Dreadlocks are one of the protective hairstyles that are quite common among people with thick hair. Colored dreadlocks look lovely and appeal the loc lovers who are just thinking about starting their loc journey. If you have dreadlocks and you are bored of your simple locs, still don't let anyone let you feel down by telling you that it is not a versatile hairstyle because it is. Dreadlocks are now one of the emerging hairstyles that are easy to manage, but also you can hitch the look in different looks by simply coloring the dreads or highlighting a few dreads.
Bleaching the dreadlocks is a tricky phase. It requires some strong chemicals to stain the locs. In addition, it requires different intensities of chemicals for different types of hair. If you are new to this trend, you can get help from a professional colorist to avoid any hair damage. Further, you can dye your locs at home with some patience and complete research. For this purpose, you will need to be extra careful about the process and the products you apply to your hair.
Coloring the dreadlocks offers you an excellent chance to learn new skills and create something unique from your dull and uninteresting locks. Moreover, it is a great way to transform your look from time to time. In addition, you are allowed to either go for temporary hair color or with a permanent hair dye. However, you also get a wide range of colors and shades. Keeping the color of your skin attention, you can either go for a lighter or a darker shade. Moreover, looking at the recent trends, you can choose the highlights, balayage, or ombre shades.
In this article, we will guide you on how to color locs naturally? Which is the best natural hair dye for dreadlocks? What tips and tricks must you follow to prevent damage to your colored dreadlocks? Before sharing the best tips for the colored dreadlocks, a few concerns must be addressed beforehand.
Can I Dye My Own Locs, or Should I Seek Professional Help?
If you are new to the locs journey, you may be confused about your decision to color the locs. You may think that you should perform this procedure at home or see a professional? The hair experts are professionals who have good experience, skills, and know-how to treat different hair types. While coloring any hair, either simple straight hair or the dreadlocks, getting help from professionals is always a safe choice.
To avoid any potential damage to your hair, you must prefer a hair colorist to dye your locks. Coloring locs and different hair types require a lot of experience from practice. It is quite a tough decision to die the locs as you have already spent capital and time building your locs. Hence, seek professional help from a loctician or colorist.
If you already have experience dying your hair at home, you can choose to do it yourself at home. First, however, complete your research about different hair coloring brands and their products before starting the procedure. In addition, know all the pros and cons of the process to know the process thoroughly. Moreover, follow our dyed dreads tips and tricks to get the best results for colored dreadlocks.
Look at Your Dreadlocks Condition
Before starting the coloring journey, it is important to look at your dreadlocks. Start by examining the hair condition, including the texture, length, and thickness of the locs. If your dreads are strong enough to handle the harsh chemicals and bleaching agents used in this process, then proceed. However, if you see that you are already suffering from hair breakage and brittle hair, give some time to your locs to get into better condition, and then dye your locs.
Additionally, if your locs feel dry and you find your locs hanging by single strands, it is not a good decision to color them as it will further damage them in several ways and leave them brittle and hard. Hence, complete your hair analysis before selecting a hair dye. Further, you can get professional help and know more about how to dye locs without bleach to avoid further damage to your hair. Finally, there is no harm in waiting for two or three months to regain the healthy version of your locs for getting your desired colored dreadlocks.
How to Care for Dreadlocks before Coloring them?
Hair coloring is a process that leaves the hair dry, so it requires extra moisture to keep them in good health. Always prep your hair well before coloring them. Give enough oil treatment to your hair so that your hair doesn't lack moisture. Use any essential hair oil such as coconut oil, Rosemary oil, or other scented oil to strengthen the hair before coloring.
If you have a healthy scalp and good hair in advance, you are suitable for the dye. But, if you already have thin, weak, or damaged hair, it is not easy to treat them. In this condition, coloring hair is a complete disaster. So, you must be patient enough to wait for a few months until your hair gains its health back.
