may13,2014 by Nama
We started Blessing’s Dreadlock journey in June of 2011. She was 7 years old, this is the last picture of her little Afro loaded up with conditioner right before we started braiding.
Very first Dreadlocks. July 2011.
Blessing’s dreadlocks could also be referred to as Braidlocks as we started them by braiding her hair. She had 248 tiny braids on her little head at this point. It took us 3 weeks to complete the process. We worked in 2 hour sessions, watched lots of Disney movies and had lots of tears. Blessing wanted the dreadlocks but it is a tough process for a busy little 7 year old.
Fall 2011, 4 months of growth and newly locked.Fall 2011, you can see the “braid ” pattern in each lock if you look close. This picture was taken before we relocked them, you can see the “outgrowth” at the top of each braid.
Spring 2012, about one year of growth.
Winter 2012, 18 months of growth and newly locked + a brand new little niece.
18 months of growth and locking + a brand new puppy.
July 2013 two years .Blessing’s hair is long enough for a pony tail. This is a BIG deal !! Two years.
Fall 2013, two and a half years of growth.
Two and a half years of growth and locking.
May 2014, almost 3 years of growth.
Blessing’s dreadlocks are almost 3 years old.Look at that ponytail . Almost 3 years of growth.
This picture is Blessing’s ponytail with 2 years of growth.
This picture is Blessing’s ponytail with 3 years of growth.
A challenge with Dreadlocks can be how to keep them clean and moisturized. Many products marketed for deadlocks will build up in the locks, this is not healthy for the hair or scalp. Build up is not attractive. We developed build up at about 18 months of growth . i was heart broken, i felt like we were failing and feared we may have to give up the dreadlock journey. After much research we found an amazing cleansing process and we have settled on using only coconut oil for moisturizing .
This picture shows the irregular color and white spots from the sad build-up. This was at 2 years into our journey.
This picture shows the dreadlocks cleansed and using only coconut oil.
Today they are healthy, clean, neat and beautiful !! Blessing and i are delighted to be mastering the dreadlock journey.