Comprehensive synthetic dreadlock information.

 Types
 Styles
 How to wear/installs
 How long can I wear them?
 Taking them out!
 Bands
 How they are made- sealing, types and why- dreadstations. EXPLAIN ROVING
 Roving vs KK FINISH THIS
 Washing
 Sleeping
 Styling
 Common problems (fuzzies!)
 Re-sealing
 Price range
 Where to buy dreads (including copyright and fakes, read reviews, dangers of online trading)
 Where to buy supplies to make your own- dread tool kit.
 FAQ’s (are they dirty? Are they heavy? Etc) (Manufactured vs machine made
 Links (useful, tutorials)

Synthetic dreads come in many forms, the two main of which are made either from Kanekalon
(shortened to KK) synthetic hair, or roving (unspun wool). You can also make them from other thing
such as PU synth hair, but it does not seal well. Other things used to make synth dreads (and dread
like extensions) are-

Alpaca wool, colinette, bubble wrap, cyber lox/ tubular crin, wool, fleece (fake roving)

Synthetic dreadlocks are those that make before attaching to your own hair in some way- they do
not require any dreadlocking of your own hair- though they can be attached to pre-exisiting
dreadlocks as extenders.

The main way to wear dreads:-

FALLS – Where upon the dreads are attached to a piece of elastic, ribbon or lace so as they can be
tied around the wearers existing hair that has been put into a bun. They cover the hair to make it
look as though the dreadlocks are your own- these are generally worn in two pigtails/bunches, but
can be attached to singular pony tails also. These can also be attached to large jaw clips.

INSTALLED – In which dreadlocks are plaited into your own hair which is sectioned into small
bunches, then braided around the dread using the dreadlock as the third piece of braid. These last
longer, look more natural and can be worn up to three months. This can be used with normal
plaiting, blanket braid, or with special techniques for shorter hair. The braid is usually secured with a
strong elastic, or thread. To do an install your hair must be at least three inches to braid, but there
are ways to put dreads into super short hair also.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

CLIP INS- These are dreads attached to extension clips (or other suitable clips) two or three at a time
and can be clipped into the hair, these are usually used to make falls appear more real and for
coverage.

WIGS – In which a wig is dreaded, or synth hair is added to an existing wig (or indeed is made from
scratch with KK/other materials and a wig cap) and can be worn over the wearers existing hair. You
can also use half wigs to have half coverage, and leave bangs free.

MAIN TYPES OF DREAD

SINGLE ENDED which have a loop at the top to push hair through and braid down, these lie flatter to
the head and are more comfortable to some people.

DOUBLE ENDED which you must fold in half and starting on the join, braid down, these usually
create a fuller but more un-natural (in the way they lie to the head) look, but which many find easier
to install. They also help disguise natural hair since the unbraided side can cover the braided one.

HARLEQUIN in which two single ended dreads are made into a double ended- the loops at the top
are looped together. These have the advantage of the easy install of a double ended dreadlock and
the flatter lie of a single ended (usually)

POPULAR STYLES OF DREAD

I will not list who started each trend, whilst there are some obvious pioneers in some cases, others
are disputed- I will merely list the styles and give information where I can.

Normal twisted KK dreads- In which KK is backcombed, twisted tight and steamed smooth, trying to
make uniform smooth dreadlocks.

Natural Style Dreads- In which KK is backcombed and palm rolled and sealed lightly to create a much
more natural looking and often softer dreadlock.

Crochet dreads- KK is dreaded using a crochet needle. These look very natural indeed, and are
usually the way in which natural dreadlocks are extended since they look closest to the real thing.

Wrappy- in which smaller sections of smooth KK are wrapped around a backcombed section to
create a textured look.

Transitional- In which one colour is twisted into another so the top is one colour and the bottom is
another.

Blended- in which KK colours are hand blended to create unique colours or mixes of colours
(depending on how much they are blended it will look like a new colour, or like one rippled into
another)

Curly- In which the dreads are curled usually around a broom handle or curlers with steam

Candycane- In which two colours are twisted together to create a candy-cane like effect.

Splashed- In which just a small section of the dread shows a twist of another colour

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

With weft (post-apocalyptic) – In which a weft of loose hair is attached to the dread to create a
layered and unfinished look to the style.

Wiggly- In which the dreads are plaited then steamed to create a wiggly rather than bouncy curl
texture.

Tattooed- in which things like leopard print it painted or drawn onto the dread with acrylic or
sharpies- or in the case of roving, carefully needle felted onto the dread.