Before starting the color journey, you must notice another primary concern is to loom for the coloring options available. Look for the best dye for dreadlocks that leave the minor damage to your hair., For instance, the permanent color requires hair stripping with strong chemicals such as ammonia and peroxide. It results in a wide range of colors that last longer on the locs and damage the hair. If the locs are not treated professionally and not well-maintained after hair dye, it can result in severe side effects.
It is better to go for the natural shades that match your natural hair because, in this way, it will be easy to dye the hair. It is good that you will easily match the shade with your hair, but the side effect is that you may need to perform the same process several times for a significant effect to be noticed. Hence, choose the coloring option according to your hair health—concern a hair expert to get a professional opinion.
5 Best Tips for Colored Dreadlocks for Women
There are many ways of coloring the dreadlocks, but the most crucial part of this process is to take care of your colored dreadlocks. In this section, we will guide you about the best tips and tricks for keeping your locs in the best of their condition and shape. Apart from coloring tips, here are a few tips that you must follow to prevent any damage after hair color.
1: Keep your colored dreadlocks moisturized
Moisture is a significant factor in keeping the hair healthy. Regardless of the hairstyle or hair type, it helps in hair growth and overall appearance. If you have a good hair care routine that helps in keeping the hair moisturized with hair oils and conditioners, you might have noticed a good shine in your hair. Likewise, for colored dreadlocks, it is essential to lock the moisture in the colored locs.
There are a few ways by which you can lock the moisture into your hair, such as by using essential hair oils or drying your hair in air. First, don't forget to massage your scalp with essential oils like Jojoba hair oil, coconut oil, or rosemary oil. These hair oils affect the overall growth of the locs and lock the moisture in the hair. Further, it keeps them away from drying after using bleaching agents on the hair.
2: Use sulfate-free shampoo
Using the right shampoo and conditioner for the locs is very important. Mostly the shampoo strips away the natural hair oils and any moisture from the scalp. Cut off the excessive shampoo on your hair as it leaves the hair dry. The use of residue-free shampoo is a good option for dreadlocks. You can even switch to sulfate-free shampoo to ensure that this product will not strip off your bleached dreads.
Use the best color rinse for locs if you want to color your locks temporarily. The color rinse will help prevent damage to your locs as it doesn't involve any reaction.
3: Let your locs air dry
After coloring the hair strands, keeping them away from excessive heat use is essential. Post-bleaching, the hair locs are already patched, and using a blow dryer to dry them can worsen the condition. Likewise, avoid styling your colored dreadlocks with the help of heating equipment. Excessive heating after coloring the hair can be very damaging to your hair.
Let your hair dry in the air but don't expose it much to the sunlight. Use a headscarf or a satin head cap to avoid sun exposure. Also, try to cover your hair from the sun's UV rays as it can be damaging to the bleached hair.
4: Strengthen your hair with good diet
Diet is another important component that has significant impact on hair. Hair requires proper nutrition from food and hair care products to grow well. For this purpose, focus on your diet and include the protein sources in your diet. Protein is an essential component that strengthens the hair and maintains its shape.
Milk, beans, and leafy vegetables are good sources of protein. Take the food enriched with Omega 3 and other saturated fats that boost the overall hair health and growth.
5: Keep your colored dreadlocks clean
Many people consider that washing the dreadlocks can be damaging, but it is merely a myth. Instead, keep your colored dreadlocks clean using residue-free shampoo and deep conditioning products. Wash your dreadlocks twice a week to remove any buildup. For maintaining the dreadlocks, keeping them clean and fresh is very important. After two months, deep cleanse the locs to remove any residue or dust buildup.
This is the best option if you want to transform your look and restyle your hair with dreadlocks. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and enter into a new phase of colored dreadlocks. This type of styling allows you to go blonde or any other way you want to recreate your look. Follow the basic tips before and after the coloring to keep your hair in good shape.
It is crucial not to underestimate the side effects of the bleaching process as it uses an extensive range of harsh chemicals which cause potential damage. Hence, follow your dream of coloring your dreadlocks by following the essential tips and professional recommendations.
