Dread Lock Styles for Men
The dreadlock hairstyle is a distinctive, recognizable hairstyle popularized by reggae musicians such as Bob Marley in the 1970s. This style, in which hair is tightly braided together into thick "dreads," remains popular, especially with young people. Dreadlocks can be worn by both men and women in a variety of different styles. Although dreadlocks are often worn by African-Americans, this style can be worn by people of any race. Does this Spark an idea?
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Origins
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Africans have long worn their hair in dreadlocks, including Masai tribesmen in Kenya. In the modern era, dreadlocks are most associated with the Rastafarian religion in Jamaica, with adherents to Rastafarianism taking a vow to grow their hair into long dreadlocks as an interpretation of a biblical verse, Leviticus 21:5: "They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in their flesh." In Jamaica, the dreadlock hairstyle became popularized during the period of emancipation in the 1830s as a statement of defiance from former slaves. In fact, this hairstyle was initially described as "dreadful" by Europeans living in Jamaica, a term that evolved into the word "dreadlock." During the 1970s, the international popularity of Jamaican reggae — particularly dreadlock-wearing musician Bob Marley — introduced this hairstyle to other parts of the world.
Long
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Marley's dreadlocks were worn long, and many men with dreadlocks prefer to grow their hair long. Dreadlocks are created by dividing your hair into sections or rows, with each section tightly braided together. Each section should have about the same amount of hair. These braids are held together with rubber bands, and are then coated with special hair wax that holds the dreads in place. Once dreadlocks are in place, they are left to grow longer, as dreadlocks are not meant to be cut. The long dreadlock style has been worn by musician Lenny Kravitz and, in film, by Johnny Depp's buccaneer character Captain Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.
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Short
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Some men choose to wear dreadlocks in a shorter style. This can look neater and less unkempt. Many people who have shorter hair styled into dreadlocks do so with an ultimate goal of growing them longer over time, as shorter locks will become stronger and tighter as they grow. For those whose jobs require a professional look, short dreadlocks can be a way to sport this hairstyle while maintaining professional decorum.
Dreadlock Care
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Although there is a myth that people with dreadlocks rarely wash their hair, keeping dreadlocks clean is an important part of maintaining this hairstyle. Buildup of sweat in your hair can cause bacterial growth that may make your scalp itchy, and excessive scratching can result in hair breakage that may negatively affect the look of your dreadlocks. Because shampooing can dry the hair and scalp, you should also apply some type of moisturizer to your scalp to keep your skin from becoming dry.
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References
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