do not wash your hair it will stink. Dreadlocked hair needs to be washed regularly just like un-dreaded hair. You can wash dreads just as you would wash a sponge, by working the soap in and then squeezing and rinsing repeatedly to get all the soap out. Clean hair will actually lock up faster than dirty or oily hair. Because nearly every soap and shampoo on the market contains residues it was thought that clean hair does not dread quickly, when in fact it is the residues (conditioners, moisturizers, builders and fragrance holders) in the soaps that prevent hair from locking up. This is why we recommend washing you dreads only in residue free soaps and shampoos.

According to the How To website, creating dreads takes a lot of work.
Things You’ll Need:
1 quart of tap water
Beeswax or pomade
Fine-tooth metal combs
1 tablespoon of vinegar
Hairstyling software
Rubber bands
Hair accessories
Step 1:
Consider that dreadlocks work best on those with curly or very kinky hair. If you have thin, straight or wavy hair, you may want to give yourself a home perm with very thin rods. The perm will impart the needed texture.

Step 2:
Stop using conditioner a week to 10 days before you begin the process.

Step 3:
Mix about 1 tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 1 quart water. Rinse your hair with this vinegar-and-water solution the day you plan to start making your dreadlocks. This solution will remove any residue or buildup that may impede the process. You can also buy a residue-free shampoo and wash your hair with.

Step 4:
Begin with dry hair. Take a portion of hair about 1 inch square at the roots. Twist the hair tightly.

Step 5:
Pin the rest of your hair back with hair clips or put it in a rubber band so you can concentrate on one portion at a time. Back comb the section of twisted hair, beginning at the root and moving to the ends and then back to the scalp again. People with a great deal of texture in their hair might find that their hair stays in that tangled position after twisting and some combing, while those with less texture will have to comb quite a bit.

Step 6:
Add a dab of dreadlock styling wax, beeswax or pomade to each section after combing, then re-twist it. Wax will mold your dreads and help each lock stay twisted.

Step 7:
Secure the end of each dread with a rubber band, leaving some hair poking out. This step holds the twist and eventually gives your dreadlocks rounded ends. Complete the twisting process over your entire head.

Step 8:
Depending on your lifestyle or time frame, you might twist a few portions a day or your entire head in one sitting. Enlist the help of friends to create dreadlocks in the hair on the back of your head.

Step 9:
Twist, comb and wax on a regular basis to get your dreads to hold their shape. Remember that this hairstyle requires a lot of maintenance, so work on it while you watch TV, while you listen to music or whenever you find a free moment.