TO WEAR

To wear FALLS then the wearer usually puts his or her hair into two buns, high on the head, wrap the
hair as tightly as you can and twist it into a topknot/bun and secure as you usually would. In the
section below the place you secured the hair, just above your scalp and before the band, push your
finger through the hair to create a hole in the hair. Take your fall, and push the elastic, if a closed
elastic, through the hole in the hair, then from the other side, pull the band up and over the bun to
secure the fall in place (twist and recover the band until tight and secure) then to finish, flip the fall
back over your hair, this should give full coverage. For unclosed bands, you can do the same, or
simply secure tie the band/ribbon around the bun and tie tightly. If you have enough dreads on your
fall, you should be able to arrange them so as your real hair will not show through. Repeat on the
other side.

Many people like to wear a headband with falls to cover their scalp, this creates the illusion that you
have real dreadlocks, not that they simply start from your buns and do not go to your roots. Having a
fake fringe the same colour as your dreads (if you natural hair/dyed hair is not the right colour) helps
complete the look.

To do and INSTALL takes time and practice, and usually, a helping hand. You firstly need to learn to
braid, or if you can, blanket braid (this is a neater form of braid that helps shorten the braid length of
your real hair and make the dreads look more natural to your head). Installs change depending on
whether you are installing double or single ended dreads.

Many people like to section their hair before they install dreads, this involves carefully sectioning the
hair and banding off each section. A section is the amount of hair it will take you to install one dread,
this is usually about 2cm wide- this of course changes entirely depending on the person, and the
amount of dreads you wish to install. The easiest way to section is to use a rat tail comb to slide
under the layer of hair and lift- this will get you a nice straight section, without bits of hair from the
rest of the head. Once sectioned (if you have chosen to do so) you can start to install your
dreadlocks.

Single ended dreadlocks are installed by hooking or pushing the section of hair through a loop at the
top of the dreadlock, the hair is then split into two smaller sections and using the dread as a third, all
three are braided together and banded off at the bottom. The most common ways to hook the hair
through the loop are with a crochet hook or with a pony band (the kind with the metal band that
covers the join in the elastic) the hard metal section is easier to push through the loop than loose
hair or floppy band.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Double ended dreadlocks are installed by unfolding the dread, and placing the middle (where the
fold was) between the split section of hair, so you should have hair, dread, hair- then the same as
the single ended, you use the dread as a third and braid down. You may have to hold the other end
of the dread in place with a clip, a helping hand or your mouth until you get the hang of not pulling
the dread so as it will slip when you are braiding.

A full head of installs can take anywhere from an hour to eight, depending on how you are installing,
how practiced you are, if you section, how fast you are at braiding and how many you are installing.
The average install time seems to be about three hours- obviously beginners ought to set aside more
time than they feel they may need.

Self-installs are typically much more difficult as you cannot see the back of your head, and reaching
up to braid for so long can become uncomfortable for some. If you get others to install for you, it is
always good to make sure you help by keeping the bands on hand, holding dreads out of the way
(etc).

How long to wear them

Falls cannot be worn over night, they are simply an accessory for one day use, you can install the
next day with ease.

Roving and KK installs are generally worn for up to a month (though some wear them for up to
three) before the wearer takes them out to re-install after washing the dreads and their hair. The
main reason to do this is because if you allow your hair above the dread to grow out for too long,
then your natural hair will begin to dreadlock itself, this will be difficult and potentially harming to
comb out.

Between wearing you can wash your dreads if you feel they need it (see the “how to wash” section)
and wash your own hair well. It is likely you will build up some oil from wearing them, so use a
shampoo to wash your hair twice and then deep condition it. You can reinstall as soon as you choose
afterwards. This will not harm your hair in any way.

Another reason to re-install is that after so long, your own hair begins to get fuzzy on top where it
escapes a little from the braids, depending on the length and quality of hair you can get quite a
build-up of fuzz- this can be snipped off with little consequence if you really wish, but it is best to
simply re-install.

Accessories to installs- Some people after an install like to hide the join where their natural hair
meets the dreadlock, this can be achieved by wrapping yarn/wool around the top of the dread and
tying it tightly off. This can look out of place in some instances. Your natural hair will always look less
noticeable on the second day or so when you have slept on your dreads.

Bands. To secure your dread and braid, the most commonly used products are small elastic bands.
Bands that are plastic not rubber will be no use here since they tend to snap with wear and then
your dread will fall out. Thick but small rubber bands are needed- the strongest bands are
orthodontia bands or those used on show horses, you can also get strong bands from afro-Caribbean
hair extension shops and specialists.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Taking out your install

Taking your dreads out after wearing them is just as important as the install, and can often take as
long, here are some tips.

