FAQ
Q: Will dreadlocks damage my hair?
A: Are you braiding them in temporarily or crocheting them in permanent? Either way, will have a slightly different answer. If you braid dreadlocks in temporarily and install them on DRY clean hair, firmly but not overly tightly, this is a protective style that will help your hair grow long, strong, and healthy. If you are opting to permanently install them using the crochet method you hair should remain intact, though if you later brush them out and remove them you are likely to cause some damage and lose some fullness and length due to the process of removal. We naturally shed around 100 strands of hair daily, so it is to be expected that we will have a big pile of loose hair when removing dreadlocks of this type regardless of the method. Don't panic! This is normal! You are losing all of those daily shed strands all at once!
Q: Can I wash my hair?
A: YES! You can wash as little or as much as you need! I personally use dry shampoo between washes, but you can wash your hair every single day if you so choose.
Q: Do I have to dry my hair every time I wash?
A: A dry scalp is a happy scalp! Even if you let your dreadlocks drip-dry, I highly recommend at least drying your scalp to prevent moisture from sitting against your skin too long. The scalp is ALSO skin, just like your face. Treat your scalp with the love and care your treat your face! I also have a page recommending products to help with upkeep and care that you can buy on Amazon (note: If you buy a product I recommend on Amazon it costs you the same but I may be compensated for the recommendation). I found a hair dryer that is LIFE CHANGING (here) in that it dries from 3 sides at once! It saves me SO MUCH TIME!
Q: What products do I need to keep up my dreadlocks?
A: Do you have natural dreadlocks installed as well? Are my products braided in, crocheted in, or temporary filler? If my products are added to your existing dreadlocks I recommend you follow the advice of your loctician on care. If you have my dreadlocks braided in I recommend you focus on shampooing only your scalp and roots, ignoring the lengths of the dreadlocks unless they are truly dirty. I wash my own dreadlocks with dish soap! It doesn't have to be fancy, just no-residue!
Q: Luxury ends are so fancy, but how do I care for them?
A: Honestly? I ignore mine! Occasionally if I am attending a fancy event, photoshoot, or just want a more refined and polished look I might brush them very loosely and quickly or even curl them or straighten them. My recommendation is that you ALWAYS use a heat protection on your luxury ends if you are going to heat style them at all. You are welcome to rinse them with water, shampoo and condition, or just completely ignore them (they will not unravel or anything, no maintenance needed!).
Q: Dreads, locs, or dreadlocks?! Which is the correct term?
A: Historically speaking, no matter the terminology, dreads/locs/dreadlocks were viewed in a derogatory manner. In today's world of SEO, keywords, and reach it is unfortunate that the term 'loc' (which is preferred by many people) does not have the recognition, reach, or marketing power it deserves but wishing will change nothing. Words are just words, it is the intent behind the word that matters. Super star locticians that have served thousands of dreadheads will tell you that no matter their own preference, if they are trying to market themselves or provide educational materials or anything else, they will miss out majorly if they do not use the terms dreads or dreadlocks.
Q: Someone told me dreadlocks are cultural appropriation, what do I say to them?
A: First, which culture? Most cultures in the history of the world have had at least some members throughout history that have worn their hair thus. I wouldn't waste my time or energy trying to educate or correct someone who is committed to misunderstanding me, but if you would like to hear from someone from Africa currently living in Dubai (known as the Loc King!) I would point them in the direction of Kris McDred. He has done extensive research into the history of dreadlocks down to the tribal customs of several sources of the hair style and what he has to say might surprise you!
Q: Does all hair dread?
A: It absolutely does! The curlier your hair, the easier it is to do naturally, but even straight smooth hair can make gorgeous dreadlocks- and will, if washed but left unbrushed over time.
Q: Someone told me my hair is matted, not dreadlocked/loced. Are they right?
A: Let's look at science to answer this question... Yes, your hair is matted, but so is everyone else's that has dreadlocks. Regardless of the texture of your hair when you start, all hair is matting to become dreadlocks. You can see this especially with wool (which is an animal protein fiber, just like human hair) in how different breeds of sheep produce wool that felts into slightly different textures. A coat, a sheet of felt, a yarn... all ways that hair (human or sheep) forms. The curlier and coarser texture hair will take shape with less felting, however it is still felting. Very mature dreadlocks are actually very felted! This is also why I tell people to wash their hair: the dreadlocks sets I have personally started and maintained mature faster when they are washed often with soap and water (especially warm/hot water); this is also why you should pay attention to how much you are washing your hair for temporary dreadlocks.
Q: How long can I keep my dreadlocks in?
A: If they are permanently installed.... well... forever! If you are braiding them in, I recommend you not leave them in more than 6 weeks, though I tend to remove and deep clean mine every 4 weeks. The more you wash a set of braided-in dreadlocks the more likely your hair will try to merge with them, which can be damaging when you remove them. Everyone's hair is different, so just pay attention to what is happening for yourself.
Q: How long will these extensions last?
A: I have sets I've had for a decade or longer... really, they are incredibly durable and can last forever. Don't let kittens chew on them though, they can be gnawed in half!
Q: How do I deep clean my braid-in extensions between installations?
A: I toss mine in the washing machine, gentle cycle, warm water. They will likely thicken up and get shorter if you wash them on hot, but when the cycle is finished you can firmly pull them straight/longer again. This can accelerate the felting process to make them look even more mature, but gentle cycle on warm should keep them mostly the same. You might have to pull loose fuzzies off of them after! I recommend hanging to dry.
Q: Do I need to prep my hair before an install?
A: You do not have to, but if you have dry, damaged, brittle, or color treated hair I recommend a mask. The one I use is Natural Tech Hair Building Pak (a Davines product) that I get from a stylist friend. I use it between shampoo and conditioner, leave in for AT LEAST 5 minutes, and then rinse and then condition and rinse again. I have found this helps the cuticle lay down smooth, increasing the strength and shine of my hair. Combined with this mask and less heat styling and brushing, my hair is longer, thicker, and healthier than it has ever been!
Q: What should I use to secure my dreadlocks if I braid them in?
A: I recommend RUBBER bands, not elastics! Don't over-loop/tighten them, they need to be secure not stretched so tight they cause friction. Also, you want a package that will re-seal so that oxygen does not dry out and break down the rubber too quickly. See the suggested products page here!
Q: What about sleeping? How on earth do I sleep with all this hair?!
A: I usually flip my hair straight up off the top of my pillow, but if you toss a lot you may want to consider a silk bonnet!
Q: Can I swim with them? What if they get wet?
A: You can get them wet, though dyed wool dreadlocks can be bleached by chemicals like chlorine. If you do need to get them wet, wet them before swimming in chemicals. You can also opt to keep them dry with a swim turban, as recommended here.
If you have any other questions, please email me at xprettydreadfulx@gmail.com !