Dreadlocks: Beautiful or hideous and unsanitary?

Dreadlocks. It is what some call a misunderstood hairstyle. But even with all the negative theories tied to it, it’s nice to see some women with beautifully done dreadlocks, especially when they are styled up right and individually set apart by colour and length. They are simple to have done, that’s what is so great about them; one can use beeswax, egg whites, glue or melted oil to form the twisted strands. Or you can just choose to stop combing your hair and the dreads will form on their own. With them, you can add a number of accessories, for example, colourful beads. Mary Muhonga wears dreadlocks and most people she knows think they are fashionable. “When you walk around, sometimes you notice people admiring the long dreads and even ask if it’s your natural hair or fake locks.” Muhonga also says the hairstyle is versatile as she can choose to wear them up or down, braid them, let them loose and curl or straighten them. Ann Ntusarare, a hairstylist at a salon near Kimisagara market, deals with twisting dreads for both male and females. She says before choosing locks as a hairstyle, you should first check the dress code at your place of employment. “It is best for someone to talk to the human resource department and know if dreadlocks are tolerated or not. Most young people end up shaving their locks because of a work place that does not permit it,” she says. “Dreadlocks are a beautiful way to express yourself but they come at a price. If you are the type of person who likes to change your look often, then this is not the hairstyle for you and therefore you should opt for nonpermanent dreads,” Ntusarare adds. Ntusarare also says that growing locks can be a long and difficult process and if you aren’t ready to spend time taking good care of them, it can be a disaster. Peter Muhumuza has been growing dreads for five years and he says it has become much easier to maintain his hair style than it was the first time. “The most difficult part with having locks is dealing with the misconceptions of society that doesn’t understand the style,” he says. According to him, people believe that those who wear dreads do not wash their hair which is not true. As long as they are properly maintained, dreadlocks can be just as elegant as any other hairstyle. Mind about the wash or the colour of the jeans. Make sure to take a closer look before paying for the jeans because you might end up taking home something that will run out of colour within a month. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Lifestyle

Dreadlocks: Beautiful or hideous and unsanitary?