 If you have someone to help, it is best to get them to snip the bands with small scissors for
you, then you can make sure that you won’t be snipping through your hair, it also takes
much less time since they will be able to see the bands where as you may not.
 You can, of course, un loop your bands if you want to save and re-use them, but they tend to
loose elasticity and this will be time consuming.
 If your band is matted in your hair, take your time to ease it out carefully, don’t just pull!
 When your bands are taken out, unplait the braid and take out the dread and lay it aside,
you will end up with very crimped hair.
 Take a wide toothed comb (not a brush as this will damage the hair) and carefully and slowly
tease out the hair, you will likely encounter some knots, take your time.
 You will lose A LOT of hair, do not panic! The hair that comes out in your comb and hands is
an accumulation of what you would have lost naturally. You lose about 100 hairs a day,
when braided, your hair cannot just fall out, it stays in the braid, so you comb it out
afterwards instead.
 After you’ve combed out, jump in the shower, give your hair a good shampooing, focussing
on the roots and then condition well, deep condition if you can.

How dreadlocks are made.

As I have said, dreads are usually made from KK or roving. I will briefly explain how each is made.
However I will not go into great detail since the best way to learn will never be from words, there
could be too many miscommunications and misunderstandings to realise what I mean. If you want
to learn to make dreadlocks I suggest going to youtube and watching videos, the best way to learn is
from example.

KK DREADLOCKS To make a basic dreadlock from kanekalon, you must first split the hair. KK comes
doubled over in packets, you will need between 7 and 9 packets of KK for a full head of dreads, KK
retails from about £2.60 a packet, but can easily be more or less depending on where you live and
your supplier.

Take the KK from the pack, and hang it over something, make sure that its not tangled or will slide
off. Section your hair, depending on the size you want you dreads, more or less hair will be needed.
Usually for an average size dread, you will need to split your pack into between 6 and 8 sections. For
single ended dreads this number is doubled. Of course you will need to cut the hair if you want
shorter dreadlocks.

For Double ended dreads-

Take a section of the KK carefully, and pin one half of it down somehow, bull dog clips are useful for
this. You will then need to use a fine tooth comb to backcomb the loose section of hair, with your
hand holding the section beneath, backcomb from the top down, every now and then pulling the
hair apart and combing over again, smooth down with your hand as you go to ensure a no loops or

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

bumps. Make sure you backcomb enough that the hair can stand up on its own, and not flop over, if
you hold it upright. Your hair should now taper from a wide section to very thin at the bottom.
Repeat for the other side clipping down the section you have combed.

For single ended dreads-

You will need something to make a loop around, usually a coathanger is used. Take your section of
hair and loop around the coathanger hook, so as you have even lengths of hair either side, pull
taught and backcomb as described before. Make sure the hair is really well backcombed right up to
the hook, when done, slip it off the hook and you should have a loop- this is your single ended
dread. With these, it may be easier to seal as you go, that way you wont have to try and push the
loop back onto the hanger later.

Sealing KK.

KK seals when heat and water are applied since it shrinks the fibres and forces it to hold its shape.
Usually steam is used, but boiling water can also be used if one is careful.

There are quite a few ways to seal your dread lock with steam. For your basic dread, you must twist
the dreadlock tightly starting at the top and smoothing with your thumbs as you progress, keeping
the twist tight- this should form the backcombed hair into a smooth dread shape. Holding the twist
in place somehow (every one has a slightly different way, I prefer forceps) you then must steam your
dread.

The main methods of sealing are as follows-

 Steam cleaners- the types you use for carpets and walls, they create high-powered jets of
very hot steam. They cost anywhere between £25 and £200 depending on the quality and
wattage. You need at least 1500 watts for the steam to be hot enough to seal. Use the
upholstery attachment (a flat head with a fabric cover) to run over the twisted dreadlock
until sealed (so as it won’t untwist). This is the method preferred by most sellers.
 Steam Irons- Use a wet cloth and a steam iron to create steam. Keeping the dread twisted,
place a damp cloth (not soaking) over the dread, then carefully iron onto that- do not press
to hard as your dread will be flattened. The result should be hissing and steam, both from
the iron and the heat on the damp cloth, make sure to keep the iron moving, iron until the
dread is completely sealed. You will also need a doubled up towel under your dread or an
ironing board.
 Flat Irons/Hair straighteners- This is a similar method to the iron, only using your hair
straighteners. Take a damp cloth or flannel and wrap it around the dreadlock, then holding
the dread in the air (or suspending it) run your irons over the flannel twisting downwards
with your wrist as you go. You must be very careful mixing your household appliance and
water, so nothing soaking! Many people use this as a way to seal the ends of their dreads, or
to achieve very smooth dreads.
 Boiling water. This method simply uses boiling water, usually in a pan or poured from a
kettle over the dread. You must be careful when keeping the twist in the dread not to burn
yourself when passing the lock through the water- you will also have to hang your dreadlock
to dry afterwards.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

  Tea-kettle. Some dread makers use tea kettles to create steam. Tea kettles are metal kettles
which you boil on the hob of your cooker- they have a spout which creates a concentrated
jet of steam through which you can pass your dread to seal it, again, one must be careful of
their fingers using this method.

