Synthetic Extensions are made from a synthetic fiber, not real hair. Synthetic fiber works great for these type of extensions because it tangles easily and essentially, that’s what this hairstyle is. Dreadlocks or locs are made from tangling, knotting, dreading, or locking hair. With synthetic extensions you can achieve a dreadlock look without damaging your natural hair.

Synthetic extensions are installed by braiding your hair onto the outside of the extension and secured with an elastic band (more info below). Your hair is not knotted or tangled at all.

There are many different ways to make Synthetic extensions. When I started wearing dreadlock extensions I purchased crochet dreads. I liked the way they looked but unfortunately, my sensitive scalp hated the crochet dreads.They were so itchy and my scalp was very irritated. I was discouraged because I really loved the look. So, I decided to start making my own. I developed my own methods and created dreadlocks that were comfortable, soft, flexible and not irritating.

I create dreadlock extensions with the knowledge that synthetic hair WANTS to tangle and knot. My dreadlocks are soft because I begin the dread, locking, knotting and tangling process and then allow the dreadlocks to continue dreading on their own as they are worn. This allows each of my extensions to lock in their own unique way while continuing to be soft and flexible.

The dreadlocks do change as you wear them. They do get a little more rough and a little frizzy. If you do not like frizz at all, with love, this hairstyle may not be for you. Your roots will frizz after a few weeks and the dreadlock extensions will also have some frizz to them. You can trim the shedding hair and frizz off of the extensions if you want to. I personally love when they look more natural and wild.

If you do want to make your dreadlock extensions brand new every time you wear them I teach how to do this in my online Academy (Link at the bottom of the page).

Synthetic Extensions are used to create many different hairstyles. You can install them as a full head, partials, decorative or accent pieces, however you want to use your creativity and individual expression!

There are so many benefits to synthetic extensions! It’s a simple hairstyle you can wear for weeks without worrying about “doing” or “messing up” your hair. You do not have to be careful or gentle with this hairstyle, in fact, the more “rough” you are with these extensions, the better! Once they are installed, live your life! Do ALL the things you love to do, go hiking, camping, boating, ride your motorcycle, swimming, sit on your porch and read for hours!

You’ll be amazed at how much time these extensions save you AND you’ll ALWAYS look fabulous!

PRO TIP:

(If you go on long motorcycle rides or you like to go to the sand dunes, etc… You can wrap your extensions in a hair scarf or silk cap to prevent road grime or sand getting into your extensions)

Can I wash These Extensions?

Ummm, YES! Please do!

There is a misconception that dreadlocks are dirty, that they are created by not taking care of your hair and the dirt and grime build up and create a dreadlock. Now, this may be true in some situations, but even if you are locking your own hair this doesn’t have to be true. It shouldn’t be true. Don’t be gross. You can absolutely wash these extensions when they are installed. I am going to share with you my personal daily maintenance and then I want you to think about your own lifestyle and come up with a daily maintenance plan that works for you!

I shower, EVERY DAY! While I’m in the shower, I take a little bit (a very small amount) of soap (or shampoo) in my hands and run the soap throughout my extensions. I DO NOT RINSE IT OUT. Adding a little bit of soap into my extensions helps them continue to knot, tangle or dread, PLUS they always smell fresh and amazing. I personally do not soak my whole head in the water and I do not scrub soap onto my whole head UNLESS I go swimming or I am camping and my hair smells like camp fire or gets really dusty or dirty, then yes, I do get my whole head wet and scrub with shampoo. But typically, I just run a little bit of soap throghout my extensions and I do not rinse it out. When I get out of the shower I use a towel and squeeze any water out of my extensions. Then, I use more product. I honestly use whatever I have on my counter whether it’s a mousse, hair oil, leave in conditioner, or even just hand lotion (remember, these extensions are not real hair so don’t stress about using good hair products on the extensions. However, please use decent hair product on YOUR HAIR and YOUR SCALP).

As I’m applying the product, I separate my dreadlocks. This helps them to not tangle with another dreadlock. Separating them with product helps the locking process happen faster AND it helps your hair to always smell good! Like I said, this hairstyle should not be gross.

How long can I keep these extensions in?

I leave my extensions in for four weeks. When I do remove them, I due my roots, trim my hair, and do a deep conditioner on my hair and scalp. These extensions do not damage your hair, but please take care of your hair in between installs. Your hair will thank you!

