Getting Dreads at 61
Well if you have not heard from me for awhile you can always guarantee that I have been up to something. Ha ha. I decided to get dreadlocks two days ago.
I have been contemplating growing my hair long again. So I decided to do dreads also known as dreadlocks or locks. I guess on some level I have been toying with the idea off and on for sometime. Here in Pokhara I see lots of young men and women trekkers with dreads. Most of the barber shops in town advertise that they do dreads. I like the look, the ease and the mystical effect of keeping your subtle energy force safeguarded.
So I started to check it out and finally found a salon here in Pokhara that did dreads. I did the research online and knew that I was in for a lot of pain and a several day "recovery" period. But I was inspired by several women my age I saw online who got dreads and looked great. Thinking "what the heck it is only hair"- I decided to go for it.
Bikram the young man that I fixed the appointment with was not at the shop when I arrived on Wednesday morning. After waiting 10 minutes and reflecting and subsequently panicking, I decided to flee while I had the opportunity. So I rushed past the receptionist and out the door and started at a fast pace down the street. Wouldn't you know it, Bikram came out of nowhere racing towards me. So resigned to my fate I went back with him and took my place in the barber chair.
I scoffed at the prediction of pain as the first few dreads were made. Not a big deal! Each one took about 20 minutes and yes it was painful but not that bad. However as the hours wore on I fully comprehended the reports that I had read online. My scalp got increasing more sore and tender. It took a total of eight hours to finish. This was one time I was not happy to have thick hair. It took 40 dreads to contain all my hair.
Here is how a dread is made. First a section of hair is intensely teased so it literally stands on end by itself. Then the hairdresser starts to twist the section and using a crochet hook he/she "sews" all the hairs into a tight roll. The worst part is when he is working at the root. It feels like you are being suspended by your full weight from that section of hair. You can hear a few of them popping from the roots even. Ouch!
Here is a video if you are curious about the procedure. Click this link if the videobelow does not work for you: https://youtu.be/m_k2xWroUsA
In the USA to get this many dreads would be $400 or more. Here in Nepal I paid about $90 plus tip. If I had went to a barber shop it would have been less. Still an investment but quite a savings. Plus I got a complimentary neck and back massage as part of the cost. Much needed after the ordeal.
I did not sleep much Wednesday night. It was uncomfortable to lie my head down and my head was throbbing. I took ibuprofen and finally got some sleep. Yesterday was brutal as far as pain but after a good sleep last night I feel almost normal today. The scalp has to stretch some and adjust and this takes some time and healing.
Going forward: there is maintenance to be done as new hairs sprout up and have to be woven into one of the dreads. This is something I hope to do myself to save money and also to minimize the pain since I will be able to do a few dreads every day instead of all at once at a salon.
I might add a few beads for decoration and I look forward to them growing longer. My hair has grown below waist length in the past so I think they will be a better length in 6-12 months. I could have added extensions but unfortunately they don't make extensions in "aging grey" - at least not yet! Maybe I will be a trendsetter!
After 8 hours of work/pain my 40 dreads are done but they still had a mind of their own and not ready to lie down. Reminicent of Medusa perhaps?
I have been contemplating growing my hair long again. So I decided to do dreads also known as dreadlocks or locks. I guess on some level I have been toying with the idea off and on for sometime. Here in Pokhara I see lots of young men and women trekkers with dreads. Most of the barber shops in town advertise that they do dreads. I like the look, the ease and the mystical effect of keeping your subtle energy force safeguarded.
So I started to check it out and finally found a salon here in Pokhara that did dreads. I did the research online and knew that I was in for a lot of pain and a several day "recovery" period. But I was inspired by several women my age I saw online who got dreads and looked great. Thinking "what the heck it is only hair"- I decided to go for it.
Bikram my "dread maker"
Bikram the young man that I fixed the appointment with was not at the shop when I arrived on Wednesday morning. After waiting 10 minutes and reflecting and subsequently panicking, I decided to flee while I had the opportunity. So I rushed past the receptionist and out the door and started at a fast pace down the street. Wouldn't you know it, Bikram came out of nowhere racing towards me. So resigned to my fate I went back with him and took my place in the barber chair.
Still smiling at dread #5 --my scalp was still going strong. Pain... what pain?
I scoffed at the prediction of pain as the first few dreads were made. Not a big deal! Each one took about 20 minutes and yes it was painful but not that bad. However as the hours wore on I fully comprehended the reports that I had read online. My scalp got increasing more sore and tender. It took a total of eight hours to finish. This was one time I was not happy to have thick hair. It took 40 dreads to contain all my hair.
Here is how a dread is made. First a section of hair is intensely teased so it literally stands on end by itself. Then the hairdresser starts to twist the section and using a crochet hook he/she "sews" all the hairs into a tight roll. The worst part is when he is working at the root. It feels like you are being suspended by your full weight from that section of hair. You can hear a few of them popping from the roots even. Ouch!
Here is a video if you are curious about the procedure. Click this link if the videobelow does not work for you: https://youtu.be/m_k2xWroUsA
In the USA to get this many dreads would be $400 or more. Here in Nepal I paid about $90 plus tip. If I had went to a barber shop it would have been less. Still an investment but quite a savings. Plus I got a complimentary neck and back massage as part of the cost. Much needed after the ordeal.
I did not sleep much Wednesday night. It was uncomfortable to lie my head down and my head was throbbing. I took ibuprofen and finally got some sleep. Yesterday was brutal as far as pain but after a good sleep last night I feel almost normal today. The scalp has to stretch some and adjust and this takes some time and healing.
Now I am looking more like this. Sometime I hold them back with a scarf or hair band. Most of the 40 are concentrated in the back.
Going forward: there is maintenance to be done as new hairs sprout up and have to be woven into one of the dreads. This is something I hope to do myself to save money and also to minimize the pain since I will be able to do a few dreads every day instead of all at once at a salon.
I might add a few beads for decoration and I look forward to them growing longer. My hair has grown below waist length in the past so I think they will be a better length in 6-12 months. I could have added extensions but unfortunately they don't make extensions in "aging grey" - at least not yet! Maybe I will be a trendsetter!
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