For more information on sealing, I highly suggest youtube videos. It is easier to learn from seeing
than reading, and for that reason I have not gone into great detail here.

Sealing the ends of your dreads

Sealing the ends of your dreads can be tricky, but all it takes is practice and a little knowhow. Some
use braid sealers, which do the job for you, but these can be pricey.

You need to twist your ends off right to the tip then hold it in place to seal, I find that the best way is
with a pair of forceps since you can click them and then have both hands to keep working. Another
way is to use something that won’t melt and press onto the very end, then with your free hand, seal
the rest. As I have mentioned before, some find it easier to use their flat iron. Whichever way, don’t
panic if it’s not perfect, you will usually need to take some scissors and snip the ratty end off
anyway.

Some people use a lighter to seal the ends, but this is generally only for emergency situations, if you
are out and one is unravelling. Using a lighter melts the fibres together, but it tends to create a blob
of black plastic and smells, so if you can use another method, do.

Roving

Roving is unspun wool that you create dreads from, it is also known as Merino. The dreads are
known as roving. You can buy roving pre-dyed or un-dyed and dye your own colours using specific
dyes. Dreads are created from roving by felting. Roving wool is sold in grams and you will need
around 500g for an average full heads worth of dreads.

There are a couple of ways of making roving dreads.

The hand method is to taking roving wool and tearing it into your required lengths. Don’t cut the
wool since you will have a blunt rather than tapered end. Once you have the required length, split
the wool into your desired thickness. Using a bowl of hot water mixed with soap, place your wool in
the bowl and allow it to soak up the water for a couple of minutes. Carefully taking the wool out,
place it onto a towel and use your palms to rolls the wool into a dreadlock/sausage shape and allow
to dry.

Machine felting. To use a washing machine to felt your roving, section your wool as before by
tearing to length, then splitting to correct thickness. Palm roll the wool into a smooth dread shape,
repeat for all dreads. Put all of the rolled dreads into a pillow case and secure with bands or knot,
then pop into the washing machine and wash on wool or delicate. Take out and allow to dry, before
repeating the process.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

There are many ways to create differences in your roving, be this through dying, dip dying, tie-dying,
plaiting or twisting to create texture, needle felting to create patterns. The best way is to both
experiment and research felting.

Roving vs KK dreads

Everyone has their own favourite type of dread to wear and there are pros and cons to all, but I will
focus here on the difference between roving and KK. KK is obviously a little more versatile in the fact
that you can create perfect curls (roving can also be curled, but not to the same effect) and often
looks more like real hair, however roving can be dyed to any colour and in any way that one may
wish, and felting creates new styles that can be explored.

Roving tends to be cheaper than KK since the materials to make roving are cheaper and they
generally take a seller less time to make.

Roving is more comfortable to wear than KK since it is soft and light, some find KK heavy and itchy.

Roving is a lot warmer to wear than KK, so in the summer, this must be taken into consideration.

KK can be used to create very natural looking dreadlocks and extend existing dreadlocks where-as
roving has a very particular look.

Depending on how the KK dread is made it can be very difficult to put into a pony/tie up, where as
roving is always soft and pliable.

Dread stations and tool kits

A KK dread station is where you make your dreadlock, everyone’s is slightly different but you will
need the following at yours.

 Somewhere to secure your dreadlock from, many use chairs (with slats or poles you can loop
around) some have specifically installed metal poles or hooks.
 Something to secure your dread with, for example pegs or bull dog clips- depending on
where you are trying to secure the dread from will depend on what you need to secure it,
experiment until you find something that works for you. Many work on the floor and just use
their hands and feet to secure the dread.
 Something to hang you KK from whilst it is sections, and bands to keep it sectioned. I use a
coat hanger, then put a band lightly around each section to keep them separated.
 Something to seal with, if it’s an iron, you will need a towel on your station or an ironing
board so as not to burn any surfaces.
 A comb- most use cheap plastic combs with the fine teeth on one end and larger on the
other, you can alternate to create tight backcombing, and they are easy to replace when the
teeth break. Some swear by nit combs, though I find them too thin- others love to use a wire
pet brush.
 A pair of scissors for nipping off your ends and cutting hair to any length.
 A pair of forceps (optional, depending on how you seal ends)

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

  Water for your steaming method. Often handy to have an extra bowl of water to top up with
or re-dampen any cloth you may be using. Note- steamers suggest using distilled water to
prevent lime scale build-up which can clog your steamer, this is however, very expensive.

Resealing your dreads.

Note! NEVER ATTEMPT THIS WHILST YOUR DREADS ARE INSTALLED ON YOUR HEAD!

