For those seeking a stylish change, dreadlock hair extensions can transform not only a person's tresses but the whole look of an individual. For understanding how to put in dreadlock hair extensions, the method of putting them on—to make sure they stay on, to make sure the look stays right, for quite some time and, ideally, for all time is something of a science as well as an art. Practitioners of the look who have used the extensions in the past and the hair fairies of the future all have a vested interest in what goes on and what stays on.
Prepping the Natural Hair for Installation
Before embarking on the actual installation of the extension, your natural hair must be washed thoroughly with a residue-free shampoo. The aim is to ensure that all remnants of oils, dirt, and styling products are completely washed away. The cleaner your hair, the better the extension will hold.
Avoid conditioning your hair before installation. The issue with soft, conditioned hair is that it doesn't hold the extension as securely as it should to prevent slippage. Once your hair is clean and completely dry, the next step is to section your hair into small, equal parts. Use clips or bands to hold the sections. The size of each section should correspond to the thickness of the dreadlock extension you intend to attach.
Choosing the Right Type of Dreadlock Extensions
The selection of human hair versus synthetic hair extensions should be based on your lifestyle, budget, and maintenance commitment. Not that not all synthetic, not even all high-end synthetic extensions, look and behave like real hair. Some extensions look downright plastic. Synthetic hair can't take heat, and if your straight extensions do look straight after using a flat iron, it’s because you used more heat than is safe for your natural hair.
That being said, some brands have made great strides since then, and some bumped up the realism factor by coloring the materials to mimic actual hair colors. Regardless of the brand or the price, when understanding how to put in dreadlock hair extensions or buying hair extensions, know that you’re a customer; if you buy it and it isn’t what you wanted, you can ask for a refund.
The Crochet Method for Easy Attachment
One of the most prevalent ways of putting in dreadlock hair extensions is the crochet method. It consists of prepping the natural hair and then using a needle to pull the strands of the extension through the base of the dreadlock, which creates an almost seamless transition from natural hair to extension.
The first part of this process is to prep the natural hair, which means that the crochet method works best with freshly twisted or braided hair. While the natural hair is in that state, the following process is then used. The crochet needle has a plastic tip and a metal hook.
The metal hook catches the strands of hair and pulls them through the base with a small motion of the needle, which allows the hairs to weave together almost magically. This method does not damage hair and allows for the installation of a semi-permanent set of extensions.
Blending and Sealing the Extensions
After you have installed all the dreadlock extensions, the next step is to check each one to ensure it blends in with your scalp and surrounding hair, which might require a little palm-rolling, trimming of uneven, too-long ends, or even wrapping wayward hairs using a latching tool.
Sealing the ends is key to preventing unraveling, particularly with synthetic extensions, and that can be done with a gentle application of heat (steamer or hot water) to bind the fibers securely. Human hair extensions can be sealed with wax or by simple backcombing and palm-rolling, depending on the style desired. In this step, you should be checking the overall appearance of the locs.
Now, do you know how to put in dreadlock hair extensions? Are there any bumps? Loose ends? Are they tight, but not too tight? Are the extensions even close to what could be considered the standard shape of a loc? If you can answer yes to all of those questions, you're all set!
Concluding Tips for Best Results
Achieving the best look with dreadlock extensions is more than technical skill: it’s about embracing maintenance, styling, and caring for the natural hair and the extensions. Always sleep with a satin or silk scarf to reduce friction and maintain neatness, and consider re-tightening or refreshing your roots every few weeks to extend the life of your locs.
Whether for reasons of fashion, cultural expression, or a personal makeover, the time spent learning how to put in dreadlock hair extensions is well rewarded by the look when it’s done with care and attention.
Recommendation
If you are looking for premium-quality products, specially made for the styling of dreadlocks, WIGGINSHAIR offers a variety of items you can use to put in dreadlock extensions. Their items are made from 100% human hair and are designed for ease of installation and long-term wear. When you're just starting with loc extensions or you're perfecting your present appearance, WIGGINSHAIR gives you reliable, expert options that look real and feel right.
