Thank you, Iroshi! That's a very valuable lesson in how women deal with yet another variety of hair and hairstyle. If you decide to start writing and posting on Medium, this would be a great topic. I never even considered how leaving hair longer could make it less of a hassle!

I know a little about African hair from other posts from women on Medium. I had no idea so much work went into dreadlocks, or the variations possible. It's a learning experience.

As someone mostly bald, hair is not a big deal for me. Well... except you mentioned shedding. I am fairly hairy all over my body, so I shed a fair amount, mostly short hairs. My first wife claimed I shed as much as a small dog. (Usually she said "small." Usually.)