Men’s Dreadlocks 101: How to Grow, Maintain & Style Like a PRO

The dreadlock hairstyle is certain to draw attention and set a man apart from the rest of the crowd. The various length, width, and styles of dreadlocks are sported on young executives, professors, the artistic crowd, naturalist, surfers, dads, about nearly any lifestyle who wants to set them apart from the rest.

There is a myth that dreadlocks are not dirty unless you are just naturally a dirty person, to begin with. In reality, you can and should wash your locks at least once a week. Dreads lock-up better when they are clean. By not washing your locks, you can actually ruin your hair permanently and your dreads will look less than appealing.

Any type of hair can sport a dread. Black people’s hair naturally locks faster, but the style can be achieved with any hair texture or nationality of people.

 

15 Dreadlock Styles for Men

Dreadlocks are not for all. One may get bullied for this type of hair. So before going for this extreme style think twice. But, if you are determined to adorn your hair with this rebellious style, we are here to guide you to the right path. The following dreadlock styles are the top ones recorded to date. These might be a source of inspiration for you.

 

#1. High Bun

Get the charm of two different hairstyles together. Tie your deadlocks up and high resembling the shape of a hair bun.

 

#2. Thick And Long

This style requires a huge amount of time and patience to be accomplished. This is not possible without sheer dedication. So, aim for it if you are that much desperate.

 

#3. Stunning Dreadlocks

Dreadlocks are dirty, this prejudice will be gone if you see the hairstyle depiocted here. These locks are long and thick but they are so well kept and look amazing that anyone will become a fan of dreadlocks.

 

#4. Moderate Dreadlocks

It’s not always about heave dreadlocks. One can do this style with a little amount of hair that is turned into dreadlocks moderately. This needs less effort and time to be donned correctly.

 

#5. Variant of Mohawk

It’s not mandatory to get spikes as mohawk hairstyle, you can add a new dimension to the variants of Mohawk by getting these dreadlocks along with an undercut.

 

#6. Short & Spiky

Don’t worry if you have comparatively short hair. You can also enhance the beauty by applying a dreadlock hairstyle. Try these short and spiky dreadlocks.

 

#7. Twisted Dreadlocks

 

Let’s give a twist to your hairstyle through this twisted dreadlocks for men. Comb the dreadlocks down to the sideways making a twist in the middle.

 

#8. Captain Jack Sparrow

You can’t just ignore Captain Jack Sparrow while talking about dreadlock hairstyles for men. Capot. Sparrow made it popular since he appeared first in the movie series Pirates of the Carribean.

 

#9. Ginger Hair Dreadlocks

Don’t worry if you have ginger or colorful hair. Dreadlocks look equally beautiful even on those who have ginger hair.

 

#10. Well-groomed Dreadlocks

The iodea of typicakl dreadlocks is no more applicable. Dreadlock hairstyles look stunningly good if they are well maintained and well groomed.

 

#11. Hip Hop

Hip Hop artists are fond of dreadlock hairstyles. The hair of the top is kept medium whereas the sides are shorter. Some dreadlocks on the top increase the spirit of hip-hop music.

 

#12. Sleek And Beautiful

Dreadlocks can be sleek and beautiful too. All you need to do is wash them regularly and apply hair products if necessary.

 

#13. Dreadlocks with a Fade

These dreadlocks are faded to awesomeness. The hair from the sides are trimmed closely to the skin making a fade and the top hair are kept in dreadlocks.

 

#14. Natural Effect

Well! If you try to keep it natural and let it grow as it grows, you will get exposure to natural effect of the dreadlocks. Though these locks look dirty, some people tend to like them.

 

#15. Medium Dreadlocks

These are one of the most attractive dreadlocks you have ever seen. The length and texture of the hair are so perfect and the hair looks a bit chicer than other dreadlock hairstyles for men. Try these if you are a true fan of dreadlock hairstyles.

 

Learn How to Start Dreadlocks

There are plenty of reasons why people wear dreadlocks. Many find the hairstyle really cool. Others see it as a form of expression and creativity. There is also a number who are just simply curious about how it feels like. If you want to know how to start dreadlocks, then you’ve come to the right place.

There are plenty of reasons why people wear dreadlocks. Many find the hairstyle really cool. Others see it as a form of expression and creativity. There is also a number who are just simply curious about how it feels like. If you want to know how to start dreadlocks, then you’ve come to the right place.

There are no definite means of creating a dreadlock. This is good since you can choose a method that works for you best and allows you to achieve the kind of result you really want.

