Everything You'll Need to Know
• What are synthetic dreads?
They are the synthetic cousin of natural dreadlocks. These come in a variety of colors and styles, and are either braided into your hair or tied to elastics and worn as dread
falls. Provided they are taken care of they can be worn again and again!
• Why choose synthetic dreads?
Whether you want to spice up an evening's outfit, or change up your look, synthetic dreads are a temporary alternative to the real thing. The wide color range means that you can have dreads to match any hair color!
• How do I wear dreads?
With a little know-how, synthetic dreads are easily braided into your natural hair to give the appearance of real dreads. Dread falls are mounted on elastic which are tied
over high buns or pigtails.
• Can you install my dreads for me?
Yes! If you live in Toronto or close surrounding areas (Scarborough, Mississauga, Pickering etc.) I can come to you. My installation fees are very reasonable: $20/hour
($25 for dreads made by someone else) plus transportation.
• How long can I keep my dreads in?
As long as you'd like! Dread extensions can be worn for as little or as long as you are
comfortable with. Since your hair still grows while they're installed, eventually your
roots will require you to remove them and reinstall them. Otherwise your natural hair
may begin to dread itself. Depending on hair growth and the installation method, you
can wear your dreads anywhere from 1-3 months.
• Help! My scalp is itchy and sore? Is something wrong?
As long as you haven't installed them too tightly, no, you're just fine. Dreads, while they seem light, can pull on your scalp and cause mild irritation including itchiness and even pain. If you are new to wearing dreads you are especially susceptible to this.
This is normal for a few days until the dreads loosen up and your scalp adjusts. If you
experience any itching or redness, spritzing your scalp with tea tree oil should help
soothe your skin. If the pain persists I advise removing your dreads and giving your
scalp a break. When you go to reinstall them try using fewer dreads and braid them in
a little looser.
• Some of the elastics have begun to snap, what do I do?
The biggest preventative measure to this problem is to use mini rubber elastics -not the cheap plastic ones!- when you are installing your dreads. Your elastics may snap for many reasons; time/age, pressure/tightness of the elastic... The best thing to do is double up on the elastics and use two instead of one when they are being installed. If you notice that an elastic has snapped, tighten the braid and replace the elastic as soon as possible.
• Can I wash my hair with dread extensions in?
Of course! Before undertaking any washing, please be advised that dreads are incredibly heavy when wet. To avoid this, tie your dreads into high pigtails and cover
them with a couple plastic bags. Secure them at the base with elastics to prevent any water from getting in and you're ready!
If you find your scalp getting oily, simply dilute your shampoo with water and pour it over your scalp. I find a clean plastic dye bottle or old shampoo bottle work best for this. Gently lather and make sure to rinse out all the soap. Avoid rubbing your roots
too much as this circular motion can begin to dread your natural hair.
To dry your dreads, press them gently with a towel and allow them to air dry. This can take some time (up to a few hours depending on how wet they are), so if you need to quicken the process a hair dryer on the COOL setting will help things along. DO NOT use heat to dry your dreads! This can cause the synthetic fibers to melt/warp. Avoid
sleeping on your dreads when they're wet as this can cause them to crease, and your natural hair may develop mold which can cause odor.
• Can I swim with dread extensions in?
Yes, but please remember that they will become quite heavy. Make sure to wash your hair thoroughly to remove any chlorine or dirt from your hair and dreads. Follow the above directions and allow time for them to dry. If you want to avoid this, you may be able to wear a bathing cap depending on the size of your dreads.
• How do I take my dreads out?
All you need is a small pair of scissors and your fingers. Find the elastics binding your
hair to the dread, and (carefully as to not cut your own hair) snip the elastics. Once removed gently roll the dread in your fingers to loosen the hair and unbraid. When the dread has been removed carefully comb the section of hair and move on to the next until they're all out.
• I've just taken my dreads out and it looks like my hair is falling out!
You can relax, your hair isn't falling out. The average human sheds around 100 strands of hair per day. While your dreads are installed this hair isn't able to come out. They will build up until you remove your dreads which is why it seems like so much is coming out at once.
• How do I clean my dreads?
If you notice that your dreads have begun to retain odor, simply place them in a clean dryer bag or pillow case and pop them in the washing machine on a delicate cycle
using COLD water. From here, remove the dreads from the bad and place them on a
hanger or towel and let them air dry.
• The ends of my dread has started to fray, what do I do?
Don't worry! This may happen with wear and doesn't mean that your dreads are falling apart. If the ends of your dreads are very thin you may take a pair of scissors and snip just above the fray on a 45 degree angle (a blunt cut may cause the dread to fray again later on).
The following method should be done carefully unless you know what you're doing.
Find a clean face cloth, a bowl of warm water, and a flat iron. Use your feet or a hanger (for single ended dreads) to hold one end of the dread. Use your fingers to smooth down the dread, gently twisting it in the same direction as it's made (to the right for mine). Wet and ring out the face cloth and place it over the dread while holding the end tightly (the one not being held with your feet). Take your flat iron and run it over the cloth until you reach the end. The steam produced from the flat iron touching the wet cloth will produce enough steam to reseal the dread. Make sure to keep the towel damp and be careful not to burn your fingers!
I can also reseal your dreads for you for a minimal fee of $0.50 per dread (plus shipping
if you live outside the city).
• How should I store my dreads?
Simply hang them up in a dry, ventilated area when you aren't using them. Ideally you want to treat them as you would any nice clothing. A hanger on a door handle works
perfectly. Additionally, you may want to return them to the plastic bags they were
delivered in and store them lying flat.