When I remove my extensions I have FOUR WEEKS worth of hair trapped in braids. So, keep in mind, that when you comb out and wash your hair, you’re going to see a lot of hair. This IS NOT your hair “Falling Out”. It is natural shedding that has been trapped for a month.

Can you leave the extensions in for longer than four weeks? Technically, yes. However, the longer you have them installed, the more hair you will be brushing out when you remove your extensions.

When I remove my extensions, I give them a good soak. I fill up my sink or tub with warm water (not hot) and soap. I let my extensions soak for 10 ish minutes and then hang them on a towel rack to dry until I’m ready to install them again.

Can I use heat on Synthetic Extensions?

Yes, you can use a hairdryer to remove excess water. Use Medium to Low heat. I highly suggest NOT putting these extensions into the clothes dryer. EVER. When they get wet, the water does run off very quickly. They dry on their own very fast. I only use a hairdryer if I have to leave in a hurry after I shower and in the Winter time. Otherwise, I just let them dry on their own.

How long do these extensions last? Can I wear them more than once?

These extensions last FOREVER! Which is pretty awesome because if you buy real hair extensions, they only last 6-8 months. I have A LOT of different sets of synthetic extensions and I wear them over and over again. They are meant to be worn and enjoyed Forever!

Are the extensions heavy?

These extensions are not heavy at all. However, when you go swimming and if you put your head completely under water, during your 30 second Hot girl walk out of the ocean, your hair will feel heavy. But you’ll look amazing, so it’s worth it, I promise.

Like I said before, the water runs off very quickly and these extensions do dry fast. But when they are completely full of water they are slightly heavy. This can also cause your braids to loosen. Thankfully, they are easy to tighten.

Can anyone wear synthetic extensions?

The short answer is, YES! These types of extensions work for any and all hair types. With that being said, It is important for you to assess the condition of your hair and scalp before installing these extensions. If you have a dry and flakey scalp now, these extensions will not fix that. If your hair is dry and brittle from over processing. It’s probably best to get your hair in a healthy condition before installing these extensions. Our hair, skin, and nails are a direct reflection of our health. Drink lots of water, eat nutritious foods and if your scalp is currently irritated or dry or flakey, look into a good scalp treatment/regime before installing these extensions.

How long does my hair have to be to install these extensions?

3 inches or longer is the suggested length to have a secure install.

Types of Synthetic Extensions

Single Ended (SE)

Single Ended synthetic extensions are made with a loop at the top and then a single dreadlock strand. You install these by pulling a section of your hair through the loop, braiding your hair down the extension and securing with an elastic band. Single Ended extensions are great for partial installs, or decorative/accent pieces. You can do a full head with single ended but you won’t have as full of a look as you would with double ended extensions. I personally use the single ended extensions along my neckline because my hair is more sparse and fine. The single ended extensions stay a little tighter for longer along my neckline.

Double Ended (DE)

Double Ended Synthetic extensions are one very long strand folded in half. They are installed by placing the fold against your scalp in between your parted hair section. Then you braid your hair onto one side of the extension and secure it with an elastic band. Double Ended extensions create a beautiful full look. A typical full head install is 45-50 double ended extensions which means you have 90-100 “ends” in your hair. I personally install 50 DE dreadlocks in my hair when I install a full set.

Goddess Curls

Goddess Curls are gorgeous! I love them. If you’ve seen my content then you already know that the goddess curls are a little more maintenance than the other types of extensions. Goddess Curls only come in double ended. The center of the Curls are a twisted locked center. You braid your hair onto the twisted center and then secure with an elastic band. If your hair is longer than the twisted center, It’s ok! You can braid your hair onto the curl. When you receive your Goddess Curls they will be soft and fluffy curls. Just like with the other extensions they will continue to lock as you wear them. The curls lock as individual curls. To help this process, maintain them with product and separate them twice daily! Separating the curls will help them be defined and not tangle with other curls or dreadlocks if you intermix the Goddess Curls with your Dreads.

STRONG SUGGESTION: ((Do not wear Goddess Curls on motorcycle rides))

The Goddess Curls are made as a micro size dreadlock. The smaller size allows the curls to lock in a natural way. I wear 65 Goddess Curls in my full set.

How to Install Your Dreadlock Extensions

Install Guide

How to make Your Extensions look Brand New

Plus all of my methods, tips and tricks to creating all of my dreadlock extensions

Hair Strandz Academy