How long does it take for dreads to lock? Everything you should know
Fancy a hairstyle change? Have dreadlocks crossed your mind? Around the world, you can find numerous people with the hairstyle. Even though it is great to see other people looking great, with their heads full of thick, healthy locks trailing down their back, you cannot help but wonder how it might look on you. An even bigger worry is the time it will take for the locks to attain the desired length and girth. So, how long does it take for dreads to lock?
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It is no secret that growing healthy dreadlocks take time and patience. Yet, it is one of many most iconic styles loved by many. However, waiting for your hair to lock can make you impatient as it is a lengthy process, especially if you desire matured locks. So, how long does it take to grow dreads from short hair?
How long does it take for dreads to lock?
It is the biggest question for anyone interested in the hairstyle. Just how long will it take for you to start enjoying the dreadlock look? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer as it depends on various factors determined by the individual applying the hairstyle.
How often do you groom your hair? What is the starter dread style and texture of your hair? Such considerations are integral in determining how long your dreads will take to lock, and you ought to keep them in mind once you start the journey.
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Your hair goes through different stages before it locks, and the texture also plays a significant role. Therefore, it could take anywhere between 10 months to two years to achieve the mature lock stage. However, you ought to keep in mind that the processes of locking and maturing are different.
The primary idea here is that the time it takes for dreads to lock varies from person to person, but there are certain averages that you can go by if you wish to make an estimation.
Freeform dreads take anywhere from 12-15 months to lock up. However, it can take a shorter time to lock if your hair's kinky, contrary to people with straighter hair. Twisting your hair every four weeks and tightly retwisting them will help your dreads lock faster.
Can you make your dreadlocks lock faster?
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Is there a way of speeding up the process of having natural long locs? It is general knowledge that thicker and more tightly coiled hair locks faster. Also, type four hair locks easier than type two or type three. So, having this in mind, what can you do to make your dreads lock faster?
If you are thinking about investing in a product, you should be cautious. Products, in most cases, only mesh hair together to give you the illusion that your hair is locking faster. Also, once the hair has successfully matted, the products stay in the middle of the locks, later moving up to give a build-up illusion.
Therefore, the best approach for locking up hair is to go the natural way. And you can use various techniques to make your dreadlocks lock faster.
Choose a good starter dreads style
The best way to ascertain that your dreads lock well is to choose the best starter style. This means that you ought to keep them tightly twisted and retwist after every few weeks. You can go for Bantu knots or palm rolling as your starter style.
Maintain your dreads
Grooming and maintaining your dreadlocks is another way of ascertaining that they lock faster. You can use ordinary grooming tips like washing, not waxing too often, and keeping your styling pattern.
The different stages of your dreadlocks by month
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As mentioned earlier, getting the locks you desire takes time. Therefore, it is integral to know the different stages your dreadlocks undergo to understand the locking process and lessen your worry. There are five stages of locks: starter, budding, teen, maturity and rooted phases.
3 to 6 months: starter phase
If you wonder how long it takes to grow dreads from short hair, you need to analyse this stage critically. As the name suggests, this is the beginning phase of your locks and one of the most important.
This stage can last anywhere between 3 to 6 months. Of course, the time heavily relies on your hair type and how fast it grows. During this stage, the most important thing is that your hair should form coils from roots to ends.
You can wait for at least two weeks before applying the first shampoo. And when you use the first shampoo, ascertain that it is residue-free to keep your scalp clean.
6 to 12 months: budding phase
Most people start getting content with their dreadlocks during this stage as they notice their hair becoming puffy. Also, your dreads start intertwining at the top after shampooing, and the coils will have some thickness.
During this phase, you need to improve your grooming process and clean your hair as often as possible to avoid build-up. Budding locKs are usually frizzy and swell in size.
12 to 15 months: teen phase
What happens during the teen phase of locking up hair? This is when your hair starts looking like locks, as the buds and sprouts are almost twice their original size. The teen phase is when most people feel content about their locks as they are now worth displaying.
15 to 18 months: maturity phase
During the maturity phase, your dreads become denser and noticeable in length. You reach this stage after 15 to 18 months and can last 1 to 2 years. Of course, the speed at which your hair grows relies on your hair’s texture.
18 months onwards: rooted phase
At this stage, your locks ought to have grown to the same length and feel heavier. It is upon you to trim your locks or let them grow as far as you desire. Also, you need to take care of your dreadlocks for them to look glamorous.
The question of, "How long does it take for dreads to lock?" is quite common among those who want to rock the style. It is a journey that requires patience and care. And also, remember that certain factors are beyond your control, like your hair type and growth rate. So, hang in there; your dreads will eventually lock.
Are you looking for the best dreadlock styles for women? Tuko.co.ke featured an interesting article, listing 60 dreadlock styles that women can rock regardless of age and head shape.
For instance, ladies can go for short dreadlocks style for ladies with short hair if they don’t want their locks to go past their neck. There are also other styles for women looking for something out of the ordinary.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
