Dreadlock Stages

This post will explain the stages your dreadlocks will go through and what you can expect at each stage.

In her book Locs for Life: The Root to Well Being for African-American Women Kalimah Johnson, LMSW, ACSW fully explains the 3 lock stages.  Here is my version:

Infant Stage
This is when you start your locks. You either place coils, 2 strand twists or even braids to create the base for your locks to grow. This is usually a time of excitement. You have made the decision to lock your hair and you are ready to go. You might have been looking at pictures of longer locks and thinking of how your locks will be some day. You feel hopeful. You have a lot of questions in this stage. And you want to be sure to do a good job with the care and nurturing of your hair.

Teen Stage
If you have raised teenagers then you will know how this stage got its name. Its a challenging time. I have heard some also call this the ugly stage. During this time your locks get hard headed. They don't want to listen to you or do what you say. They have a mind of their own. They don't look as great as you imagined them to be when you first started this journey. At this stage, you might seriously consider giving up.

The positive part of this stage however, is the "budding" process will begin. This is when your locks swell and create a bulb that is the core of your lock. This is how you know your locks are turning and becoming locked.  This is is a challenging stage but push through it, don't give up. The reward is just around the corner.

Adult Stage or what I like to call "The Grown Ass Stage"
This is the stage where you start to fall back in love with your hair. Your locks will start to have weight and rhythm, meaning they will start blowing in the wind honey! And they will look fabulous.  At this point you will feel more confident. You have been through the storm so to speak and come out on the other side. You have a better understanding of what your hair needs and how to take care of your dreadlocks. Now you just keep doing what you are doing and watch your locks continue to grow.

The exact time when you will enter into each of these stages will vary, but typically you will go through all the stages within your 1st year to 15 months. That seems like a long time in this instant gratification time we live in but trust me, it is not as bad as you think when you are just starting. And it is worth it.