Synthetic Double / Single Ended Dreadlock Extensions
made of synthetic hair, They are reusable and temporary. They will be braided into your natural hair and can last up to 3 months, but most who use these sets do have them touched up or prefer to do a complete refresh every 5/6 weeks. They can be a great way to dip your toes into the world of dreadlocks. They can be amazing for some but not for everyone , we can discuss the cons of these sets if you would like to know more.
Maintenance
Maintenance can be as often as 2 months and as long as every few years, This will alter the look and end result. From experience the most important maintenance should be the maintenances in that 1st year , Most regular frequency is 3/6 months, the more tidy you want your dreadlocks the more maintenance you will need. It is also important to learn to know your dreadlocks by palm rolling , even when it feels like nothing is happening it makes a big difference over time.
Synthetic Hair
is cheaper than human but it can be irritating on the scalp.
Human Hair
is expensive and mostly used to lengthen natural dreadlocks, With a good installation you may never know that you were wearing extensions. This will add time to the creation of your dreadlocks and of course will differ on each individual type of hair and length.
These extensions are permanent and your natural hair must be dreaded first then the extensions will be attached using crochet method or just built the extensions straight from the created dreadlocks .
No Conditioner
So make sure your shampoo is conditioner free or any shampoo promoting Strength / Shine etc. We will only use natural oils (if needed ) to moisture the dreadlocks from the inside out, or palm roll into the dreadlocks , Depending on your choice of oil you might promote the growth of your dreadlocks, once more I will make sure to guide you in finding what will help your scalp and dreadlocks,
One more thing here: LESS IS MORE.
How Often Should I Wash My Dreadlocks And Which Shampoo Should I Use?
Each person is different and exposed to different environmental factors at home, work, life. To find your personal washing schedule is important and may need a time of adjustment, we will discuss all this before you set yourself on your dreadlock journey and support you if anything arises. I do get concerned if I hear someone washing more than once a week as it can result in left over moisture, shrinkage or over-development.
You also do not have to wash the whole dreadlock (apart if in an unhygienic environment), You can focus on washing the scalp areas that produce the most oil, and most of all rinse, rinse, rinse and personally I love to add an extra cider vinegar water rinse.
Please use a shampoo that has no residue, There are several reputable dreadlock companies with lovely products. I am not sponsored or paid by any of these brands, Just sharing the knowledge on the products I have used on myself, We will discuss what might be the right product for you .
Deep clean are a great way to go deeper inside the dreadlocks.
All these are based on experiences shared and tried but do not represent the dreadlock community as a whole.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We all have busy lives so we can all appreciate not wasting time.
Natalie @Twisteddreadlocks
Wet / Damp Dreadlocks
If your dreadlocks get wet , they must get dry, air drying is not an acceptable option of dread care , dreadlocks retain moisture at their core and end up with bacterial growth, odors, degradation.
I recommend the use of a drying hood to help with the drying process