If you have any questions that aren't answered in this document, please send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you out :)
They are the synthetic cousin of natural dreadlocks. These come in a variety of colors and styles, and are either braided into your hair or tied to elastics and worn as dread
falls. Provided they are taken care of they can be worn again and again!
• Why choose synthetic dreads?
Whether you want to spice up an evening's outfit, or change up your look, synthetic dreads are a temporary alternative to the real thing. The wide color range means that you can have dreads to match any hair color!
• How do I wear dreads?
With a little know-how, synthetic dreads are easily braided into your natural hair to give the appearance of real dreads. Dread falls are mounted on elastic which are tied
over high buns or pigtails.
• Can you install my dreads for me?
Yes! If you live in Toronto or close surrounding areas (Scarborough, Mississauga, Pickering etc.) I can come to you. My installation fees are very reasonable: $20/hour
($25 for dreads made by someone else) plus transportation.
• How long can I keep my dreads in?
As long as you'd like! Dread extensions can be worn for as little or as long as you are
comfortable with. Since your hair still grows while they're installed, eventually your
roots will require you to remove them and reinstall them. Otherwise your natural hair
may begin to dread itself. Depending on hair growth and the installation method, you
can wear your dreads anywhere from 1-3 months.
• Help! My scalp is itchy and sore? Is something wrong?
As long as you haven't installed them too tightly, no, you're just fine. Dreads, while they seem light, can pull on your scalp and cause mild irritation including itchiness and even pain. If you are new to wearing dreads you are especially susceptible to this.
This is normal for a few days until the dreads loosen up and your scalp adjusts. If you
experience any itching or redness, spritzing your scalp with tea tree oil should help
soothe your skin. If the pain persists I advise removing your dreads and giving your
scalp a break. When you go to reinstall them try using fewer dreads and braid them in
a little looser.
• Some of the elastics have begun to snap, what do I do?
The biggest preventative measure to this problem is to use mini rubber elastics -not the cheap plastic ones!- when you are installing your dreads. Your elastics may snap for many reasons; time/age, pressure/tightness of the elastic... The best thing to do is double up on the elastics and use two instead of one when they are being installed. If you notice that an elastic has snapped, tighten the braid and replace the elastic as soon as possible.
• Can I wash my hair with dread extensions in?
Of course! Before undertaking any washing, please be advised that dreads are incredibly heavy when wet. To avoid this, tie your dreads into high pigtails and cover
them with a couple plastic bags. Secure them at the base with elastics to prevent any water from getting in and you're ready!
If you find your scalp getting oily, simply dilute your shampoo with water and pour it over your scalp. I find a clean plastic dye bottle or old shampoo bottle work best for this. Gently lather and make sure to rinse out all the soap. Avoid rubbing your roots
too much as this circular motion can begin to dread your natural hair.
To dry your dreads, press them gently with a towel and allow them to air dry. This can take some time (up to a few hours depending on how wet they are), so if you need to quicken the process a hair dryer on the COOL setting will help things along. DO NOT use heat to dry your dreads! This can cause the synthetic fibers to melt/warp. Avoid
sleeping on your dreads when they're wet as this can cause them to crease, and your natural hair may develop mold which can cause odor.
• Can I swim with dread extensions in?
Yes, but please remember that they will become quite heavy. Make sure to wash your hair thoroughly to remove any chlorine or dirt from your hair and dreads. Follow the above directions and allow time for them to dry. If you want to avoid this, you may be able to wear a bathing cap depending on the size of your dreads.
• How do I take my dreads out?
All you need is a small pair of scissors and your fingers. Find the elastics binding your
hair to the dread, and (carefully as to not cut your own hair) snip the elastics. Once removed gently roll the dread in your fingers to loosen the hair and unbraid. When the dread has been removed carefully comb the section of hair and move on to the next until they're all out.
• I've just taken my dreads out and it looks like my hair is falling out!
You can relax, your hair isn't falling out. The average human sheds around 100 strands of hair per day. While your dreads are installed this hair isn't able to come out. They will build up until you remove your dreads which is why it seems like so much is coming out at once.
• How do I clean my dreads?
If you notice that your dreads have begun to retain odor, simply place them in a clean dryer bag or pillow case and pop them in the washing machine on a delicate cycle
using COLD water. From here, remove the dreads from the bad and place them on a
hanger or towel and let them air dry.
• The ends of my dread has started to fray, what do I do?
Don't worry! This may happen with wear and doesn't mean that your dreads are falling apart. If the ends of your dreads are very thin you may take a pair of scissors and snip just above the fray on a 45 degree angle (a blunt cut may cause the dread to fray again later on).
The following method should be done carefully unless you know what you're doing.
Find a clean face cloth, a bowl of warm water, and a flat iron. Use your feet or a hanger (for single ended dreads) to hold one end of the dread. Use your fingers to smooth down the dread, gently twisting it in the same direction as it's made (to the right for mine). Wet and ring out the face cloth and place it over the dread while holding the end tightly (the one not being held with your feet). Take your flat iron and run it over the cloth until you reach the end. The steam produced from the flat iron touching the wet cloth will produce enough steam to reseal the dread. Make sure to keep the towel damp and be careful not to burn your fingers!
I can also reseal your dreads for you for a minimal fee of $0.50 per dread (plus shipping
if you live outside the city).
• How should I store my dreads?
Simply hang them up in a dry, ventilated area when you aren't using them. Ideally you want to treat them as you would any nice clothing. A hanger on a door handle works
perfectly. Additionally, you may want to return them to the plastic bags they were
delivered in and store them lying flat.
If you have any questions that aren't answered in this document, please send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you out :)