Having grown dreadlocks herself once, Sanju Lama can’t think of any reasonable explanation as to why anyone would choose to have them. She remembers the pain of maintaining it. But she also recalls exactly how cool and confident they made her feel. Apparently, she enjoyed every moment of it and, these days, she enjoys hooking her clients with them. A large number of Lama’s clientele at the Asylum Salon in Thamel include foreigners but, over the years, she has also seen the trend gain an immense of popularity among Nepalis. Here the hairstylist shares her tips on maintaining dreadlocks. 

Natural dreadlocks vs. artificial dreadlocks
Personally, Lama recommends growing dreads yourself because this way you don’t have to be plagued with the worry of the extensions falling off. Even when you do secure the extensions really well, she says, one never knows when it might come off.

“Nothing beats the classic, culture-rich appearance of dreadlocks. But if you’re looking to sport this hairstyle, you’ll have to be patient,” explains Lama. Though in the meantime, you can speed up the process a little by using castor oil loaded in essential fatty acids – the good kind of fat or coconut oil since it contains a plethora of beneficial vitamins. If you regularly massage your scalp, it should help you grow good quality dreads.

On the other hand, if you are trying extension, Lama says you will have to let your hair grow to a length of at least six inches. Otherwise, it is very difficult to weave it to your head. She apparently also asks her client to not wash their hair for at least two days before coming to have their extensions done. Her foremost tip is to make sure that the hairstylist is using good quality extensions. Personally, at her salon, she always prefers natural hair extensions to fiber extensions. However, even when you insist on using natural extensions, there are factors such as split ends and lice to be wary off. Lama tells us accounts of customers who have had lice head because they didn’t check the extensions beforehand while getting them done at other places. Needless to say, it wasn’t a pretty sight.

Rumor alert: You do not wash dreadlocks. Hair must be dirty to dread.
The fact is if you do not wash your hair it will stink especially if there are in dreads. So let it be clear for once and for all, dreadlocked hair needs to be washed regularly just like un-dreaded hair. You can wash dreads just as you would wash a sponge, by working the shampoo in, gently but diligently massaging your head and then squeezing and rinsing repeatedly to get all the soap out. 

Another fact, clean hair will actually lock up faster than dirty or oily hair. So Lama recommends, washing up at least twice every week. Further since regular shampoo tends to clump up while lathering up dreaded hair, her advice is to fix your shampoo with some water beforehand and then use the mixture on your hair. In Lama’s opinion, anti dandruff shampoo may be the best bet since that is another common problem among dreadlocked hair.

Day to day care
You will soon find that life with dreadlocks is vastly different. In many ways, your responsibilities increase. For instance, you will find out that you can’t immediately rush out of the house after a shower like before. Your hair will be dripping water for quite a while so you will need to put some time aside especially to dry out your dreads. And this will take some time. Be patient. Don’t consider putting it under a hat or anything as well because a damp dread leads to a kind of smelly hair that you don’t want on top of your head.

Similarly while sleeping, Lama advices people to always tie or plait their dreads. She finds it protects your dreadlocks from becoming frizzy. When you are first getting your dreads in order, it is really important to wear some type of band around your head when you sleep.

Last, but not the least, there is the tightening of the dreads. This is basic maintenance for anybody who has this kind of hair. Some people share that palm rolling your dreads is actually a great way to keep them tight, keep them looking awesome and to maintain their shape. This is actually how you make your dreads too – of course, using a bit of wax is suggested when you are first starting out. But once in a while, you might want to visit a salon as well. 

In fact, for those who have extensions there is no choice in the matter. If you wish to secure your dreads and keep them looking just right, you will need some expert help every once in a while. Lama says that tightening dreads is a lengthy process, considering the amount of hair one has, it might even take up to two days. So to be on the safe side you might want to take a day off just for this and a little warning, this process of tightening dreads tends to be painful as well. So brace yourself.

For that extra effect: So in conclusion, it’s apparent that those with dreadlocks are pretty committed to the task. It may not be easy but many sporting dreads find it to be immensely satisfying and you do have the luxury of playing around with the style as well.

Not only do they have hair perfume, Lama tells us, accessories for dreadlocks are very popular among her clients. From beads to embroidered wraps, the choices are aplenty. 

 
• dreadlocks
 
• sanju lama