Jamila Powell, owner, and founder of Maggie Rose Salon, told, , You can start locs with a two-strand twist, comb twist, or with an interlocking method. The two words sound a lot alike, but the results are different. Its very easy to do and you should do it regularly, at least a few times each week. There are a few methods used to jumpstart the matting and form uniformly-shaped, cylindrical locs. In here, Ive explained how Viking locs and dreads differ and why dreadlocks can now be an offensive term. Moisturizing dread creams are essential to keep dreadlocks hydrated and supple while avoiding breakage and frizz. By wearing them, you can embrace the uniqueness of your natural hair and stand up for what you believe in. Locs appear more defined and sleek, which requires more maintenance, while dreadlocks appear more matted, and they occur naturally after the initial locking of the hair strands. Whether youre rocking locs or dreadlocks, how you wear your hair is a personal decision that everyone should respect. There are a few methods used to jumpstart the matting and form uniformly-shaped, cylindrical locs. Forinsider hair tipsanddeals, will you join 10,000 babes who read my weekly email? As nouns the difference between matt and dreadlocks is that matt is an alternative spelling of nodot=yes lang=en an alloy in coppersmithing while dreadlocks is a hairstyle worn by Rastafarians and others in which the hair is left to grow into long matted strings. Weve covered a lot in this dreadlock 101 lesson. Instead, rely on air-drying to ensure all moisture is evaporated. The termdreadlocksorigins arent clear, but scholars suspect it comes from British soldiers who expressed feelings of dread and dismay upon encountering the formidable Mau Mau tribal warriors in East African, then-British-ruled Kenya. On the other hand, dreadlocks are a premeditated and far more intentional style, where the hair is sectioned and locked into place. locs or dreadlocks, how you wear your hair is a personal decision that everyone should respect. Please enter your email address. Locs/dreadlocks meant that you were a rasta and brought shame to your family as you would be unable to integrate polite society. They gained prominence in the Caribbean recently, but their history spans many cultures and centuries, including African, Ancient Greek, Aztec, and Middle Eastern. It is simply a matter of keeping the dreads tidy and making sure you keep them well moisturized with proper locking gel. Are dreads or twists better for natural hair. Using a no-residue shampoo, youll want to target your scalp, not your dreads, when you shampoo. Dreadlocks have quite the history. *() (Geoffrey Chaucer) (c.1343-1400): *:Then read he me how Sampson lost his hairs . January 4, 2023. As much as we need to be confident and supportive of ourselves, we cannot just exist within the willful misconceptions of other people. With the adoption of matted hair, called dreadlocks, in addition to the already existing beard, they were visually breaking with the Jamaican middle-class idea of respectability and appropriateness, erasing all ambiguities about their spiritual and ideological allegiance. Some dreadlocks styles are created by simply allowing textured, uncombed hair to bunch and naturally knot together to develop into locked shapes over the years others are . Most commonly, dreads form naturally as the individual is not brushing or brushing very minimally, allowing the hairs natural oils and moisture to accumulate and create tension knots throughout the hair. Its no surprise that many people confuse dreadlocks and locs. If youre looking for rounded, rope-like dreads, try the finger coil, three-strand twist, or wool rubbing method. One of the most common misconceptions about dreadlocks is that they dont require any maintenance just loc and go! Each user should evaluate the information on our site and is encouraged to do further research before taking any action, inaction, or making any decision based on the content provided on our site. You Probably Need a Haircut is reader-supported. . Top 9 Best Shampoo for Relaxed Hair | For Healthy, Smooth Tresses! By StyleSeat June 1, 2022. Twists, on the other hand, require more energy and time to create. Squeeze each loc to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Cotton towels work well, but can leave lint behind in your hair. When creating dreads, the traditional technique uses a method of backcombing and/or twisting the hair into small sections in order to form a matted, knotty formation. Murray's Gel-Loc Lock $5.00. So weve made a complete guide to help you understand the look, what locs entail, and a few pros and cons about them. On the East African front, the term for dreadlocks apparently came from the feeling of dread aroused in anyone who came upon these valiant warriors (who were identified by their hairstyle). To your dreadlocks, you can also go for a perfect blend of baking soda, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Children born with knotted hair are believed to be incarnations of Dada, a Yoruba Orisha, and are revered until they get a ceremonial haircut, officially instating them as respectable and normal members of their community (Aguele, 2019). Overall, both dreads and Viking locs can be an amazing way to wear natural hair and express yourself. This style is also known as Jata, Sanskrit, dreads, or locs, which all use different methods to encourage the formation of the locs such as rolling, braiding, and backcombing. 5. August 8, 2022, 5:36 pm. Poke the center of the loc near the end and wiggle it downward gently to begin undoing the loc. This effort greatly contributed to appease collective hysteria about Rastafari and by extension secularised the hairstyle. Unbrushed or uncombed hair will eventually turn into dreads when it becomes matted, so its fairly obvious that before combs were invented, most humans would have had some form of naturally occurring dreads on their hair! 1. Create dreads hair by starting with 1-inch sections at a time. