Dreadlocks, also known as locks, dreads, etc. have become a very popular hairstyle. More and more people nowadays want to change their normal hairstyle to dreadlocks and it’s not surprising why. Dreadlocks offer many unique advantages. However, just like everything else, this specific hairstyle has both positive and negative sides. So, if you are currently deciding whether or not to pick this hairstyle, learning about its pros and cons will help you in your decision-making process.

Pros

People get dreadlocks because of a number of key reasons and benefits. The set of pros this hairstyle offers includes the following:

  • Awesome Look

The primary reason people get dreadlocks is that they look cool. The hairstyle is suitable for virtually everyone; men, women, adults, young, old, and kids. There are many hairstyles out there, but none of them are similar to dreadlocks.

  • Easy to Maintain

Dreadlocks may seem difficult to maintain but they are actually quite easy to care for. Furthermore, you don’t have to think about getting a perfect style when you choose dreadlocks. This is one of the primary reasons many people choose dreads.

  • No More Bad Hair Days

With dreadlocks, you can say goodbye to your bad hair days. When you have long hair, hair tangles become a common problem and it is very time-consuming and frustrating to remove them. One of the best things about dreadlocks is that this hairstyle offers a consistent and clean look every day. It solves your bad hair days problem effectively.

  • Increased Hair Growth

This particular hairstyle promotes increased hair growth. You may begin to notice that your hair has grown a lot in length and it also looks much better. It is one of the key advantages of dreadlocks.

  • Confidence Boost

Dreadlocks boost your confidence. A lot of people out there want to shame you about your talents and style. By choosing to have dreadlocks, you make a statement that you don’t care about others’ opinions. The cool locks give you a taste of freedom and pride.

  • Time-Efficient

Dreadlocks are a time-efficient hairstyle. Once you get them, you will spend less time styling and maintaining them. Not to mention you don’t have to spend a lot of time with your hair in the morning and night.

  • Hassle-free Styling

Styling dreadlocks is hassle-free. In fact, they are one of the best options for daily styling. With other hairstyles, you typically have to use hair products, conditioning, shampoo, etc. But this is not a problem with dreads.

  • Increased Hair Volume

Increased hair volume is a popular advantage of dreadlocks. Keeping dreadlocks makes your hair grow fast in addition to increasing its volume. After wearing this hairstyle, you will begin to notice the difference in your hair volume in just a matter of time.

  • Automatic Protection

Dreadlocks protect your hair. They help you make sure that your hair remains healthy and strong. They stop pollution from getting into your hair roots and making them rough and weak.

  • Trending

This specific hairstyle is not only beneficial for your hair but it has also become a growing fashion trend. Dreadlocks are considered a fashion statement nowadays. The community and professional world are both accepting this hairstyle more than before. Just look up all the popular dread hashtags and get inspired! #dreadstyles #dreadworkstyles #newdreads #longdreads

Cons

Just like virtually everything else, dreadlocks also have their set of cons or drawbacks. These include the following:

  • Unwanted Attention and Stereotyping

Even in today’s modern era, some people still think negatively about dreads. This is mainly because most people don’t know much about this hairstyle in general. So, if you have dreadlocks, expect to get a lot of unwanted attention. If you don’t like this kind of attention, it can get quite frustrating over time.

  • A Lot of Patience is Required

One thing you should keep in mind that no matter what method you use or how much money you spend, you cannot get perfect dreads overnight. Dreadlocks are a study in progress. You will need to properly care for them and continue shaping them over time to get the desired results. They require a lot of patience.

  • Collecting Fluff

This is a very annoying drawback of dreads. They collect the fluff of your clothes. So, be sure not to wear any kind of fluffy knitted wool clothing because if you do, you will have to deal with the problem of your dreads collecting lots of fluff.

  • Uncomfortable at Night

At the start, you will certainly feel discomfort while sleeping with dreads. It will take some time to get used to it.

  • Washing and Drying is Painfully Long

Washing and drying dreadlocks can feel like an eternity. It typically takes 30-45 minutes to simply wash the dreads. Completely drying them can take 3-6 hours. Leaving them wet is not an option because then they will build a foul odor.

  • Itchy Scalp

Since it is not possible to frequently wash dreadlocks, dirt, lint, fur, etc. tend to build up in your scalp leading to an itchy feel. The itchy scalp problem can also surface because of the tension of the weight of dreads, the dryness of the scalp, and lack of head massages.

  • Low-Maintenance Does Not Mean No Maintenance

It’s true that maintaining dreadlocks is less work as compared to maintaining and styling long hair, but there is still some care required. Everything from properly washing and drying them to making sure that they stay properly locked and shaped in place requires time and care from you. For some individuals, it may be seen as a con since the idea of dreadlocks is that they are essentially maintenance-free.

  • Dreads Weigh a Lot and Can Hurt

Dreadlocks are heavy and they also tug on small scalp sections at the roots, which can not only feel unpleasant but may also cause headaches.

  • Costly

Keeping natural dreads may prove to be costly, particularly in the early stages of growing them. Not to mention styling can also be quite expensive since dreadlocks typically require the help of a professional with great skills.

  • Dreadlocks Are a Huge Commitment

Dreadlocks are kind of a permanent deal. Once you grow them, you will not be able to easily make them go away. This is because they are “locked” and matted sections of hair and they are quite difficult to remove. This is a huge commitment if you are used to being able to easily switch your hairstyle from time to time.

Overall, dreadlocks are no doubt a great hairstyle choice as they offer several key advantages. If you are planning to choose this hairstyle, be sure to learn about its pros and cons. If the above-listed cons don’t scare you off and you are willing to put in the care and time to properly maintain them, then there is nothing holding you back from having dreadlocks.