Frequently Asked Questions

Temporary Dreadlocks

No, generally speaking dreadlock extensions are light-weight (depending on where you get them from) and are plaited into the hair. I do not do these especially tight as they can be uncomfortable otherwise. Braids are considered to be a 'protective style' and so can actually be good for your hair as long as you remove them before your natural hair grows so long at the roots that it is pulling. This usually happens between 8-12 weeks, so you should not keep the dreads in for longer than that.

Nothing is actually required to maintain these. I have always found they last longer if you wash them as little as possible. More of your scalp is exposed to air than usual, so you may find it gets dry, so you can use various products for this. I have always found that plain Rosewater in a spray bottle is the best for this, and does not cause any build up.

I suggest to all my clients to only keep Dreadlock extensions in for 8-12 weeks as if you exceed this time (depending on your hair type) you will probably find that the hair growth before the plait starts will natually lock, which could result in your dreads being far harder to remove - but not impossible. It is possible to grow real dreadlocks from having extensions, but it is not a way I suggest.

Yes, to some degree it is normal to experience some itching, this will settle down and can be controlled with a spray of rosewater to your scalp, this will help it stay hydrated. Lumps, bumps and redness is common, but nothing to worry about. It normally occurs when hair strands (normally around the nape of the neck on the hairline) are pulling and the hair follicle becomes inflamed. This area may need to be re-plaited a little looser as it may be more tension than your scalp is used to. If you think you are having an allergic response to the materials, please consult your loctitian immediately. It is possible to have a contact reaction to synthetic dreadlocks. This is much less likely with wool dreads.

Not even slightly. Most people say they find it relaxing and could fall asleep. Sitting upright for long periods of time can be a drag though.. and we can stop for breaks and leg stretches if needed.

Real Dreadlocks

If you wish to have real dreadlocks, you need to bear in mind that you will lose just under half of your original length. That being said, if you are not bothered about how long your dreads will be after installation, I will need at least 5 inches of hair to work with. If you would like long dreadlocks straight away, or your hair is too short to begin with to achieve the length you want - then you can consider real hair extensions as an option. I have a couple of great real hair suppliers (both ethical) and many people choose this option, as it can be a shock when people see how much length they lose during the locking process.

The short answer is no - your hair will not be returned to it's original state. You can have your locs combed out, and you can have hair again, but you will lose alot of your length in this process depending on how long you have had your dreads. I generally do not accept comb-out jobs, as I find them too soul destroying, unless I have created the dreads in the first place then this can be discussed. When I chose to start my dreadlocks again many years ago, I decided to shave my head as I knew that this process would take such a long time to do and I would be left with very little length anyway, as my dreads were 6 years old. To give this some context - it takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour to comb out ONE dreadlock.

If you are not sure if Dreadlocks are for you - please consider plait in extensions first as these are completely reversible.

The amount of maintenance with real Dreads is person specific. Everything from having them installed and leaving them alone forever, to palm rolling them yourself, to having them maintained every three months. It is personal preference.

I suggest to my clients, that they have a maintenance session with me every three months and wash them as little as possible (this can be an adjustment if you used to wash your hair daily) but again, this ranges. I do not suggest the use of ANY product on your Dreadlocks, but there are many products out there that claim to help with locking and keeping the scalp hydrated. I find a spray of rosewater if the scalp is itchy is enough, but the itching does calm down by itself over time.

Yes! You can go swimming and sleeping with your Dreadlocks is uncomfortable at first as it is like having a bulky item under your head to begin with. For both these activities, I suggest putting your dreads up on top of your head in a bun or high ponytail, and covering with a silk hat or using a silk pillow (for sleeping). This will help prevent them from being frizzy, especially in the early stages. Try not to get your Dreadlocks wet with water that has chlorine in. Sea water is very good for dreadlocks and aids the locking process.

When it comes to real dreadlocks, it is not possible that you are having an allergic response to your dreads, as they are made up of your own hair, and I do not use any products. Lumps, bumps and itching at first are all very common, but the itching settles down, and the lumps and bumps are absolutely nothing to worry about. More of your scalp is now exposed to the elements than ever before, and so it can get dry sometimes and you may have lumps and bumps on your scalp that you were not even aware of, and you are now due to your hair being sectioned. Rosewater spray will help with any dryness.

I am not going to lie to you - yes it does. The method I use (the crochet method) involved pulling individual hairs into each other using a crochet hook, and this can be a bit ouchy! some people tolerate it better than others and while everyone moans about it, most people agree that it is worth the pain. I always suggest to take a paracetamol before you come to see me if you know you are going to struggle with this. The quicker we get it done, the quicker it is over!

Frequently Asked Questions

Temporary Dreadlocks

Do plait-in Dreads damage my natural hair?

What do I need to do to maintain them?

What happens if I leave them in for longer than 12 weeks?

Is it normal to have lumps and bumps and itching on my scalp after installation?

Does it hurt, having Dreadlock extensions plaited in?

Not even slightly. Most people say they find it relaxing and could fall asleep. Sitting upright for long periods of time can be a drag though.. and we can stop for breaks and leg stretches if needed.

Real Dreadlocks

Does my hair need to be long to have real dreadlocks installed?

Can my hair be returned to it's original state after Dreadlock creation?

If you are not sure if Dreadlocks are for you - please consider plait in extensions first as these are completely reversible.

Is there much maintenance involved in having real Dreadlocks?

​ The amount of maintenance with real Dreads is person specific. Everything from having them installed and leaving them alone forever, to palm rolling them yourself, to having them maintained every three months. It is personal preference.

What do I do with my Dreadlocks when I go to bed? Can I go swimming?

Is it normal to have lumps and bumps and itching on my scalp after installation?

Does it hurt, having Dreadlocks installed? Or having maintenance?

The amount of maintenance with real Dreads is person specific. Everything from having them installed and leaving them alone forever, to palm rolling them yourself, to having them maintained every three months. It is personal preference.