Have you ever tried weighing your dreadlocks? It has always been a fascination of mine to discover how much my dreadlocks weigh? I know that people who trim their dreads usually weigh them and have gotten an accurate number.
However there, are many factors that influence the weight of your locs. For instance, people with thick hair will have more dreads on their heads than people with thinner hair.
The question I can answer with ease is: Are dreadlocks heavier than loose hair? Yes.
Loose hair sheds daily and ends up on the ground or your bathroom sink. But dreadlocks, collect all of this hair contributing to its weight, thickness, and length.
What Is hair?
Hair is made of a protein called keratin and comprises three layers. It contains dead cells that are extremely lightweight. However, long thick dreadlocks that are waist length or dragging on the ground can be heavy, resulting in neck pain and headache.
The Three Layers
The Cuticle: This is the first layer of your hair. As a result, it provides protection and determines the softness and dryness of your dreads.
Cortex: The Layer that contains your hair’s natural color and shape.
Medulla– The inner layer of the hair shaft, it is barely visible and serve as the marrow of the hair.
What about Wet Dreads How Much Do They Weigh?
It makes sense that wet dreadlocks are heavier than dry dreads because they soak up water like a sponge contributing to its weight. Again, the length and the age of your locs determines how much water your hair retained.
Therefore, it is important to squeeze out as much water from your dreadlocks, before exiting the shower because you can end up wetting your floor. Then take your towel and cover your dreads so it can soak up any remaining water.
There is no telling how much water dreadlocks hold when they are wet, but it can add up to 1-2 pounds of extra weight.
Age, thickness and Length of Dreadlocks
Newly installed dreadlocks weigh the exact amount as loose hair. You may not notice a difference immediately. None the less, with age and length, your hair will eventually feel heavier.
Thick loose hair will in time become dense dreads, they look amazing and healthy, but as they grow in length, it may put pressure on the scalp. If you are experiencing thinning if the roots, neck pain, and headaches and your dreads are extremely long -it is time for a trim.
Trimming your dreads is not a bad thing, especially if it is easing your headache. People have done worst like; combing out or shaving their dreads because of the pain.
Using Wax and Products that Cause Buildup Increases Dreadlocks Weight
Using wax in dreadlocks will not make your hair lock faster; that is a myth. It only increases buildup that is difficult to remove and add weight to your dreads, causing them to feel lifeless, stiff, and heavy.
Products with creamy or thick consistency will cause more harm than good, so stay far away from them. Only use natural products like oils free from fragrance and parabens.
The Takeaway
Calculating how much your dreadlocks weigh is a difficult task as many factors influence the heaviness of your locs. However, the hair itself is very lightweight. Therefore, if you are experiencing neck pain or headache as a result of your locs consider trimming them to a manageable length.
You can also install thinner dreadlocks, as thick dreads are a bit heavier. Furthermore, stay away from products that cause buildup as this can add extra weight to your locs.
My name is Penny Thomas, I love blogging, and the founder of HTW dreads. I had dreadlocks for the past tens years. However, I cut my hair off to grow them with natural oils and no wax. Apart from my hair, I love reading and swimming.
