DREADLOCKS FOR ALL HAIRTYPES
We recommend you to do research on dreadlocks to see if they suite your lifestyle. At least read all the info on our page to know the basics. Dreading your hair is a semi permanent style and a big commitment. You shoudn’t make the decision lightly. Also check out different dreadstyles to find what would suite you best. It would be beneficial to do research on the history of dreadlocks and their connections and connotations to different cultures, religions, ethnic and political values.
Dreadlocks for all Hair Types
We offer dreadlocks from scratch, with extensions and maintenances ect. for all hairtypes. Straight and curly/coily textures.
The technique we use is called instant dreads/ crocheted dreads, no products, wax, chemicals or threads used. Hair stays strong and healthy. Dreads are instantly strong and will become long lasting. For permanent dreadstyles we only use real human hair. No synthetic.
You can choose loose or blunt ends to your dreadlocks. Brick pattern sectioning by default (other types of sectioning also by request).
DREADS ARE MADE AND FIXED ALWAYS ON CLEAN AND DRY HAIR
!! REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HAIR/ DREADS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT !!
Please, dont use conditioner or oils before your appointment!
Only for deepcleansing appointent you don’t need to wash your dreads beforehand
‘Relaxed Brick Sectioning’
’Brick Sectioning’
‘Free Sectioning’ and ‘Relaxed Brick Sectioning’ are the fastest and therefore most affordable to make. They have more natural feel, creating a free form dread look. The sizes of the individual dreads can be varied.
‘Brick Sectioning’ creates a finished sharp look. It looks exceptionally good if you like to do a lot of different styles like braids ect with your dreads. The dread above, falls between the two dreads below, covering the scalp. Dead sizes are uniform.
‘Diamond Sectioning’ is the most elaborate style of sectioning. Creating a beautiful finish. This one you will see less often because it is quite labor intensive to make and therefore a bit more expensive but worth it! Dread sizes uniform. If the area of your dreadlocks is relatively small diamond parting is a great way to make a statement!
’Free Sectioning’
’Diamond Sectioning’
Sectioning
Plan ahead what type of sectioning you would like to have!
It is one of the key elements when making your dreadstyles. Sectioning is almost impossible to change afterwards.
Our favourites are so called ‘Brick sectioning and ‘Free sectioning’ (other choises, like diamond sectioning by request).
Most important is that the sections are as close to square or round in shape, letting the dreadlock grow evenly, creating a round uniform form and fall down naturally. Sharp edges and narrow shapes should be avoided! No triangles!
After getting Dreadlocks
We recommend not to wet or wash your dreads during the first few weeks. You can use refreshing sprays to make your dreads and scalp feel fresh and stop the itching. (for example we sell Raw Roots: Rescue tonic)
Wash your dreads every two weeks for the first few months. After that its up to you to find out what is a good washing cycle for you. Washing once a week is often the optimal. However washing dreads is not optional! You will need to wash them and care for them. (We recommend a deepcleanse every 6 months. More on this below)
Use shampoo designed for your hair type and / or dreadlocks or an organic shampoo.
For straight hair types we can recommend some of our favourite brands: Raw Roots, Dolly Locks and Davines. Don’t use heavy conditioners at least within the first years. For conditioning we recommend using conditioning and refreshing dreadlocks sprays. After the first few years you can start experimenting with conditioners made for dreadlocks, organic conditioners like for example Rosewater spray, Aloe Vera gel or spray…
Good brands for curly hairtypes: Shea Moisture, Living Proof, Davines Curly, Sumilayi, Jamaican Mango & Lime.
Weather your shampoo is in gel form or your using a block shampoo, we recommend to always dilute the shampoo with water and create foam, use the shampoo-water-foam mixture to wash your dreads!
When your done washing and rinsing, squeeze water gently out of the dreads with your hands. Dont twist them! Use microfiber towel to squeeze and pat your dreads dry. After patting your dreads as dry as you can with the towel, let the air dry.