Perhaps one of the easiest methods of getting the dreadlocks is twisting. To begin, you need to have dreadlocks shampoo, dread wax, and rubber bands. You divide your hair into several sections and start twisting each division until you can have the dreadlock you want. You can keep the twist still by applying the dread wax and tying each section with a rubber band. The dreadlock shampoo ensures the hair still remains clean or well washed.

Backcombing is also very common, but some don’t like it because it’s very time-consuming. You may have to set aside at least half a day to complete it. There are even times when you require additional help. Moreover, this technique should not be used by anyone who is thinking of having a new hairstyle anytime soon. Backcombing produces permanent dreads.

To backcomb, you simply have to divide the hair into square sections. One by one, backcomb. This means getting a small comb and brushing it in one direction, usually going up until the hair starts to look a little frizzy.

For those who are just trying to experiment, you may want to begin with temporary dreads, which are easy to create. Twist your hair until they appear like those usual dreads you see and apply a holding gel. This is to make sure the dreads will last at least the entire day. You can also attach dread extensions.

 

How to Make and Grow Dreadlocks

There is no wrong or right way for anyone to achieve dreadlocks; it is a personal preference. Some methods take longer than others to achieve the final look so it depends on how fast you want to be sporting some locks. The salon method is the fastest way to achieve the locks however, not all salon methods are not 100% natural and dreadlock perms alter the hairs texture until it grows out.

There is no wrong or right way for anyone to achieve dreadlocks; it is a personal preference. Some methods take longer than others to achieve the final look so it depends on how fast you want to be sporting some locks. The salon method is the fastest way to achieve the locks however, not all salon methods are not 100% natural and dreadlock perms alter the hairs texture until it grows out.

There are several natural ways one can achieve dreadlocks in their hair. For all methods of obtaining dreadlocks you will need a shampoo that is 100% residue free, dread wax, locking accelerator, hair clips, rubber bands, comb, and depending on the method used a stiff fine-tooth metal comb, soft-bristled brush or dread tam. It is also very helpful to have a second pair of hands to help you.

 

Prepping the hair

The first step in achieving dreadlocks is washing your hair. This should be done with the 100% residue free shampoo. Any shampoos with conditioners or fragrance can prevent the hair from locking and leave a buildup in your hair that will lead to dandruff and unsightly locks.

The next step is sectioning your hair. You want a uniformed look in your dread size with no spaces. One-inch square sections will produce dreadlocks approximately the same size and pencil diameter size will produce thinner dreads. Rubberband base of each section down as you go.

After sectioning, spray hair sections down with a dreadlock locking accelerator just enough to damped, not drench and keep it away from the scalp. Now you are ready to start your method of choice.

 

Methods

Twist and Pin: (For hair that is 3 to 6 inches in length)

Section the hair into desired size locks. This method will produce the beginning of little dreads that look like a small twist and are a great hairstyle on its own.

After sectioning the hair, take a small amount of dreadlock wax and being to twist the section into a little ball. Use small hair clips to hold the sections down as you work your way around. Twist and Pin method will take about six months to lock up.

 

Brush Rubbing (Works only in hair three or fewer inches in length)

There is no need for sectioning in the brush rubbing method. This process creates natural sections in your hair that produce smaller dreads. Using a soft bristled brush circle the brush on hair in a clockwise direction until little dread balls form.

This method produces tiny dreads immediately but will take about two months for them to lock up. After getting well-sectioned dread balls condition your dreads by applying a very small amount of dread wax to each dread. You will barely have to have any wax on your fingers to do this.

 

Twist and Rip (Hair should be at least 6 or more inches long)

With the Twist and Rip, you will section your hair in desired sized locks band the section next to the scalp, and then wash it with 100% residue shampoo. Here is where the trick lies; while washing your hair rub it in a clockwise direction the entire time even in the rinse process.

After washing, check for any broken rubber bands and replace them. Allow your hair to air-dry with rubber bands still in place.

Once dry, remove the rubber band from a singular section of hair, and proceed to roll the hair section between the palms of your hands.

Once the dread starts to take fairly well, add a small amount of dread wax to the palm of your hand and continue to roll the section.

Repeat the process with each section. Your hair sections will look like dreads in about a month to and will completely lock up within 3 months.

 

Finger Twisting (Hair should be at least 3 inches long)

For finger-twisting, you can either section your hair through the brush rubbing method, by random selections, or by sectioning as described above. Take a section and repeatedly twist the section of hair between your fingertips with a light mist of a locking accelerator. It’ll look like a small twisted braid.

Allow the accelerator to dry fully and then continue to twist. You can move on to other sections as you wait for previous sections to dry completely.

