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Dreading a beard is not for everyone. It’s a process that takes patience and time. But when you’re done, it can be pretty awesome! If you are thinking about dreading your beard, read this blog post to get the lowdown on how to do it properly and to learn some care tips for keeping your new look fresh. You’ll also find some cool images of bearded dudes, so you know what to expect before getting started with the process!
What are beard dreads?
I guess you already know what are dreadlocks (when they’re on your head, at least). But if you don’t, then let me give you a brief description: they’re basically matted hair that is braided and gives off the illusion of having “dread” like locks.
Beard dreads are basically exactly the same but on your facial hair. And in this case, beard locks are often called beard dreads.
The process is pretty much the same as getting dreads anywhere else on the body. You need long hair and apply dread wax or other products to your facial hair as you go. But we are going to get into more detail later. For now, let’s see now why you should get a dread beard.
Related Article: 10 Best Viking Beard Styles: Photos & How To Grow
Why You should dread your beard?
There are many reasons you might want to get a dreadlock beard.
First, it looks pretty cool! And if you’re like most guys who grow beards, then there’s a chance you already have some beard hair. Why not put that hair to good use and make it look awesome?
You can also make dreads in your beard for spiritual and religious purposes. Believe it or not, the Rastafarian movement is all about having dreadlocks. So, getting a beard dread might be something you want to do if you are into that lifestyle.
Finally, a dreadlock beard is a good option if you want to try something different and show off your individuality. Just like not everyone has the same hairstyle, not everyone has the same beard. It’s unique to you!
If this sounds like something you want to try, then read on to get started!
How to deadlock your beard?
Dreadlocking your beard is not difficult, but it does require some time and patience. If you’re not into that sort of thing, then maybe it’s not for you. But if you want to give it a try, here’s what you need to know:
- Grow a full beard
This is the hardest part. You can’t really dread your beard if it isn’t long enough. So you need to grow your beard for a few months before getting started. We have talked about growing a beard before, so if you’re thinking about growing one, then check out that post for more information
- Wash your beard
Now that you have a full beard, it’s time to get that hair ready for dreading. You will need to wash your beard with beard shampoo. You can wash it with your regular shampoo, but beard shampoos are specially made for the needs of long beards. They clean and hydrate without damage like regular shampoos, which is important if you want to get beard dreads. After you are done washing, dry your beard with a towel. This will get it ready for dreading!
- Section your beard
After washing, you will need to section your beard. Now, this is a bit more difficult than it sounds. If you have a thick or long beard, you might be able to dread it as one piece, but more often than not, you will need to take smaller sections and dread them individually. The number of sections depends on the length and thickness of your beard, but it is also a matter of personal preference.
- Lock your beard
Now it’s time to make the dreads! It is not easy to do it yourself, and you might need an extra hand. When dreading your beard, all you have to do is take the section you are working with and twist it in against itself until it locks. This will create a little knot of hair; these are the dreadlocks! Just repeat the process over the ratted hair until your entire beard is locked into a nice beard dread. Because it is difficult to explain it in words, there is a video below to understand how it is done!
- Apply Beard Wax
Because beard hair is thicker when compared to scalp hair, it can be harder to create dreadlocks. So after you have locked your beard, applying some dread wax to the locks will help the dreads hold longer. This will also make them look more like real dreads instead of just matted hair.
- Take care of the dreads
Now that you have finished dreading your beard, you will need to take care of dem dreads :P. Wash them every two days or so and use beard oil, specially made for beards, once daily. This will help keep the look tight and give it that nice sheen! If the hair starts growing out, you might need to dread them again.
- Use some accessories
It is pretty common for people who dread beards to want to use accessories, like beads. If you want this look, then use accessories that will not damage your dreads, like plastic beads instead of glass ones.
5 Cool Dread Beard Styles
Long dreadlock beards
A beard dread that is long and thick enough to be locked up into dreads is a rare sight, but when you do see one, it’s so cool!
Goatee beard dreadlocks
If you want to give your goatee a dreadlock look, then this is the way to do it!
Short dreadlock beards
Dreads are most commonly seen on people with long beards, but dreads can also look great on people with shorter beards, so don’t be afraid to try them out!
Braided beard
Love the look of little braids in your beard? Why not bread it instead! Just take small sections and braid them before locking them up.
Jack Sparrow style
I am sure you know who Jack Sparrow is; if you do, you probably love the look of his dreadlocks. With this style, all you need is a long beard and two to three small braids, and you will look great!
Related Article: Top 12 Johnny Depp Beard Styles: [How to get Them]
Dread Beard FAQ
No, if you take care of them properly, they are not bad for your hair. If you just let the dreads grow out, they will become a problem because the hair starts to get matted, which causes breakage. But if you do regular maintenance with beard oil or some other moisturizer, then your dreadlocks won’t do any damage.
The time it takes to grow a full dreadlock beard depends on the length and thickness of your beard, as well as how tight you like them. The longer, thicker, and more tightly braided your beard dreadlocks are, the longer it will take to rat your hair, but overall you will need 4 to 6 months.
No, dreadlocks are not dead hair. They are hair strands matted together.
Not at all; dreads are worn by many professionals in the business world. They are also very popular in the hip-hop community as well as among professional musicians.
Yes, but if they are too loose, it might be hard to do yourself. If that’s the case, then go to a salon, and they should be able to help you!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed these cool dreaded beard style tips and images and found some inspiration for your next grooming project. If you’re looking for advice from someone who’s been there before, we encourage you to hit up the comments section where other bearded men have shared the wisdom that has helped them grow into full-blown beardsmen.
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