Over time, dreads can become loose and unravel a little from wear and tare. You can re-seal in the
exact same ways that you seal in the first place, but instead of twisting from backcombed hair, you
just twist the untwisted sections back into place. Use your usual steaming method to twist and
steam. There generally is not a limit to how many times you can re-seal your dreads and the better
you get at making them, the less you should have to re-seal subsequently.

The same goes for curling your dreads. If the curl has dropped simply re-curl them using whatever
method you usually use (be this hot water and a broom handle and foil, or curlers and a veg steamer
or steam cleaner).

Styling your dreads.

Once your dreads are installed, you can go about learning how you like to wear them. Many people
simply wear them down on a day to day basis, but like all hair, you will want options of different
styles!
The great thing about dreads is they are very easy to style and play around with, no hair bands
needed! Of course you can put them into ponytails and bunches using bands- rather, it is better to
use a piece of elastic to do this which you tie around the dread, rather than attempting to use a
normal hair band as it will be difficult to double the band up and pull the dreads through as they are
usually too big.

The easiest way to tie back your dreads is to get knotting. Take some dreads from either side of the
head and tie in a loose knot behind your head, then repeat using three or four dreads at a time until
all of your dreads are knotted at the back of your head. The style will stay firmer if you tie the
bottom sections of hair around the top of your head and vice versa, this should create one bun-like
knot!

You can also twist dreads, split the dreads in half and twisting each half, swirl into a bun and secure
with a loose dread, this will be like an invisible hair band! This is a neater look.

It is difficult to explain how to style dreads, again, the best way to learn is through watching others
and just experimenting yourself- every set of dreads is different and styles will vary depending on
the length and thickness of the dreads. Some makers create very stiff dreads that are difficult to
style or tie back and this must be taken into consideration before buying. If you do find your dreads
a little too stiff, you can throw them into the washing machine to soften them up- see the section on
washing to learn how to do this correctly.

Washing your dreadlocks

Washing your dreadlocks is often something worry about when deciding whether or not to wear
synth or roving.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

 I will dispel a myth here and now. You most defiantly CAN wash your hair whilst wearing synth if you
so wish.

To wash your hair whilst wearing synth the best way is to dilute some shampoo (natural is better) in
some water which can be poured carefully over the scalp. Be careful to hold your dreadlocks out of
the way as much as possible to avoid soaking them. Use a shower to rinse your scalp afterwards. You
can use your fingertips to massage in the shampoo if you so wish but do not rub hard, this will force
shampoo into the dreads and ultimately create more dirt since it will not wash out of the fibres and
cause build up.

There is no need to wash the dreadlocks themselves, though you can spritz with fabreeze if you feel
they are beginning to smell- the main smell that will lock into your dreads is smoke from cigarettes
or BBQ’s.

Many dread wearers choose not to wash their hair whilst wearing synth because it can be very
heavy whilst wet, this will pull on your scalp. If you do get wet dreads, wring them out as much as
you can, before placing a towel on your shoulders to stop your top soaking and allow them to dry
naturally.

The hair that is plaited into your dreads actually stays relatively clean since it is not exposed to dirt
and the atmosphere and you will not be putting products into your hair that will cause build up.
Most people take out their dreads every three weeks or so to wash their natural hair and put their
locks through the wash (if they need it). This is also a time to reseal if needed, and sort out any
‘fuzzies’.

To wash your dreads, put them together so they are even by draping over something if they are DE’s
and making sure you have the folds all together, or simply making sure they are together and even if
SE’s. Take your dreads and put them in a clean pillowcase, wrap the case around the dreads then
over the dreads and case, secure with elastic or a hairband. The whole thing can then be put into a
washing machine on a low heat with a small amount of powder, liquid or a tab (if using a tab it is an
idea to put some towels or something else soft with them).

Don’t simply fling them in the wash in a bundle as they will start to dread together in the wash. The
reason for the pillow case is to stop them tangling in the machine and either damaging your machine
or becoming very fuzzy. When they come out it is likely you may have to pull them apart a little if
they have matted. Hang them to dry on a coat hanger inside with a bucket or newspaper underneath
to catch the drips.

Sleeping

Sleeping on dreads can be a daunting thing for some people, but it’s both an easy and useful thing to
do once you get used to it! If you have trouble sleeping, then it may be best to start with a set of
roving as they are softer, like an extra pillow. Most people get used to sleeping on their dreads after
two nights.

The first night you wear your dreads, your scalp may feel tender to push on the dreads, to maximise
comfort its handy to have a very soft pillow.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Sleeping on your dreads will help them settle, both allowing your scalp to be used to the movement
and tugging of the dreads, and letting them sit better on the head- so any that stuck out in the
wrong way, should settle in and lie flatter.

After a couple of sets of dreads, you will find it much easier to settle into sleeping on them, and it
will feel normal.

