I was sitting here thinking about my lockdown journey and how I initially wanted thin dreadlocks, but eventually, over the years, I blended them together to make them bigger…thicker, and now as I start a whole NEW journey… I’m going back to thin again. Due to my experience of having both, I now feel like I can talk about some of the pros and cons of both. I know that for various reasons some decide they want thin dreadlocks and others go for thicker dreadlocks, so I wanted to share some ideas based on my own personal experiences…
Fine dreadlocks:
advantages
- Hair is fuller and has more volume (this is an advantage for people with fine hair)
- The thinner the dreadlocks, the more the locked hair can mimic loose hair in terms of appearance, styling, etc.
- It’s usually more aesthetically pleasing and acceptable to those who aren’t particularly fond of dreadlocks. This is NOT to say that we should try to please others and base our size on that… but if things like a job or whatever concern you, this may be an option… a workable compromise, if you’re going to
Cons
- If the hair is already thick and voluminous, it could make the hair TOO big
- Takes longer to maintain (tighten roots, etc.)
- Separating them when they try to “marry” together can be more tedious
- If you’re not careful and your hair isn’t at its strongest, there may be a higher chance that it will break.
- It cannot be easily “sculpted” into certain styles unless braided or twisted into thicker sections.
thick dreadlocks:
Advantages:
- Thicker dreadlocks can “tame” super thick hair if you don’t want a lot of volume.
- They are easier to “sculpt” into certain styles (curls, Bantu knots, etc.)
- This usually means a smaller amount, which in turn means less time spent on maintenance (tightening/twisting)
- In some cases, stronger and more durable.
Cons:
- Thicker sized dreads do not produce as much volume so if your hair is already on the thin side this can give a more “flaky” look and if your hair is thick and you want to keep that full look it will reduce the volume
- May take longer to dry when wet as thicker ones seem to absorb/hold water more
- Don’t mimic loose hair and styles as easily and as easily as skinnier dreadlocks.
- Depending on the thickness, it may not be as versatile.
So there you have it! Based on MY personal experiences with thin and thick dreadlocks, those are some of the main differences I’ve observed. Hopefully that helped in terms of making your own decision on what size to make your dreadlocks and remember, it’s always easier to go from thin to thick than thick to thin!