You’re staring at the mirror, clutching a comb or maybe a crochet hook, wondering if you should actually do it. Most people think the transition is just about "getting cool hair," but honestly, the before and after dreadlocks experience is a total physiological and psychological shift. It’s not just a hairstyle. It’s a commitment to a different type of biology.
I’ve seen people go into this expecting instant "Bob Marley" vibes, only to realize two weeks later that their head feels like it's covered in itchy, Velcro sausages. That’s the reality nobody posts on Instagram. You see the polished "after" photos, but you don't see the "ugly stage" where your hair looks like a bird's nest that lost a fight with a lawnmower.
The Physical Architecture of the Shift
When you look at hair before and after dreadlocks, you’re looking at a fundamental change in how your sebum—that’s your natural scalp oil—interacts with your strands. In loose hair, oil travels down the shaft. It’s easy. You brush it, the oil spreads, you wash it, the oil leaves.
Dreadlocks change the game entirely.
Once the hair is knotted, that oil gets trapped. If you aren't careful, the "after" version of your hair can become a literal sponge for environmental debris. This is why "loc breakdown" videos are so popular on TikTok; people are horrified to see what comes out of a five-year-old dreadlock during a deep soak.
Why Your Scalp Will Probably Freak Out
The first thing you’ll notice in the "after" phase is the weight. Hair is surprisingly heavy when it’s bundled together. For some, this causes traction alopecia—a thinning of the hair caused by constant pulling. You might get "tension bumps" at the nape of your neck. It's your scalp’s way of saying, "Hey, what is this extra three pounds you just added?"
If you have a history of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, the before and after dreadlocks comparison might be a bit of a nightmare at first. You can’t just scrub your scalp the same way anymore. You have to learn the art of the "squeeze and rinse."
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Methods and Their Dramatic Aftermath
How you start determines exactly how that "after" looks three years down the line. There isn't just one way to do this.
Backcombing and Waxing
This is the old-school method. You take a section, tease it toward the scalp, and sometimes slather it in beeswax. Note: Please don’t use heavy beeswax. Real talk—beeswax is nearly impossible to get out of the center of a loc without high-heat melting, which can damage the hair. The "after" of a waxed loc is often a sticky, lint-attracting magnet.
Freeform or "Neglect"
This is the most natural route. You just stop combing. Simple. But the "after" is unpredictable. Your hair decides where the sections go. You might end up with "congos"—where two or three locs decide to fuse into one giant mega-loc. It’s a vibe, for sure, but it requires a lot of patience.
Twist and Rip or Interlocking
These are more controlled. Interlocking uses a tool to pull the hair through itself. It’s great for people who are active or swim a lot because the "after" is very secure. It won't unravel the second you hit a swimming pool. However, if done too tightly, you risk permanent scarring of the follicles.
The Psychological "After": More Than Just Aesthetics
There is a weird, documented phenomenon regarding the before and after dreadlocks mental state. In many cultures, hair is seen as an extension of the nervous system or a storehouse for memories.
When you stop combing your hair, you stop a daily ritual of "smoothing things out." You’re forced to accept imperfection. For some, the "before" was a person who spent 45 minutes every morning with a flat iron. The "after" is a person who wakes up, shakes their head, and goes. That 45-minute reclaimed window often changes people's morning routines in ways they didn't expect.
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But then there's the "public" after.
People will touch your hair. They shouldn't, but they will. You become a walking conversation piece. For some, this is an empowering reclamation of identity, especially for Black individuals moving away from chemical relaxers. For others, it’s an unexpected burden of "representing" a subculture they just joined because they liked the look.
Managing the "Ugly Stage"
Let’s be real: months three through eight are usually a disaster. Your hair is loopy. It’s frizzy. It’s not "hair" anymore, but it's not quite "dreadlocks" either. This is where most people quit. They look at their before and after dreadlocks goals and realize they are currently in the "middle" which looks like a neglected mop.
To survive this, you need to understand the science of "matting." Hair has tiny scales called cuticles. To get them to lock, those scales need to be slightly raised so they can hook into each other. Using a residue-free shampoo is non-negotiable here. Traditional shampoos have "conditioners" (silicones) that smooth the cuticle. That’s exactly what you don't want if you’re trying to encourage knots.
Long-term Maintenance: The Five-Year Horizon
If you stick with it, the "after" becomes incredibly low-maintenance, but not "no-maintenance."
- The ACV Rinse: Every six months, you’ll likely need an Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda soak. This breaks down the buildup inside the loc.
- Separation: You have to manually pull your locs apart at the roots. If you don't, they will eventually grow into one single, solid mat over your entire head.
- Drying: This is the big one. If you go to bed with damp locs, they can literally grow mold. It’s called "loc rot." You need a high-powered hooded dryer or a lot of sunlight.
Real Data on Hair Health
The University of Johannesburg conducted studies on the mechanical properties of dreadlocks, and the findings were fascinating. They found that while locs are structurally very strong, they are prone to "hygral fatigue"—the weakening of hair fibers due to repeated swelling and shrinking when wet.
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This means your before and after dreadlocks comparison isn't just about length; it's about density. A loc is much denser than a braid or a ponytail. It retains water for much longer, which can lead to a heavy, damp environment that can actually weaken the hair over a decade if not dried properly.
Common Misconceptions to Toss Out
- "You can't wash them." False. If you don't wash them, they won't lock. Salt and cleanliness actually help the hair mat.
- "You have to shave your head to get rid of them." Mostly false. With enough conditioner, a metal comb, and about 40 hours of patience, you can usually pick them out. It’s brutal, but possible.
- "They’re dirty." Only if the person is dirty. Hair is hair.
Strategic Next Steps for the Transition
If you are genuinely moving from the "before" to the "after" phase, stop using any product with "dimethicone" or "amodimethicone" immediately. These are silicones that make hair slippery. You want the opposite.
Start by switching to a clarifying, residue-free soap. Look at brands like Dollylocks or even basic Dr. Bronner’s (though be careful with hard water, as Bronner's can leave a film).
Get a silk or satin pillowcase. Friction from cotton can rip the hair fibers and create "frizz" that never actually integrates into the loc. Plus, it prevents your hair from sucking all the moisture out of your face while you sleep.
Finally, take a high-quality "before" photo. Not for the 'gram, but for your own sanity. On the days when you feel like your hair is a mess and nothing is happening, you’ll need that photo to see how much the texture has actually shifted. The change is slow. It’s like watching a glacier move. But one day, you’ll wake up, and the hair won't fall down anymore—it’ll stay exactly where you put it. That’s when you know you’ve officially reached the "after."
Actionable Checklist for Starters
- Audit your shower: Toss anything with "softening" agents. You need a residue-free foundation.
- Scalp health first: Buy a peppermint-based scalp oil to combat the inevitable itch of the first month.
- Dry time: Budget at least three hours for your hair to dry. Do not plan on washing your hair at 9:00 PM unless you have a professional-grade dryer.
- Sectioning: Decide now if you want a "brick-lay" pattern (more organized) or random sections (more natural). You can’t easily change this later without starting over.
The before and after dreadlocks journey is essentially a lesson in letting go of control. You provide the environment, but the hair does the work.