Forum Activity for @arkynstone-gypsyfae

First week freak out

Dreadlocks Journey Emotional Support

I had similar experiences with family. The best I can offer on that front is to try to hold on to your sense of self and remember that it's YOUR hair, your choice. Your family will either come to accept it or not, and that's on them. Don't be afraid to tell anyone - politely - that their comments are inappropriate, hurtful, or unnecessary. Do your best to not be defensive as, in my personal experience, it only seems to egg on those who feed on drama because they see you getting upset as a 'win'. If you decide to try to educate those close to you in an effort to help them understand your choice, give them all angles of the dread process and emphasize your happiness with your choice.

Also, I work in the health care industry. My supervisor was supportive and open to me starting my natural dreading journey five and a half months ago. I told her that there would be days where my hair would be unruly, and that I would be able to pull it back or dress it up a bit if anyone had issue with it. She was very cool about it. I wouldn't worry about it affecting your job prospects. As long as you're keeping it clean, you should be good to go.

Good luck on your journey! Keep us posted!

<3

Fat beads

Dread Accessories

Mine are still babies and growing (5.5 months in the natural process), but I've been looking in to options just from a cost standpoint. Have you thought about making your own? You can buy clay from a craft store and make the beads as wide as you need in a variety of colors or combine colors. You can also inlay wire before baking to hang charms from them and stuff like that if that's what you like. I bought some clay to try it but haven't gotten there yet. Just a thought...

Question about washing in early stages

Dread Maintenance

On the drying front... if, like me, there are times where you can't just let it air dry (I shake it out by 'headbanging' after getting out of the shower), gently press with a towel to get much of the moisture out. Don't rub. I also will lightly wrap the towel around my head turban style (end loose) for up to ten minutes while getting dressed if I'm really in a hurry and don't want wet spots on my clothes.

Hope this helps!

A new TV series with the intention to dispel the myths and stereotypes around people with dreadlocks

Dreads as Community Leaders/Builders

This is a needed topic. :3

soaring eagle said:

maybe could do an episode on how it affects teens when they arent alowed a sence of identity, individuality and a personal style and are forced to conform

updated by @arkynstone-gypsyfae: 07/22/15 11:39:58AM

Epsom Salt?

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

Update # 2: I was able to do a sea salt soak for the first time. Seemed to be very much the same as the results from the Epsom salt soak - nice soft dreads, more locking and tightening, happy scalp (and skin). So, from my perspective and experience, it doesn't seem to matter which is used. Just make sure you rinse well after the soak, like soaring eagle said in his one post. Soak, take a break, soak, rinse. I just took a bath, soaked my head twice during, and then showered off just long enough to rinse my locs.

Epsom Salt?

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

Update on this: I did try the Epsom, with the understanding that it might cause dreads to loosen a bit. I have to report that it seemed to work just fine. My scalp felt really good - free of any shampoo/sweat residue (though I do use a lower residue shampoo anyway) and my dreads seemed to lock up a bit more and they felt a little softer to the touch. I haven't done it again yet, but I'm thinking that once a month or every other month might be ok for soaking if I don't get to the beach through the summer as I hope or don't pick up sea salt to use at home.

Just wanted to get it out there in case anyone else thinks of trying it. My experience went just fine.

Epsom Salt?

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

Wow! That's horrible! Thanks for the info!

Epsom Salt?

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

Hi Everyone!

I've been thinking of trying something different to help the process (I'm just over 4 months in) and I've seen posts regarding using apple cider vinegar / baking soda or sea salt solutions on dreads to deep cleanse and/or help lock up a little more. My question is this: is Epsom salt an option? I've found some articles/threads where people say yes, some say to combine sea salt and Epsom salt in the solution, and a couple said not to use Epsom salt at all. I ask because I have some Epsom salt in the house and thought if it is a viable option I'd try that first.

I decided to post a thread because I haven't found a good source for pro's and con's or a comparison of Epsom vs sea salt - not much by way of detail, just personal opinion without actual information.

Thanks in advance for any advice and info.

Courtney

updated by @arkynstone-gypsyfae: 01/22/20 09:33:16AM

Hello!

Introduce Yourself

<3 Precisely. I can't help but to laugh whenever I get asked if I wash my hair. It's such a silly question to me but I understand that most people only know what they've been told, no matter how off the mark it actually is. I also find it very cool that people who struck me as being the ones who I thought would have a negative reaction are the ones who seem to be the most interested in watching them grow.

Mujtaba Ali said:

Thanks for sharing this. Glad you found an employer that was open to let you have dreads.

In terms of your family; they'll be more pleased with them when they get used to them I think and also understand more about how clean they actually are. Unfortunately, there's so many negative preconceived notions about them being dirty, for drug abusers etc.

The thing that hits me the most though (in my short experience) is that the people you think would be the most open/understanding/willing to learn/listen about them are the ones who always scream that they're dirty etc etc etc.

Hello!

Introduce Yourself

That was exactly what happened in my case. I tried to explain and she didn't want to hear any of it. I resolved to just let her be upset and hoped she would at least get over the shock. :3 We aren't here to live life anyone's way but our own. <3 If it makes you happy and isn't done with intent to harm anyone, do it.

Brittany Goeden said:

I really appreciate this post, very glad you posted it. I'm on day 4 of my journey, hehe not far but veryn excited. I only mentioned to my mom the other day that I was doing more research on dreads and she was not happy at all. I got the whole "youre going to ruin your hair and have to shave your head" "they look so nasty" "your going to look like a boho" and then finally " I don't even want to talk about this." She wouldn't even hear my reasoning.It put a huge damper on my mood for my dreads. Almost made me change my mind honestly. I don't want to disappoint my mom she's the closest thing to me. But after reading this post I have another outlook once again. A new hope. She will get used to them and I really believe she will learn to love them with me so thank you very much for this post!!!