Q. How do I keep my dreads out of my face?
A. If your dreads are long enough to tie just use two dreads and tie them in the back to hold the rest outta yer face. And if they’re not long enough, visors are hip-hoppin’, toques/beanies are cool, some dig rasta-hats or tams, some put them up all cute in spiky, dready pigtails, or use a fat piece of stretchy cloth or a dreadband to hold ‘em back. Whatever you like!
Q. Do any bosses have the right to fire you if you have dreadlocks or if you’re applying for a job and they refuse to hire you because of them? Are there less job opportunities for dread heads?
A. Yes, bosses have the right to fire someone if they feel like you’ve done something to yourself that changes the way he/she wishes their business to be perceived. It’s their business, and they have every right to ask you to change it back or leave the job. Sucks, but that’s the straight dope. Many people also have a lot of prejudice against dreads, feeling that they are dirty, smelly and unkempt. If you are going to be looking for work, we suggest you apply at places like record stores and other places you may be more accepted with your locks, or kitchen work where you can tie them back and not be in the public eye. Dreads are something you need to make a lot of social sacrifices for sometimes, so think carefully before you go for them.
Q. If I use wax, can I turn my braids into dreads?
A. I hate to tell you this: you can start dreads from braids, BUT they will always kind of look like braids. Now if you don’t mind that, then by all means go for it. But people braid their hair and leave it, expecting that one day they will have nice fat Marley locks - but that rarely is the case. Your dread braids will always look very thin and kinky like braids, but it is a cool look. Totally up to you, but I’m just warning you that they won’t be the heavy fat dreads that most people are familiar with. And I would definitely get a good natural shampoo that has NO conditioners in it and a high concentration of tea tree and peppermint oils in it - you definitely want to keep washing your scalp to prevent problems like oily buildup that leads to bad dandruff and smelly hair. Washing your scalp will not prevent the development of dreads and in many cases will help the process along by drying the hair out so it’s less greasy and more tangley.
Q. Is there any bad hygiene involved in having dreads and doing things that cause you to sweat?
A. Nope, there is no bad hygiene because you can shower like normal after exercising. And about sweat, people dip their dreads in the ocean to tighten them up, and I would imagine that sweating is about the same, so not to worry! Just have a shower after if you think they need a cleaning.
if you have a dreadlocks website that you would like listed here, just leave it in the comments of this post, and we will add it to the list.
Thanks,
Where to buy dreadlock hair products in your country:
Canada and USA - Knotty Boy
Australia - Do Yer Nut
Netherlands - Kapsalon Ploegmakers
United Kingdom - Salon Collective