dreadlocks?

Question

this is a pic of me and my current hair

http://myspace-819.vo.llnwd.net/00896/91/88/896668819_l.jpg

I really really want to get dreadlocks but thats a pretty permanent decesion. Should I do it?? This is an opinionated questions. I want the general publics opinions. So dont tell me i should do what i want. tell me what YOU think i should do

Answer 1

Your current hair is really cute, but I think you could pull off dreads as well. Three of my friends have/had dreads, so I know now that the plus sides are:
not having to style your hair as much
not having to wash your hair as much
being able to put them in cute pigtails which would look dumb with any other sort of hair
they're fun to twist when you're bored
But there are quite a few downsides...
they can get sort of greasy if you try to wax them in an attempt to get them to lock
it's hard to get the dreads in the back of your head looking good because you can't see them and you won't end up twisting them as much
if you sweat a lot or don't live in a building with AC they may end up getting smelly
they can get sort of gross after swimming in pools, ponds, etc
it's really hard to wash them and get all the shampoo out
As for getting the dreads out when you're tired of them: one friend had fine blonde hair and easily combed them out after a few months. My boyfriend, however, had to chop his off, and they were full of gross wax on the inside. My other friend still has hers and they look as cute as ever.
In conclusion: you'd look good, but they're a bit more of a pain than you'd expect. If you already hassle with your hair a lot or don't mind doing so, then go for it. But if you enjoy changing your hair with your mood or randomly jumping into lakes, they might not be a good choice.
Also, I'm sure you already know this, but for the other people out there: beauty is found in individuality and confidence. The girl who commented saying that you'd be stunning if only you didn't have tattoos etc is kidding herself, probably because she's put off by your self-acceptance and ability to showcase your personality. Why would someone who is a blank slate, utterly void of any uniqueness, be breathtaking? Keep doing what you're doing!

Answer 2

between the tattoos, piercings, & multicolored hair, i'd think that you're absolutely accustomed to permanent (or relatively permanent) body modifications/hair transformations. i think you should do it-- if it's something you really want, it's absolutely worth it. i had toyed with the idea for years of having long, barbie-doll stick straight hair. i cut off ten inches & did it about four months ago. there are absolutely mornings where i wake up & can't believe what i've done, but on the whole, i am 100% supportive (& proud) of the decision i've made. you need to be well informed-- most of the people who commented on your question seem to be pretty ignorant when it comes to dreadlocks. you can shampoo them easily, they only get "stinky" if they've gotten moldy or you're dealing with mildew, & they do not require a lot of upkeep (hell- the whole reason i got them was to avoid upkeep). additionally, you can dye your hair whatever color you feel like with dreadlocks. the only reason the color would be less vivid/vibrant would be if you were using wax, which is not necessary and not good for the dreads (it causes the "gunk". "gunk" can be avoided simply but not waxing, & taking care of your locks. you can, quite literally, adopt any hairstyle that someone with non-dreaded hair has & you can transfer it to dreads. they do not limit you. i've actually found that i can "customize" my hair much more with this style-- adding beads, hemp wraps, & peyote stiches. finally, if you did adopt dreadlocks & then decided you didn't want them, you are not forced to shave your head or cut them out-- dreads can be removed with conditioner, a comb, and a lot of patience.


pictures:

pre-dread:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v175/kj_02190/DSCN0238.jpg

dreads:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v175/kj_02190/june098.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v175/kj_02190/DSCN1878.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v175/kj_02190/DSCN1579.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v175/kj_02190/DSCN1492.jpg (prom hair)


though you can't tell from the first picture, i experienced literally NO shrinkage when i got dreaded. shrinkage is most common with the backcombing method for creating dreadlocks, but if you were to dread up & used the rip&twist method instead, your hair would not change lengths.


additionally, be sure to check out the get_up_dread_up community on livejournal. even if you're not an lj user, you still have access to more information regarding dreadlocks than you'll ever need. knottyboy.com also has come good products, but remember, you DON'T need wax.

best of luck.

Answer 3

There are so many reasons to get dreads or not get dreads. It is quite opinionated.

Okay.

1. Your dreads will SHRINK SHRINK SHRINK! Let me tell you that much. My friend had hair below her mid back, and once she got dreads they fully formed and shrank up above her shoulders. That's a lot of shrinkage.

2. They are very hard to keep tidy. Washing them is a pain in the butt and takes forever. My friend had dreads for quite a while and decided she wanted them out, so she cut them off very very very short and spent hours in a salon getting them combed out (actually, it's just as easy to have your friends comb them out), and once she got to the back she heard the poor stylist scream "OHH MY GOD! YOU HAVE BLONDE HAIR... BUT BACK HERE... IT'S GREEN!!!!!!!!" Apparently, mold had been growing in her dreads. Yes, gross.

3. It's hard to dye your hair when they're in dreads. And chances are the colors won't come out as bright because of all the other gunk inside them.

All that being said, I LOVE DREADS! And I wish I could have them.
If you really want them, all that negative stuff I said probably won't effect your decision. If you don't like them you can always just shave your head, which actually doesn't look as bad as most people might think. Also, if you shave it it gives you the chance to wear outrageous wigs all the time!

Answer 4

With all of the tattoos and piercings, your concerns is about permanent hair styles?
Do anything you wish, you couldn't make your look more dramatic, less feminine or more shocking. (unless you put a femur bone through your nose or grew a conjoined twin!)
I think you should save your money for tattoo laser removal and find a new circle of friends who do not encourage you to look like a sideshow freak.
The sad thing about it all is you have the potential of being a breathtaking & stunning beauty but deface yourself instead. You have pretty eyes, lovely bone structure and beautiful skin. I can't get past the tatts and peircings.

Answer 5

Don't listen to what other people say, you SHOULD do what you want, but since you asked, I've had locks for 7 years and I love them. From your pic I see that you're white, and I think it is harder for white people to get them started and to keep them maintained, and also it takes a lot of patience to get them to lock, but if it is what you want then yes i think u should get them. From your pic you look like you're the kind of person who doenst care what other people think anyway (with the tatoos and pink hair) so I don't think locks would be that much of a change for you. Hope I helped and good luck!

Answer 6

If you wouldn't mind cutting your hair once you get tired of the dreadlocks -- then go for it. With you piercings it seems like you're not interested in "corporate America" -- so "just do you."

Answer 7

I don't think you should. The only way to go back after you have them is to cut them all off. Do you really want to do that? Sometimes, they can get stinky which is no good for anybody. It will also make it difficult for you to find employment. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 8

I don't think you really look like a dreads kind of girl...dreads to me seem like they represent a laid-back, carefree attitude...your picture conveys more of an assertive tone
btw...my boyfriend says he thinks you're pretty...so, I think from his point of view he would say don't do dreads.

Answer 9

Unless you plan on spending the time and the energy of taking care of them properly then I would say no don't get them. I have been told that they need alot of attention and upkeep.

Answer 10

You look like Ashley Simpson!Anyways,I think you'd look good if your hair was longer and fuller and dyed either raven black,or a deep red.