Depending on the size of your dread set, some find it easier to tie them back to sleep with as they
will not be in the way, but if you have lots of dreads or thick dreads, then it may be uncomfortable to
sleep on them tied back, especially if you sleep on your back as they will be in the way.

Common problems that come with dreads and dread making.

There are quite a few common issues that can arise from dread making these can range from pure
vanity to health issues, but all are worth taking into consideration, where I can I will offer solutions.

Dreads and your health

Dreadlocks are difficult to wear at times and making them can also be a wearing process if you do it
on a regular basis. There are some problems that are serious and others that are only seem as such, I
will try and dispel some anxieties here.

 It is common for dreads to hurt for the first three days, and for you to have bouts of
itchiness throughout wearing them. This is the nature of braided hair- the better you
section your hair to begin with, the less likely hair is to tug from places it shouldn’t.
 Many people experience small red spots and bumps, often around the hair line, when
wearing dreads, these are simply caused by strands of hair being constantly pulled in the
wrong direction- they are nothing to worry about. They may hurt and itch a little, keep an
eye on them, if nothing more occurs then do not panic.
 It is known that some may experience headaches from wearing dreadlocks, if this becomes
constant or severe take your dreads out and allow your scalp to rest a little.
 If it is very hot, and you are finding yourself over heating from wearing dreads, tie them up
as high as you comfortably can, this should help you cool down- if you are still finding them
too warm, take them out! There is no point risking making yourself ill for hair.
 When installing dreads, make sure you take time to let your arms rest!
 Making dreads is a process that, depending on your dread station, can be very hard work
for your back, as you are often bent over to backcomb. Make sure to stretch, take breaks,
and take care of your back as much as possible.
 As above, wrist and lower arm pains are becoming common issues with dread sellers, the
same backcombing and twisting motions are something the body is not used to. If you feel
pain whilst working on your dreads, stop for a moment. There is little that one can do to
combat the long wear and tear of joints and muscles unfortunately, but if you’re hurting,
stopping for a while is the best short term solution.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Dreadlock issues and problems.

Lots of people have the same problems when it comes to some dreads, here are a few and how to
deal with them.

 Dreads can pick up the smell of smoke pretty easily, get your hands on some fabreeze, it
comes in lots of nice scents now too.
 Lots of people suffer from what are known as ‘fuzzies’ on their dreads, this is when small
short hairs on the dread stick out and make the dread look fuzzy. You can chop these off if
they are very bad or long, but the best thing to do is to give them a reseal when you can,
many swear by the straightener method to eliminate fuzzies.
 On a similar note, when installing, people sometimes get ‘pokies’ this is when your natural
hair in the braid begins to come out of the braid and stick up. On the ends of the braid,
simply put another band on to keep them down, if it is half way up somewhere it might be
an idea to re-braid, if it is really annoying you. Sectioning to suit your layers can help with
this greatly.
 If your dreads begin to get Velcro like and stick to one another the likelihood is they need to
be re-sealed. This can happen a lot with natural style dreads, but there is little you can do
about this since it is the small hairs that cause the Velcro effect, and if your dreads are
smoothed out, they will no longer look so natural.
 Make sure when buying KK that it says Jumbo Braid and 100% kanekalon on it.
 When making KK dreads you will find that there are some colours that do not seal well or do
not back comb well. Sometimes this will be fixed by working on your technique other times
it is simply the quality of the hair in the colour. This is not something that can really be fixed,
it just needs to be worked through.

Where to buy dreads and dread making materials, and how much you can expect to pay.

Dreads are one of those things that can vary a great deal in price. You will find that since dreads are
hand made products that the price range can very from seller to seller. A seller themselves can
become an effective brand name, but there is no brand-name dreads to set an average price. You
can buy machine made dreads named Elysee Stars, and you can expect to pay £6 for 10 de’s as a
standard rate. Elysee stars will be covered in the FAQ section.

Materials.

Dread making materials can vary in price greatly depending on what country you live in. I know for
example that Australia has a very high price for KK. However, here is what you can expect to pay on
average in the UK and US.

A pack of KK Jumbo braid- £2.60 or $2.75. You can see that KK is much cheaper in the US, and many
in the UK prefer to order from the US and pay the extra postage as it works out about the same, but
you can usually find better quality and different colours of KK. You will need between 7 and 10 bags
of jumbo braid for the average full head of dreads.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Roving wool/merino is sold in grams, you will need around 500g for an average full head of dreads.
Wool comes in at around £5.00 per 100 grams in the UK and between $4 and $6 in the USA.

Other things you can buy are silky hair, which is smooth rather than the crinkly KK which tends to
come in a little more expensive per pack. This is useful for braiding and very very smooth dreads, but
is difficult to backcomb. You can also buy things like colinette wool which is spun to create texture,
this comes in at about £6 a skein and can be used to braid into the hair. You’ll need around eight
skeins for a head.

