Dreadlock Rubber Bands: Types, Usage, and Precautions

Using dreadlock rubber bands can help manage loose hair, but improper use can cause problems. This article discusses everything you need to know about rubber band dreads and how to prevent misuse.

Types of Rubber Bands for Dreadlocks

There are two main types of rubber bands commonly used for dreadlocks:

• Rubber Bands: Made of rubber, these bands grip hair well and are very flexible, stretching out over time. However, they can be easily consumed by the hair and turn into a gooey substance if left in too long.
• Elastic Bands: These bands have a more plastic feel and are known for use on braces. They are less flexible and won't overstretch like standard rubber bands. Elastic bands also won't turn into a gooey mess, but they don't grip hair as well as standard rubber bands.

Neither type of rubber band is inherently better or worse; each has different pros and cons associated with dreadlocks.

Dreadlock Rubber Band Guidelines

To prevent problems when using rubber bands in dreadlocks, follow these guidelines:

1. Avoid Making Rubber Bands Too Loose or Too Tight

Elastic rubber bands that are too loose are ineffective and tend to slide off. Elastic bands that are too tight, especially at the roots, can inhibit the locking process, restricting hair movement needed for dreadlock formation.

Read also: Caring for Dreadlocks

Standard rubber bands that are too loose may still be somewhat effective due to the rubber's "grippy" nature. However, when these rubber bands are too tight, they can also restrict hair movement, thus restricting the locking process.

Finding a middle ground is essential. Experiment with different tightness levels until you find a happy medium where the hair is held in place without being too tight to restrict hair movement within the dreadlock itself.

2. Do Not Leave Rubber Bands in Dreadlocks for Too Long

Leaving standard rubber bands in dreadlocks for an extended period may lead to the dreadlock "eating" or "absorbing" the rubber band. The hair starts to cover and consume the rubber band, making it very difficult or impossible to remove later. It also leads to the rubber band decomposing into a sticky, gooey mess within the dreadlock, which is very difficult to remove.

Leaving elastic rubber bands in for too long, especially if they are too tight, can lead to the "hourglass effect." This occurs when a dreadlock is constricted by a rubber band or string at one spot for too long. The dreadlock grows out, but the area constricted by the rubber band does not knot up, leading to a weak section that may break off as the dreadlocks mature.

3. Only Use Rubber Bands If You Have No Other Choice

It is recommended to avoid using rubber bands altogether. They are not essential for having dreadlocks, and their potential drawbacks outweigh their benefits. In some cases, dreadlock beads can be used in place of rubber bands, providing the same or better results without the problems caused by rubber bands.

Read also: Achieving Ideal Dreadlock Size

Why Use Dreadlock Rubber Bands?

Despite the potential problems, there are a few reasons why people use rubber bands in dreadlocks:

1. To Form Clean Sections During a Dreadlock Installation

This is the best use for rubber bands. Section off your hair and make small ponytails with tiny rubber bands to create clean and neatly organized sections before proceeding with your installation method.

2. To Keep the Loose Hair Around the Roots Neat and Tidy

Many people use rubber bands to hold loose hair around the roots to the dreadlock. While this may seem like a logical solution, it's not necessarily a good one.

3. To Keep the Tip of the Dreadlock Closed/Blunted/Rounded

Some people use rubber bands at the tips of their dreadlocks to help keep the hair contained and prevent having loose, wispy, or open-ended dreadlocks.

4. To Combine Two or More Dreads into One Dreadlock - aka Congo

Combining dreadlocks involves gathering two neighboring dreadlocks and grouping them together with a rubber band directly at the roots. The idea is to hold the dreadlocks close together at the scalp, encouraging them to grow into each other and form one dreadlock over time.

Read also: Simple Dreadlock Hairstyles

5. Holds a Permanent Dreadlock Extension Nice and Tight

Some believe that using rubber bands where extensions are attached will keep them tighter for longer. While this may have some truth to it, using beads is a more effective method. Sliding a very tight bead over the connection of your extensions will provide a much tighter result without the rubber band issues. It is always recommended to use beads over rubber bands for dreadlock extensions.

Pros and Cons of Using Dreadlock Rubber Bands

Pros:

• Quick, cheap, and easy to use
• No product necessary
• Easy to do yourself

Cons:

• It’s a quick and temporary fix
• Rubber bands can be very difficult to remove
• When tied too tightly, rubber bands can restrict the dreadlock, creating a thin spot that may lead to a weak spot and breakage
• If left in your dreadlock for too long, a standard rubber band is likely to embed into your dreadlock
• Standard rubber bands often decay into a gooey substance, which remains inside your dreadlocks

tags: #dreadlock #rubber #bands #types #and #usage

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