I get a lot of questions regarding how long my products will last, or how long the dye will last, or if they will shed, etc. I realize that most people want short precise answers, but I won't lie. While my locs are very well made, no hair extensions, regardless of who made them, what they are made from (wool, human hair, synthetic hair, yarn, etc.), or the style in which they are made (smooth, crochet, wavy, curly, etc.), will last forever. Honestly, if you want your extensions to last as long as possible then you have to take care of them. However, if you are just looking for the short answers, here they are:
1. No, extensions do not last forever.
2. Yes, they will shed - ALL fur, wool, hair, and fibers shed.
3. All dye will fade (eventually)
4. Extensions can be washed
How long can I wear these/ How long do these last?
I honestly cannot answer this question... Dreads do not have an expiration date. A well-made set of dreads can last a few hours or a few years. It all depends on how they are taken care of and installed. I can tell clients that installed dreads can only be left in for a maximum of 4-8 weeks. This is because your hair grows, so the dreads need to be taken out and reinstalled for a proper fit.
I offer no warranties on my products because I cannot control what happens to my items after I ship them out. I sell through Paypal, and I pay them quite a bit in fees, so that the items (should be) covered by their protection programs if they are damaged or lost in shipment. However, anything beyond that is completely out of my control.
In all of my listings I suggest the following basic cleaning guidelines:
"Wool dreadlocks can be washed. I recommend hand-washing in cool water with mild soap and hanging to dry. However, if you decide to machine wash these, the best method is "delicate" (cool) water for washing, and the lowest possible heat setting. (For machine washing/drying, use a garment bag or pillow case.) Please note that using a washing machine and or dryer can cause shrinking,
loss of length, change in texture, over-felting (hardening), excessive color loss/color bleeding, staining of other items, or other damage to the dreads. Although the dye has been heat set, and the dreads have been pre-washed, exercise caution if washing with other items."
loss of length, change in texture, over-felting (hardening), excessive color loss/color bleeding, staining of other items, or other damage to the dreads. Although the dye has been heat set, and the dreads have been pre-washed, exercise caution if washing with other items."
-Hand washing is the safest way to wash wool dreads.
-Wash in cooler water. Most acid dyes are only tested to be color safe up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit !
-(For more specific information on dyes and dying, I will be writing a separate entry.)
-Washing machines vary by manufacturer and model, so there is no way for me to know whether your washing machine is gentle enough, or if it agitates strongly enough to felt your entire set into one giant matted ball.
-Washing dreads while they are installed is generally safe, BUT it depends upon the temperature of the water, the shampoo being used, how aggressively the person "scrubs" their hair, and how safely the dreads are handled until they are dry. Anything made of keratin (hair, fur, nails, wool, horns, etc.) is going to be more fragile when wet. So, as long as you handle your wet dreads carefully, you should be fine. Also, prepare for the dreads to be really really heavy when wet, and make sure that they dry completely to avoid mold and mildew.
Here is a great video for washing dreads:
This video is by Tina Tiainen. There is only one thing that you shouldn't do when washing - the pulling. When Tina dries out her dreads after washing, she pulls on them and runs the towel down them - do not pull on curly wool. This method is ideal for straight dreads, but not so great for the curly kind that I make because it can straighten out the wool. Instead, scrunch the locs and crumple them up to ring the water out.
How often should I wash my dreads/hair?
This is one of those questions that gets asked in many forums, and it always incites arguments. I know better than to get dragged into it. I usually wash my hair every day, but I'm not going to demand or suggest that complete strangers adhere to the same hair washing schedule as me. Honestly, this is a personal decision that every person has to make for themselves.
What should I wash these with?
If you can find a product that is specifically formulated for washing wool, make sure that it is alright to be used straight on your head if you plan to wash your dreads while they are installed. Certain chemicals and hair products such as those containing bleach or peroxide, color removing shampoos, products with a large amount of alcohol (perfume, cleaning products, liquor), certain essential oils, etc. can cause colors to bleed or rapidly lighten. I have no idea what is in your shampoo or laundry soap. My suggestion - read the labels of the products you are using, and if they sound safe, then pick a dread to "sacrifice" and test it out. If all seems well, then awesome! If not, the following products are good to try:
1. My favorite wool wash is The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo. It has a lovely mild scent. I use it when hand washing my personal sets in the sink, with cool water. It leaves them clean and nice smelling, without stripping color.
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| I found this stuff on Amazon, for under $20 |
2. The second product I personally recommend has the best name ever - "Dirty Rotten Bastard"... It is made by Namaste Farms, AND it is formulated to be cosmetic grade and safe to use on human hair. It is eco-friendly, not tested on animals, and most of the product line is fragrance free. If you are planning to use this on your hair and wool dreads, I suggest diluting it with quite a bit of water as it is meant for scouring heavy oils and dirt from raw fleeces.
3. When in doubt, if you are fortunate enough to still have a grandmother, call her. Grandmas usually know everything. My grandmothers passed away many years ago. However, I was able to find this laundry cheat sheet, with care instructions for all sorts of fibers:
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| I found this useful chart here: http://www.scarves.com/blog/ultimate-fabric-care-cheat-sheet |
4. The following products are heavily recommended by various people in the dread community:
-Baking Soda & Vinegar - Many people claim that this is the BEST way to remove buildup from the scalp. I'm not fond of using baking soda in my hair or on my woolies, but I do rinse both my hair and wool dreads with vinegar to restore a proper PH level.