After twisting, add just a tad of dread wax to the twist and twist some more. This method takes about 6 months to fully lock but will resemble dreads immediately after done twisting.

 

Dread Braiding (For hair lengths 6 inches or longer)

After sectioning hair and securing with rubber bands, remove rubber band off the section you will be working on, braid the hair down and then secure tip with a rubber band.

Continue this process until all sections are braided. Very lightly mist braid with locking accelerator, take a dab of dread wax and rub the wax between the palms of your hands.

Now take a section at a time and roll the braid in between the palms of your hands until the dread wax is worked well into hair. Until your hair fully locks up (approximately a year) it will look like braids.

 

Backcombing (For hair at least three inches long)

In blacks hair, this method works best if the hair has been straightened first by a hot comb or chemical perm. Backcombing is similar to teasing hair. Remove the rubber band at scalp of sectioned hair.

While holding a section of hair, take a fine-toothed stiff metal comb and work comb up the shaft of the hair section taking one or two strands of hair up with each stroke.

This will begin to make dreads in your hair. Each stroke up the shaft makes sure you pack the hair in tight next to the previous stroke. Turn or twist section as you go forming nice round dreads.

Once you reach the end, secure the top and bottom of the dread with a rubber band. Take a small dab of dread wax into the palm of a hand and roll the section of hair in the palm of hands to give the dread a finished look.

Once completed this method looks just like dreads but does take about 3 months to full lock.

 

Neglected natural (Can be done with any length of hair)

Obtaining locks naturally can be done easily, however, it will take 8 months to 2 years to achieve the finished look.

During that time, the locks really do not present well and many people cannot cope with their hair looking in such disarray for the extended time. One may choose to simply just not wash, brush, or comb their hair again. Some men choose to use dread wax in their hair to help lock the hair strands or let nature take its course.

This method takes an extremely long time and the sported risks damaged hair, and severe dandruff. This method is not highly recommended.

There is maintenance required in wearing the dreadlock hairstyle. You should wash your hair at least weekly with a 100% residue shampoo.

It’s recommended that one place pantyhose over their locks and wash the locks through the pantyhose the first few weeks.

Continue to twist them always to help keep their shape as well as tighten the roots as they grow out. While twisting your locks may want to use small amounts of dread wax.

This will help your locks keep their shape as well as nourishes the hair. The longer you wear your dreads the better they will look if properly maintained.

 

Maintaining Dreadlocks

For many people, choosing to have dreadlocks is not just a hairstyle, but also a way of life. It is a sub-culture that defines the very essence of a man. Like any item that identifies a person, be it a vehicle or home, preservation is of the utmost importance; and dreadlock maintenance is no exception.

For many people, choosing to have dreadlocks is not just a hairstyle, but also a way of life. It’s a sub-culture that defines the very essence of a man. Like any item that identifies a person, be it a vehicle or home, preservation is of the utmost importance; and dreadlock maintenance is no exception.

One valuable piece of information to remember when taking care of your dreadlocks is that they do not require less work than other styles, as most people assume; so you shouldn’t go taking them lightly.

Once you have your dreadlocks established and have abstained from moisture for the recommended five weeks or so, it’s important to keep your dreads clean! With hair naturally meshed together, it is easier for insects, dirt and even smells (i.e. cooking or cigarette smoke) to become trapped within.

Choosing the right shampoo for dreadlock maintenance will vary from person to person depending on the length of dreads, ethnicity, and the environment where one lives and works. Most prefer using a neutralizing or mint-based shampoo every one to two weeks to balance an itchy scalp.

This’ll also leave a fresh, crisp scent with their locks. Try to go for all-natural based products. These tend to stand out in the hair-care aisle at your local store, keeping you from being stuck looking at “hair stuff” for hours at a time.

If your natural hair tends to be courser or dryer than the next person, try to use a natural oil-based conditioner as well. Massage the scalp for a few minutes to open up cuticles in the shower and allow your own biological oils to create a one-of-kind leave in conditioner. You probably won’t be able to market it, but it will be all yours.

Don’t go crazy when you’re drying your dreadlocks either! Remember; try to treat them like your favorite vehicle, gently, yet in control, so that you can show them off to your friends later. Ring each lockout individually if you can, starting from top to bottom to remove as much moisture from the center of the dread as possible.

After your dreadlocks have been cleaned, conditioned, and dried a huge part of dreadlock maintenance is, of course, keeping the dreads together. Dreadlock enthusiasts have long disputed over the use of wax when sustaining locks.

