Many people use the terms dreadlocks and locs interchangeably, but there’s a difference between the two. Dreadlocks and locs are different in forming, maintaining, and styling. Let’s dig into the differences so you can decide which term is correct for your hair type.
One can easily trace the words ‘locs’ and ‘dreads’ back to the word ‘dreadlocks.’ However, there is a more significant difference between them in terms of perception and personal expressions. Dreads still hold a dark, painful history related to the slave trade, while the locs are considered a cultural identity.
As Going Natural reported, the core difference between the two is that one is a hairstyle and the other is a lifestyle, according to some people who wear their hair this way. Still, some may prefer to not use the words “dreads” or ” dreadlocks ,” as they have a negative connotation applied to them, the outlet reported.
Not that we want to put up sides and call one side our rivalry and the other our crew, as the term ‘vs’ may imply, we just want to let you know why here, at Dr Locs, we prefer to refer to our locs as locs minus the dread, which has a variety of implications.
Per Going Natural, however, Rastafarians use the word “dreads” to set themselves apart for a cause greater than them. Further, Refinery29 reported that there’s a spiritual connection with locs as certain cultures, like Rastafarians, believe energy is connected to your hair.
Though the term ‘dread’ may have positive sentiments to some people, to many others it has a more negative lean. One of the main aims of the natural hair community is to transform one’s perspective of their natural hair.
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