-Dr. Bronners - Castille Liquid Soaps - this is a 50/50 split - some swear it is the best shampoo ever, while the other half swear it leaves residue and is bad for human hair and wool dreads.
-Mane 'N Tail Shampoo - this one is usually considered alright, if you can't find anything else better in your area
-Avalon Organics - I've never used this brand on my wool dreads, but I did use it on my hair years ago, and it smelled wonderful
-Vital Goods - If you love to shop on Etsy, this looks like a lovely little store
General Maintenance/Care Based Upon Install Method
Your dreads got snagged or torn or they are just loosing their shape or fraying. Don't worry, mistakes happen, materials wear over time, but don't toss those woolies in the garbage just yet! While some damage can't be remedied, most of these issues can be fixed.
Yes, wool dreads are felted wool, but that does not mean that they will retain their shape forever regardless of what is done to them. In addition to not washing them in scalding hot water, tossing them in the wrong cycle of the washing machine, or treating them with harsh chemicals (do NOT use boxed hair dye on wool dreads), you still have to do maintenance on these. How much depends upon how long you wear them, how careful you are with them, and how they are installed.
For some reason, a lot of people think that they don't need to be as careful with dread extensions as they do with other kinds of extensions. While dread extensions are a bit more resilient than other types of extensions, they are not indestructible. If you take a new set of wool dreads and hang them on the wall, aside from some dust, they will look pretty much the same a year later. Permanently installed dreads will tend to get more wear than temporarily installed dreads. For those looking to keep their dreads in as-close-to perfect condition as possible, putting the dreads on ribbons or elastics to wear as temporary "dreadfalls" may be preferable. For those that attach dread extensions permanently to their natural dreads or braid/tie to install, wrapping the dreads in a smooth silk or satin scarf to wear to sleep, may helps prevent damage caused by friction.
While all hair, fur, and wool will shed. Certain types tend to shed more or more visibly than others. Wool with a long staple will be more noticeable. Even the best felted dreads will loose a few fibers here and there. It is nothing that a lint roller can't fix.
If they are shedding excessively, they may need some maintenance. Palm rolling is generally the safest and easiest repair method. For those with more skill, a small crochet hook (most recommend a 1mm or smaller size) and/or felting needle can be used to pull loose hairs back in place.
Dread Beads? Wraps?
Of course, you can decorate wool and synthetic dreads. However, certain products like stained wooden beads or metals that oxidize (like copper or sterling silver) may leave stains on your dreads, which may or may not wash out. Additionally, anything that can snag your dreads (wires, crystals, shells, rough/textured wood, etc.) can damage the fibers, resulting in the need for repairs. It is best to remove beads prior to washing/cleaning your dreads and best not to sleep with beads in. Also, for painted beads, soaking in water can remove the paint. Any bead that is left in for too long can get stuck, as the dreads mature. Removal can be tricky, and involve either cutting a dread off or breaking a glass or plastic bead to remove, or cutting a fiber or wire bead.
Cutting Dreads:
I do not advise people to cut or trim their fiber or synthetic dreads. However, if you choose to do so, be prepared to palm-roll the tips to help finish, taper, and remove loose fibers.
Videos
Styling Dreads:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0mL3biCT_FQpBk7fUFcBukjJ9eTbEl0
Installing Dreads:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0mL3biCT_F9EcLFHuH8y9PbbK7CMe3U
Links To My Work:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NVCL3ARBVTT3RFLY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nvcl3ar-Bvtt3rfly-265835876862232
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nvcl3arbvtt3rfly/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheyenneLeHale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cheyennelehale/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheyennelehale/
Dread Beads? Wraps?
Of course, you can decorate wool and synthetic dreads. However, certain products like stained wooden beads or metals that oxidize (like copper or sterling silver) may leave stains on your dreads, which may or may not wash out. Additionally, anything that can snag your dreads (wires, crystals, shells, rough/textured wood, etc.) can damage the fibers, resulting in the need for repairs. It is best to remove beads prior to washing/cleaning your dreads and best not to sleep with beads in. Also, for painted beads, soaking in water can remove the paint. Any bead that is left in for too long can get stuck, as the dreads mature. Removal can be tricky, and involve either cutting a dread off or breaking a glass or plastic bead to remove, or cutting a fiber or wire bead.
Cutting Dreads:
I do not advise people to cut or trim their fiber or synthetic dreads. However, if you choose to do so, be prepared to palm-roll the tips to help finish, taper, and remove loose fibers.
Videos
Styling Dreads:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0mL3biCT_FQpBk7fUFcBukjJ9eTbEl0
Installing Dreads:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0mL3biCT_F9EcLFHuH8y9PbbK7CMe3U
Links To My Work:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NVCL3ARBVTT3RFLY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nvcl3ar-Bvtt3rfly-265835876862232
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nvcl3arbvtt3rfly/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheyenneLeHale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cheyennelehale/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheyennelehale/
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