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Whether youre thinking about getting dreadlocks or just got locs, theres a lot of conflicting info online on how to properly care for and maintain dreadlocks. (Ed) Chanting down Babylon. Amongst the fancy dreadlocks styles for ladies, this can be regarded as one of the classiest. Dreads and locks have grown in popularity over the past few decades. The following is the historical point that most of us at the time failed to understand. Short locs with beads (low right), short thick locs (upper right), side-swept twist (left). Low-maintenance doesnt mean no maintenance. One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. Dreadlocks vs. and completely cover and saturate every dreadlock with it. After shampooing your dreads, squeeze them with a fully dry and absorbent towel. Step 4: Palm roll. Imagine sections of your hair all knotted up and tied together with a matte finish or look when you think of dreadlocks as a hairstyle. SLS and SLES Shampoo What Are They? With that said, its 100% possible to remove dreads without damaging or cutting your hair. Jamaican Rastafarians, also known as Rastas, are well known for their religious beliefs and their sacred dreadlocks. Learning the basics of dreadlock maintenance and care will help you avoid these common problems with ease. Locs are considered to be simply a hairstyle made by tying hair tightly together. Having a spiritual connection to hair is one of the most notable differencesbetween dreadlocks and locs. In some cases, having dreadlocks can save time in the morning when it comes to maintaining your hair. It isn't easy to distinguish between dreads and locs because they look the same from a . Theyll take so long to dry with heat that your hair is sure to sustain heat damage. Dreadlocks can form irregular flat, matted sections that are wide and thin (typical of freeform dreads) or cylindrical, rope-like sections that are rounded and somewhat uniform (typical of finger coil or similar-style locs). To palm roll your dreads, just take a single loc and quickly roll it back and forth in your palms. Keeping the dreads in this state requires little to no maintenance, and is long-lasting, so if you decide you want dreadlocks, then be prepared that it will take patience to achieve this style. It would be stupid to me to be offended by the term dreadlocks. 3. The big difference, though, is in the definition of the rope-like hair structures. The result is irregular locs of various thicknesses, widths, shapes, and sizes. Class is officially in session! So, what is the difference between dreads and locs? Cotton Candy Vibes. There is also a physical difference between the two hairstyles. Avoid sudsing up your dreads too much as the shampoo can be tough to fully remove from the locs. Dreadlocks noun. One of the most common questions we hear from people considering dreadlocks is Will dreads ruin my hair? Dreadlocks dont always cause damage to your hair, but they certainly can depending on the method you use to form them and how you maintain them. Read on for a look into the history of locs, from 2,500 BCE to today. These products force your hairs outermost cuticle layer to open up, making the surface rougher to increase friction and accelerate matting and locking. Braid each section and secure them at the ends with more elastics. The locs at the crown of the head can be grown as long as you like, but look especially on-trend when grown out and swept forward. Hygiene. Add a touch of baby pink in between the thin lilac strands for a more detailed look. You will also need to consider the amount of time that you are willing to put in to keep up the appearance you want to create. Dreadlocks can be created using processes, which includes interlocking the hair or by palm rolling the hair. Garvey His Work and Impact. Depending on the cultural context, you may call dreadlocks by different names, including dreads and locks. You will notice that your rot has gone. Look for one that doesnt contain wax. The wool is rubbed against the hair in a circular motion until small locs begin to form. Dreads are the hair that is naturally knot together and forms mats or dreadlocks. Squeeze each loc to remove as much excess moisture as possible. If you would rather be politically correct and not take the chance of offending an individual, go ahead and use the term, 'locs.'. Since wax isnt water soluble, over time it will form a moisture barrier that prevents water from evaporating from your dreads (read: stinky locs). Instead of using the term dreads, it is often seen as more respectful to use the word dreadlocks instead, as this doesnt carry the same social stigma as the former. Language may be able to control the way we think and feel, but as clever and powerful individuals, we too have the power to control language, to shape it, reshape it, and create within and beyond its boundaries, which is more or less how the term locs or locks came about. If we link to any product, you should assume that well receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. Dreadlocks can be just what you need if you're looking to avoid the hassle of styling your hair. 20 Congo dreads (bongo) hairstyles for ladies and men in 2023. The history of the Rastafarian movement is a long one, but if youre interested in reading more about the history of dreadlocks, we have a more in-depth article for you here. Dreadlocks (or locs) are dreads that have been left to form on their own, undisturbed. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Rastas-beatenforcibly-trimmed-of-their-locks-after-Coral-Gardens_45946, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40653024?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. The biggest difference between dreadlocks and locs is quite simple. Van Dijk, F. (1993). Sodium Lauryl and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, What Is Hair Slugging? This hairdo not only lasts months but also looks great while doing so, which is why many people choose it as their go-to for low-maintenance styles. Within a year of no brushing, youre going to see matted, dreadlocked sections in your hair. No, its no secret, were not in love with chemicals and what they do to our bodies, hair and our planet. According to Tharps, "the modern understanding of dreadlocks is that the British, who were . The health benefits of natural hair in dreadlocks cannot be underestimated either. However, knowing the differences between these two options can help guide someone to choosing the right style that best suits them and their particular needs. You can go up to 3 weeks in between washes if youre not breaking a sweat regularly or getting your hair dirty. Though we too can master language, the way we speak, to phrases we use and the terms we relate to in order to sustain a positive and healthy outlook on life. Cotton towels work well, but can leave lint behind in your hair. "Mature" is a term used to describe a condition of the dreadlocks which is usually reached somewhere between the dreadlocks' age of 18 and 36 months (depending on the way they were started, how/if they've been maintained, the hair type, etc.) They have a more polished appearance overall, which means that they also require more maintenance. You had dreadlocks, you were dangerous and in danger. This was a succinct post that Ive tried to focus on hair, which does not do justice to the depth of the Rastafari movement. Expect to wait at least 6 months to a year before you have true dreadlocks. If you are active and sweat a lot, you may want to wash your dreads at least once a week. Short dreadlocks styles for ladies with short hair. As the locks are not constantly being manipulated, the hair is allowed to become stronger and healthier. It can also attract lint and dirt to your dreads. They create a more rounded, voluminous look that is easy to spot, especially when compared to dreads, which tend to be more straggly or rope-like in appearance. You can choose a specific pattern according to your style and comfort. The tighter one's hair, the better and quicker their hair will lock.