You can check more about washing on our blog.
Home Maintenance
All dreads will get frizzy in the beginning, this is normal part of the process and will continue until dreads get matured. Maturing also called tightening process can take around 6-12 months or even more depending on your hair type. Don’t cut the frizz off! Palm rolling and patience is the key here! You can minimize the frizz with products like tightening spray from Dolly Locks or tightening gel from Raw Roots. The sprays combined with palmrolling will speed up the maturing process of new dreads. And help you with the frizz. Check out videos on palmrolling on Youtube.
Another common issue with new dreads is that the dreads, specially dreads with extensions tend to get shorter and thicker towards the tip. You will need to stretch them back to normal lenght. This is easies to do after washing, when dreads are towel dry. Take a good hold on the dread close to root with one hand and pull the tip down with another hand. If your dreads have extensions be careful not to pull the area where the extension is connected! You need to hold the other hand on the top part of the extension and pull down below it. Or hold the tip of the extension with one hand and pull the dread upwards, streching it, with the other hand.
Kuva: Verigles
Important:
Always dilute the shampoo with water
Rinse the products out well
Never twist the dreads wet
Never close the dreads wet. Let them air dry!
Palmrolling and pulling to keep the lenght
Dont cut the frizz off!
Home maintenance is important
Before Getting Dreadlocks
Dreads are always made and maintained on a clean and dry hair! It is very important that you wash and detangle your hair before coming to your appointment!
Notice! If you forget to wash your hair prior to a dreadmaking apointment, we might have to reschedule, because currently we dont have dreadwashing possibility in our salon.
Making dreadlocks is a semi permanent decision. You should consider well if you are willing to do that. We dont use any chemicals while making the dreads, so your hair stays healthy and strong. The dreads can be opened, at least within the first few years. However the opening process can harm the hair. We do not offer dread opening as a service, because it is very labor intensive and extremely slow process.
Making dreads is a very slow process, its usually good to reserve the whole day or two for it. Also note that the experience may be uncomfortable, making of dreads can cause some pain, especially if your scalp is tender.
Also take into consideration that for the first few years you will need to maintain your dreads regularly.
Dreadlocks need commitment, dont jump into it without considering these facts. If you do make the commitment to take dreads, have the patience to go trough the more laborious first stages. Eventually you’ll have beautifull, care free, dreads that you can enjoy for the rest of your life!!
Remember the first maintenance of new dreads should be done within the first 3 months. New dreads are soft and possible problems can be easily handled then. If the problems like thinning or lumps and bumbs mature and get tight, they will be much more difficult to fix
Notice!
You can buy most of the products, mentioned on this site, from our Story Shop at
Dreadstory
Harjutorinkatu 1
Sörnäinen Helsinki
Kuva: Uupi Tirronen, Kuvaunit
With our techniques you will have strong and healthy hair and dreadlocks. With good maintenance you can keep them for the rest of your life!
Dreadlocks for Straight Hair Types
For straight hair types you will need to have minimum 10-15 cm long hair to make dreadlocks or to attach extensions. Your hair has to be the minimum lenght on the whole area where you want dreads to.
For the straight hair textures dreads will be about 25% shorter than your hair open.
If your hair is close to the minimum lenght and you are not getting extensions, please keep in mind, that they will be so short and light in the beginning, that they will ‘stand up’ in your hair. You can make them fall down using a durag or a hat to force them down.
We recommend you to have patience to grow your hair long enough before making dreads, so you will have nice dreads that you can enjoy from the start. Or consider adding extensions. You’ll find more on extensions further below.
Dreadlocks for afro hair
For hair with tight curlpattern / coily hair you will need to have minimum of 10 cm long hair to make dreadlocks and minimum of 5cm to attach extensions.
Your hair has to be the minimum lenght on the whole area where you want dreads to!
The lenght of the dreads will be about the same lenght or even longer than your curly/coily hair in a natural curly state.