For someone with a very physical career, such as construction or product production, wax can present a better hold for these locks.

Of course, that comes with the downfall of sweat from your head merging with the wax and creating a really unattractive goop substance.

Most dread wearers prefer to gently twist their locks with natural oil, such as jojoba oil. This can provide a cleaner look and as much hold as any wax-based product.

The last reminder of dreadlock maintenance is that when sleeping, or in a harsh air environment (extreme heat, cold, dryness, or humidity) you should always try to cover your dreads with a silk, satin, or fine fabric scarf or material.

These can be found at any fabric store, and in very masculine, solid colors. The worst thing that could happen to dreads is breakage under stress from the loss of moisture from Mother Nature’s best creation: you.

If you keep your dreadlocks maintained, you will be protecting an asset that may be just as, if not more important as the other elements of a man’s identity. They’re with you all the time; why not keep them on “lock” down?

 

How to Create Temporary Dreadlocks

If you are looking for a new hairstyle, but are unsure of what you want, consider temporary dreadlocks. Dreads are, most certainly, fashionable and well worth the time they take to create. Temporary dreads even allow you to have that look for one night or even a few days without the need for permanent ones.

If you are looking for a new hairstyle, but are unsure of what you want, consider temporary dreadlocks. Dreads are, most certainly, fashionable and well worth the time they take to create. Temporary dreads even allow you to have that look for one night or even a few days without the need for permanent ones. This article will tell you how to easily create them, another reason why they are a great idea.

In order to create temporary dreadlocks, you will need: shampoo, conditioner, a rat-tail comb, hair clips, hair gel and a hair iron. You will begin by washing and conditioning your hair.

After you have done this, you’ll want to allow it to naturally dry. Next, you will divide your hair into sections using the rat-tail comb. Clip each section of hair into even portions no larger than one-inch square. The number of clips you will need to use and sections you will, in turn, make will depend on both the thickness and length of your hair.

This takes may require the help of a friend. Even if you find you are able to do it yourself, you may find it beneficial to have someone help you.

Next, take a section of hair close to your neck and lightly cover it with hair gel. Twist this section, leaving about two to three inches next to your head untwisted. You may twist it as tight as you want or will be able to stand. The hair gel is there to hold it in place.

Now continue to twist each section of hair you have created, finishing with the crown of your head. Place each dreadlock in the position you want it to remain when the process has been completed.

Now place each dreadlock in a hair straightening iron for a few seconds. This is only necessary if you have fine hair that is difficult to straighten.

If, on the other hand, you find your hair is staying in a place with the gel, you may skip this step. Within 48 hours of creating the temporary dreads, rub conditioner into your hair. You may then follow the conditioner with shampoo which will remove the twists.

If you find your temporary dreads worked out well for you, you may want to consider making this a more permanent look. If you want to create it at various times, you may repeat the steps above whenever you desire it for a relatively short period of time. Either way, temporary dreadlocks are easy to create and will definitely give you that different style you’ve been wanting.

 

Significance And History Of Dreadlocks

As a hairstyle, the history of dreadlocks is long and significant. Most commonly associated with the Rastafarian culture in modern times, dreadlocks have been worn dating all the way back to ancient Egypt.

As a hairstyle, the history of dreadlocks is long and significant. Most commonly associated with the Rastafarian culture in modern times, dreadlocks have been worn dating all the way back to ancient Egypt.

Oddly enough, the historical significance of dreadlocks is basically a religious one that spans many different cultures. The name, dreadlocks, has two possible etymologies. In one possibility, the word is inspired by the dread this hairstyle inspires in those who see warriors wearing such locks. The other option is related to the Rastafarian word for “fears the Lord.”

According to Hindu scriptures, the god, Shiva, and his followers wore a hairstyle called “jaTaa” which means twisted locks of hair. Early Greeks, several Pacific Ocean civilizations, and some monastic groups of various religions have worn hairstyles that formed locks and could be termed dreadlocks.

Some of these groups include monks of the Ethiopian Coptic Church, Judaist Nazarites, Hindu Sadhus, etc. Even early Christians have worn dreadlocks. The first Bishop of Jerusalem, James the Just has been described as wearing them long enough to reach his ankles.

The use of the term dreadlocks to describe this hairstyle is easily traceable back to Jamaica in the 1950s. At that time, the style was adopted by members of the “Young Black Faith”, an early beginning of the Rastafarian movement. Their adoption of the hairstyle was chosen based on Biblical faith and can be traced back to a passage from the book of Numbers.

Dreadlocks may seem to be fairly recent development in terms of hairstyles. The fact is that that could not be further from the truth. Dreadlocks have been worn, though called by different names, since ancient times.