Elastic bands/horse bands/orthodontia bands go for about £2/$3.00 a pack depending on where you
buy them. Try pet supplies, ebay and specific dread makers/dread supplies shops online.

Buying Dreads.

Synthetic dreadlocks are usually custom made. This means that you contact a seller (they will usually
have a price list on their website) and ask them for exactly what you want, length,count, size, colour
and depending on the maker, style. Many dread makers specialise in a particular style, so it is useful
to shop around for what you want rather than settle on one seller if you want to explore different
dread styles and kits.

It is also possible to buy pre-made dread kits. These tend to be a little cheaper, but the colour style
length and count are already chosen for you.

Since every seller is different, it is difficult to give an average price. Most sellers tend to charge for
materials plus a rate for the time it takes them to make it, just like any business. Sellers that are just
starting out and building up a portfolio are likely to charge less than very dedicated and established
sellers who have a very good dread making reputation- this is so that they have the chance to build
their portfolio and customer gallery before charging more.

For an average custom set of KK, medium length, 50 count DE/100 SE you are looking at paying
between £55 and £140 depending on who you buy from, how thick the dreads are and so on. Often
the style plays the biggest factor in price differences, things like curlies, blends and swirls cost more
and things like natural palm rolled cost a little less, this is due to the time put into making them.

For your average custom set of roving, 50 count DE it is likely you will pay between £30 and £50

Where to buy and safe buying and selling.

Synth dreads are almost entirely available online, this is only because of the nature of custom
dreads. There are sellers that go to festivals, fetish fairs and other conventions and have stalls in
places like Camden Market (specifically the electric ballroom I believe) but these are not always
accessible to the unassuming buyer, and it is likely you will have to go online to find out where they
will be. Some salon’s offer dreads now, but again, they are often few and far between and can also
end up charging you an awful lot of money if you are not careful.

I would argue that the best place to find dread sellers is through the Hair Extensions Forum and their
sellers list (see “links”) though more and more sellers are using facebook, etsy and ebay to sell their
wares.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

 I would suggest that if you find a seller you are not sure of that you request to see more examples of
their work than is listed, this is a simple precaution since some sellers are fraud’s and use a range of
other people images to try and scam you out of money. Be careful to look for watermarks, if a seller
has images that are watermarked with names other than their own, it is wise to question why that
is.

When buying custom dreadlocks, make sure that you let the seller know exactly what you want. If
there is indiscretion then you may end up with something you did not want due to
miscommunication, on the other hand, you are entitled to ask to see a couple of dreads done before
the whole set is complete, just to check in on how things are going.

You will be asked, unlike other online products, to pay upfront, this is because sellers usually use the
money you pay them to buy the materials to make your specific dreadlocks so do not be alarmed.
Sellers also need assurance that a buyer will not back out without paying and the seller be left with a
dread-set they then have to try and sell on.

You should note that dread turnaround times for custom sets tend to be 3 weeks or more, the seller
will let you know how long this is. You should not expect to get your dreads straight after you pay for
them because they have to be made, this includes the time it takes waiting for the materials to
arrive. Many sellers offer a rush service for a little more money if you need dreads quickly.

If your seller has taken longer than the agreed turnaround time and has not contacted to you let you
know why this is the case- try and contact them asap, if you get no reply, it may be time to take
further action.

If you do not pay with paypal, make sure you receive some form of receipt.

FAQ

 Are dreadlocks dirty? No, they are not. You can wash your scalp carefully with water and
diluted shampoo if you like, but your hair is mostly protected from dirt in the braid. Not even
natural dreadlocks are dirty! They are created by backcombing and palm rolling not by a lack
of soap and water.
 Are dreadlocks heavy? Sometimes, depending on the style you choose and how you wear
them up, but you can get used to it pretty quickly. If you want something lighter choose a
shorter thinner set of KK or choose roving dreads.
 Do they itch? Yes sometimes! In the same way having your hair in little braids itches
sometimes, it’s the hair being pulled in directions it is not used to. Its fine to itch though!
Sometimes a rattail comb can help itch hard to reach places. If its really itchy you could
dilute some tea tree oil in water and spray onto your scalp.
 How long did that take you!? I get this question a lot from strangers, whether they realise
its real or not. It takes between 1.5 and 7 hours to put in a full head of dreads. Falls take
about ten minutes.
 Why pay for custom or handmade dreads when machine made dreads like Elysee are so
much cheaper? Elysee stars are made with glue, so you cannot wash them or re-seal them,
they also only come in one length and style which you cannot alter as they will unravel.
Elysee are fine for first time wearers if you want to get used to the dreads, or only wear

