Frequently Asked Questions
DE - Double Ended - when 1 dread fold in half and you get two ends (dreads)
SE - Single Ended - 1 dread with a loop. How do you install it on your head?
The advantage of DE over SE is less braiding, but more dreads, more volume, and better coverage of the partitions.
SE are good when the head is braided partially or, for example, to extend natural dreadlocks.
For the entire head, you will need 55DE (60DE for the very thick hair) Double Ended dreads or 80-100SE - Single Ended dreads.
45-50DE for normal hair (70-80SE)
40-45DE - if you want to leave your bangs unbraided.
Mohawk/ Undercut/Shaved Temples - 25-30DE (35DE for thick hair) or 50-60SE dreads.
For the back of the head 5-25DE (5-30SE) - depends on the desired volume.
If you are using a Single Ended - with a loop, then pass a strand of hair through the loop and then divide it into two.
Before reaching the end of the hair, add a thread of a suitable color - either to match the color of the dreads, or to match the color of the hair. I usually use a thread for embroidery, like moulene or iris. Continue braiding the braid with the thread, and then wrap it tightly around the end of the hair so it doesn't stick out.And be sure to secure the thread well with three knots.
The easiest way to wash your dreads is to mix a little shampoo and water in a bottle and wash your scalp with it. Then rinse well, wrap the dreads in a towel to soak up the water (no rub!) and then just let them dry on their own. Do not use hair conditioner or a hair dryer.
After you remove the dreadlocks, you can put them in a wash bag and wash them in a washing machine on a light regime at 30 degrees, adding a little detergent and conditioner. Or by hand, as long as you rinse them well. Then just let them hang and dry.
If your dreadlocks come with curls, for the first week after installation, you should separate them 1-2 times a day with your hands, moisturizing them at the same time. You can do this with wet hands or by spraying with a pulvilizer. It is necessary to separate them from other strands and dreads for a few days, so that they take their shape and keep it for a long time.
It is even better if you prepare a curl care formula. Dilute 10-15g of conditioner in 150-200ml of water in a sprayer, mix well and you're good to go.
At night, the curls should be braided into one or two braids to prevent them from tangling during sleep.
I use 100% high quality, time-tested kanekalon for our sets. It is a hypoallergenic synthetic fiber dreads of which can be used many times and can be recycled if desired.
Like any other interaction with the living human body, braiding has its own contraindications.
Here are the main ones:
☠️ Alopecia, all forms of focal alopecia
☠️ Chronic skin diseases: psoriasis, neurodermatitis
☠️ Seborrhea, eczema, pediculosis, dermatitis
☠️ frequent headaches, migraines
☠️ pustular skin diseases
☠️ Scalp injuries, sunburns, fresh scars
☠️ Unhealed aesthetic modifications: tattoos, microdermals, piercings
☠️ Recent or pending medical surgeries
⠀Warn your hairdresser if you have moles and scars on your head that need to be treated with caution.
Some contraindications, can be rather classified as non-strict. For example, I have suffered from neurodermatitis on my head since childhood, and at an older age I started suffering from chronic migraines. But that doesn't stop me from practically wearing dreadlocks all the time, having picked the right treatment shampoo and pills.
Temporary dreads are a great thing and completely harmless, but there are situations to watch out for.
The ends of synthetic dreads are likely to lose their original form of wear time - unlike natural hair, synthetic hair eventually becomes dreads itself. To make them smooth again, you can use curling iron, but only with a damp cloth so as not to melt the plastic hair. Or steamer without damp cloth. You can do it while still wearing it, the main thing is to be careful not to get burned. Below is a link to the video, where I show how to straighten the ends and what else you can do with them. @deadcatdreads_