Religious ascetics are the most common class of people to wear them as a part of their religious practices. Today, dreads are worn for a variety of reasons. Some are religious. Others are to make a political statement, and still, others are simply because the wearer believes that this style looks good on him/her.

 

Seven Tips On Styling Dreadlocks

Fond of dreadlocks? You really do not have to be a certified Bob Marley fan or a Rastafarian fanatic before you can sport one. Usually, you wear dreads as a form of self-expression or art. Here are 7 great tips on styling dreadlocks.

 

Fond of dreadlocks? You really do not have to be a certified Bob Marley fan or a Rastafarian fanatic before you can sport one. Usually, you wear dreads as a form of self-expression or art. Here are 7 great tips on styling dreadlocks:

• Limit the washing. Contrary to the norm, you should not make your hair smooth, or you will not be able to attain the almost-unkempt fuzzy look. However, you may have to wash it at least once every week if you have very dirty or itchy scalp.
• Be creative. You can now choose a wide variety of dreadlock styles. If you are the on-the-go type, the ponytail bun will do wonders. Pseudo-punk stars can opt for the Mohawk dreads. You have the French braids, knot roll, fancy pile-up, lock hawk, dread pony–well, the least can just go on and on.
• Find inspiration. If you cannot be creative enough then at least find yourself an inspiration whose style can bring out those artistic juices. You can check out several fashion magazines or follow the styles of celebrities, particularly their hairdos.
• Make use of natural products only. The problem with chemically based hair care products is they make the hair look unhealthier. Moreover, when the residues stay on the scalp–but they should not–they can begin itchiness. Use natural shampoo and conditioner, like the one that contains jojoba oil, olive oil, and rosemary oil. You can shampoo once a week, but you need to condition the hair at least 2 times in 7 days.
• Backcomb. When you want to maintain your dreadlocks on your own but you do not know how to follow the basic rule: backcomb. This is by far the easiest, fastest, and the most natural method of creating and maintaining dreadlocks.
• Learn the different ways of creating dreadlocks. There are dread perms, which can be very high maintenance. If you want to spend less on the locks, you can do brush rubbing, twist and pin or rip, and dread braiding, besides backcombing. You can also simply neglect to comb your hair, but this is not highly recommended as you still need to take care of your hair properly.
• Use dreadhead wax. If you still need to style your dreadlocks and hold them together still, you have to use wax, but it is not an ordinary one. Pick that which is intended for dreadlocks.

 

How To Re-Twist Dreads

Many people believe that dreadlocks require no care whatsoever to maintain. This could not be farther from the truth. Putting the hair into this style takes a deliberate act and a good bit of maintenance. One point to watch is the base of the hair as it grows out. It does not always dread itself. This is why it is important to know how to re-twist men’s dreads.

 

Palm-Rolling Dreadlocks

There is a technique that you can do to decrease the amount of time needed to form your dreadlocks. This technique also works great to tighten and round a flat existing dread, resulting in a neat tidy style. The technique is called palm rolling.

Having a perfect dreadlocks hairstyle does not happen overnight. You need to spend effort in grooming and styling them. However, there is a technique that you can do to decrease the amount of time needed to form your dreadlocks. This technique also works great to tighten and round a flat existing dread, resulting in a neat tidy style. The technique is called palm rolling. It can best be done if your hair is 3 inches or longer. Kinky or coarsely curled hair can also be palm rolled easily but basically, all types of hair can be palm rolled.

The palm rolling is easy to learn and can be done trouble-free. To do this, you just have to follow the following steps.

1. Wash your hair properly to eliminate dirt. Use mild types of shampoo and conditioner to prevent damaging your hair.
2. While your hair is still damp, apply a lock twisting butter on the base of the locks.
3. Using your palm, roll the lock smoothly back and forth beginning from the base.
4. Afterward, you can secure the lock using metal clips. Make sure that there are no loose hair strands and that you are satisfied with the appearance of the lock.
5. After the lock has been tightened and has appeared rounder, you can proceed to the next lock and perform palm rolls again.
6. When all the locks are palm rolled, you can expose them to air drying.

In case you have dreadlocks that need to be maintained and tighten quickly, just roll your dread back and forward between your palm.

It is a big misconception when people say that dreadlocks are dirty and messy. In fact, dreadlocks will not appear as they are if the hair is not damp and washed clean. This means that before doing the locks, the hair has been washed.

When you look closely on how dreadlocks are done and how wonderfully they are made; you will surely appreciate its beauty and artistry.