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

 them for a couple of days, but don’t do well with long or repeated wear- they also tend to be
a little shiny. They are cheaper however, so if you are not sure about dreads, it could be
worth a try.
 Can I just have one or two dreads, rather than a full head? Yes, many people have accent
dreads (just one or two) or half installs, in which you leave hair loose around the dreads, you
have to simply be careful when brushing your loose hair to get the dreads out of the way.
 How long does my hair have to be before I can install dreads? To plait in an install then hair
should be three inches, however doctoredlocks have a great tutorial to install dreads in
super short hair using a couple of elastic bands, for this you need no more than an inch. This
can be found at the following address-

http://www.doctoredlocks.com/catalog/Super-Short.html

 What does DE and SE mean? De’s are double ended dreads, they are twice the length that
the dreadlock should be and tapered at each end, you install them by plaiting on the fold in
the middle of the dread, one side is unbraided. Se’s are single ended, they have a loop at the
top through which you pull your hair to secure it before braiding down the dread.
 I don’t know which colour KK or dye will match my hair, what should I do? Most sellers will
do their best to help you match the colour. They will know their dye and KK colours well, so
if you send them a recent image of your hair, then they should be able to help you work out
which colour will match best for you- if one is not available, some sellers will blend a colour
for you specifically.
 How long do curly dreads stay curly? Curled dreads stay curled once they have been
steamed to set the curl- this is the only way you can curl them! The curl may drop from
being very bouncy to a little loose over time, but this may not be very noticeable, and it is
very easy to resteam curls.
 Can I use heated styling tools and hair products on my dreads? No! You must not use heat
directly on your dreads, they are made of a plastic substance and will melt, this will ruin your
dread and your styling tools! You should avoid all hair products on your dreads also, they will
only serve to make them dirty and unpleasant.
 What is the difference between KK and Roving? Kanekalon is a plastic based synthetic hair
fibre that is backcombed and sealed to look like dreadlocks. Roving or merino is wool that is
felted to create dreadlock shapes.
 How long can I wear my dreads? Dreads can be worn for up to three months before
changing, although it is generally recommended that after a month you take out your dreads
to wash and detangle your hair to stop the growing roots from dreading naturally
themselves.
 How long does it take to make a set of KK dreads for myself? A practiced dread seller can
whip up a full set in a day if they need to, but it is hard work. Most people starting out take
around 15 minutes to backcomb a dreadlock well, and tend to spread the work of making
the locks out over a week to three weeks.
 Do the dreads have to match my hair colour? No! You can have your hair any colour you
like and install dreads of any colour. Most dread wearers prefer their colour to match as it
makes the dreads seem more realistic as it helps camouflage the braid.

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

  Do dreads hurt/harm/mess up your hair? No! Not at all, actually dreads can offer a respite
to some girls since whilst wearing them you are not dying, bleaching, heat treating or adding
any product to your hair, it is simply braided in. They do not, and cannot harm your hair in
anyway. The worst thing that will happen is you may be a little greasy afterwards, but after
one wash and a deep condition you will be fine! I always recommend a deep conditioning,
just because it’s a nice thing to do for your locks!

Links list.

Now I must stress I cannot link every dread seller, instead I will link a couple of great sites for
supplies and tutorials, and I will link you to the sellers list on the Hair Extensions Forum, which as a
site itself is link number one here. It is a resource for all sellers and wearers and a great
community.

http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/ A community of people all whom love dreads, there are

many tutorials, sellers, and lots of lovely people to answer any questions you may have.

http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=720 This is a link list to sellers and

supplies, with a description of what they do and where they are based underneath, its very
valuable though not everyone is on here and it cannot always promise to be up to date, it is a
good start.

http://www.hairextensionsforum.com/viewforum.php?f=27&sid=85047c9042fb45a4b28936e040
1a37fc This is a list of individual galleries for hair sellers, many of them have links to their shops in
their signatures, or profile. If this fails, you can contact a seller by joining HEF and PMing the seller
directly, though it should be mentioned that once you have joined, you cannot sell or trade until
you have at least 60 posts under your belt.

http://www.doctoredlocks.com A great hair website for dreads and other extensions as well as
some supplies and many very useful video tutorials.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DagGirl The queen of dreadlock tutorials Dag Girl/ RivetLicker,

she is a very friendly and well known member of the dread community and her youtube
tutorials are invaluable to new dread makers.

http://www.beeunique.co.uk This link is more aimed towards dye and bleaching, but is very
useful all the same.

http://www.ikickshins.net/ A great place to buy your KK and dreads alike. Many accessories and a
wonderful woman to deal with. USA based. Probably the best colour chart around.

http://www.buyhair.co.uk/ UK based jumbo braid stockist. Many colours available.

http://www.diversityhair.co.uk/shop/index.php another UK stockist of KK

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FORESTFIBRES UK Merino stockist

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com

Synth dread fact sheet, mkatsi 2011. Http://allaboutthedo.tumblr.com