The 5 Stages Of The Dreadlock Journey

If you’re new to the world of dreadlocks, you need to know what you’re dealing with before deciding that’s the leap you want to take.

They’re high-maintenance at first, so you should know what you’re getting into.

After deciding what you want to do, it’s necessary to get familiar with the growth process so you can celebrate every inch and weight and loc-down your dreads like a boss

1.The Baby Stage 
In this stage, the process can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on your hair type and how fast it grows. There are several styles like braids, two-strand twists, comb coils, and palm rolls that you can choose from to start your locs.
In the baby stage, it may be difficult because your hair keeps coming undone when shampooing, your locs will look pretty uniform and neat. The best course of action during this stage? Just letting them grow.

2. The Budding Stage
During the budding phase, you might notice that your new growth is puffy and on the fuzzy side. During this stage, your hair will start to stick together at the tops of after shampooing. However, it’s still crucial that you are consistently and thoroughly cleansing your hair to avoid build-up, bumps. At this stage, less of your coils come undone, making it easier to groom afterward. It’s a great idea to practice a re-twisting routine to maintain the style of locs you choose, or intend to transition into. This stage can last anywhere between six to 12 months.

3.The Teenage stage
This stage is exciting because you can see what you envisioned. However, with great hair comes great worries and at this stage you begin wonder what could be going on with your hair. This can be a tough but important stage for your locs. At this stage, your locs start to develop in their form. This is also an excellent time to invest in and experiment with accessories such as scarves, headbands, and head wraps.This stage can last anywhere from 12 to 15 months and again, you don’t want to re-twist your dreads too much because it can cause damage to your hair

4. The Mature stage
This begins as early as one year after beginning your journey depending on the texture of your hair. There’s no need to worry if your locs are not looking mature yet, it just happens that the looser the hair texture, the longer it takes for your dreads to mature. You just know you’ve reached the mature stage when your dreads are finally long enough to lie flat or hang down, you won’t have to re-twist your new growth as often during this period.  You’ll be comfortable with your dreads by now, and able to enjoy a regular shampooing and conditioning routine. This stage lasts from to 15 to 18 months.

5. The Adult Stage 
Once your locs are firmly in place, you’re officially in the adult stage. This stage comes several years later. In the final stage, your locs will hang differently. They feel heavier and at the same time more slender. This will be around 18 to 21 months. At this point, you’ll be able to wear your dreadlocs well past your waist or trim them if you want a more manageable style.

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