Anyone with locs has probably been accosted on the bus/street by some know-it-all who thinks that the stupid myths they've heard about dreadlocks are true. The sad thing is, if this person had approached the loc-head with an open mind and some thoughtful questions, they'd find that not only would their questions be answered truthfully, they'd come away from the conversation with a different view on dreadlocks!
I thought I'd get together a few corkers I've had thrown at me over the years and put them straight! If you've got a silly question/answer about dreadlocks, please leave them in the comments!
So here goes:
Myth 1
When you've got dreadlocks you don't wash your hair, ever.
WRONG! Everyone has a different washing schedule/technique but dreadlocks get washed much more than some people imagine. If you don't wash your locks they will smell, get greasy, give you acne and look gross. Locs also absorb a lot of smells like smoke, beer and oil so need to be washed. So yes, dreadlocks get washed.
Myth 2
Dreadlocks small bad.
WRONG! See the above answer about washing. While dreadlocks don't smell like hair that's been treated/styled/washed with scented products, they don't smell bad. I for one use a scented vanilla and coconut spray on my locs, just to freshen them up!
Myth 3
When you don't want your dreadlocks anymore, you have to shave your head.
Wrong again. Unless you actually choose to shave your head, it's not a necessity. I've had many friends, including my husband, who have brushed their locs out. Yes it takes ages, it hurts and you end up with black sacks of dead hair but the hair underneath will be in pretty good shape. So shaving is a very drastic end that can be avoided with time and patience.
Myth 4
You have dreadlocks, you must smoke weed.
Oh, this one makes me laugh. Yes, the western world has some obscured view that everyone who has locs smokes weed, but, we have to forgive them. Mr Marley had locs and was well known for his herbal habits and for most people, seeing these images is enough to tar everyone with the same brush. Think about it, there are probably for more people WITHOUT dreadlocks who smoke. Go figure.
Myth 5
It's hard to get a job with dreadlocks.
Yes, if you turn up to an interview looking like you've just got out of bed, the same for locked and non-locked alike. I've never had a problem getting a job with my locks. I'm white with locs, does that mean an african with locks wouldn't get a job either? Think about it. It's a hairstyle. And if your potential employer brings it up, it's discrimination so bring the sodding roof down!
Ok, there are some jobs that having locks would put you at a disadvantage, but think about it, if you had locks you wouldn't want to be working with heavy machinery, would you?
This is it for part 1, but part 2 will come next week. Thanks for reading!
If you've got a myth, please post it below!
I've been super busy testing, making and expanding the range of dreadlock headbands available to buy on the Airria website. So far there are two options available with the intention of adding more in the New Year.
They're made from a snuggly but strong Aran yarn which is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, which means they're machine washable at 30 degrees. They will also stretch and grow with your dreads if you need them to.