If your hair is close to the minimum lenght and you are not getting extensions, please keep in mind, that they will be so short and light in the beginning, that they will ‘stand up’ in your hair. You can make them fall down by using a durag or a domecap to force them down. we sell them at Story Shop!
We recommend you to have patience to grow your hair long enough before making dreads, so you will have nice dreads that you can enjoy from the start! Or consider adding extensions. You’ll find more on extensions further below.
Home maintenance for coily/curly hair type dreadlocks:
Home maintenance within the first years is important! We recommend washing cycle every 2 to 4 weeks for the first few months and then for example once a week.
Always use a shampoo and conditioner designed for your hairtype or designed for all hairtype dreadlocks. Dilute the shampoo with water to create foamy shampoo-water to wash your dreads with. We recommend brands like Shea Moisture, Sumilayi, Living Proof, Jamaican Mango & Lime.
After the first months, you can start using a conditioner every now and then. Use conditioner after shampooing and rinse it out well! Or use a leave in conditioner to towel dry dreads. Dont use conditioner too often, once a month could be enough, so the structure of your dreads don’t get too soft. See what works for your hair type.
After washing, pat them dry preferably with a microfibre towel. Don’t twist the dreads to get the water out! This might cause breakage. Let your dreads airdry. If you have dry scalp you can use natural oil to condition your scalp.
Find out which brand/combination works best for you. For example Sumilayi, Davines and Living Proof has a great moisturising leave in conditioner designed for curly/coily hair types! You can buy some of them from our Story Shop at Dreadstory.
Home Maintenance!
After washing, when dreads are almost dry, is the best time for a home maintenance!
Hair and dreads are most adaptable when little wet.
Seperate the dreads all the way to the roots by hand. They tend to stick together during the washes.
Palmroll to keep them round, minimize frizz and to help the maturing process. You can find great videos on this on Youtube.
Let them air dry or use hairdryer. NEVER TIE UP OR COVER YOUR DREADS WHILE THEY ARE STILL WET!
Note!
Cover your clean and dry dreads as often as possible to prevent dirt and lint getting inside the dreads! This will also help to prevent frizziness and to protect them from lint and dirt. As a cover you can use a silk scarf, bonnet cap, durag, dome cap. Any fabric that has silky no lint surface. If you find it difficult to sleep with a bonnet hat you can buy a silky/satin pillowcase
Avoid using knitted scarfes, cardigans, hats! You can wear a silky durag ect under the hat and so on. Or a hood of a hoodie between your dreads and your favourite scarf
Crochete
Maintenance
Maintenance is always done on clean hair, so remember to wash your dreads before your appointment!
We have different sub techniques like roots tightening, tucking in loose hair, separating or combining dreads, mending broken dreads, attatching broken pieces back on, sectioning correction and so on. These are all done with the crochete hook.
When you book a time for maintenance remember to explain what type of issues you want us to fix on your dreads to hep us to estimate the time needed.
If you havn’t done a deep cleanse on your dreads for a year, we recommend you do it 3-5 days before coming to the scheduled maintenance. It gives us more frizz to work with and a clean work surface. You can buy a deep cleanse home kit from our salon Dreadstory at Harjutorinkatu 1 or book a time for our deepcleansing service from us.
Maintenance cycle:
First maintenance should be done within the first 2-3 months after making the dreads. The second maintenance should be done a month or two after the first one. Any problems with your locks is easiest to fix at early stage. So do not hesitate to book your time for a maintenance!
After the first few lock maintenances, you can make a new reservation anytime you feel your dreadlocks need one. Some come to maintenance every 3 months some once a year. Depending on your hair type and the neatness level you desire.
Maintenance for Textured Hair Types:
Wash your hair before your maintenance appointment and light conditioner can be used but NO OIL!
For textured hair types, in addition to the crochet hook techniques, we also offer:
Root twisting with gel
The loose hair is wrapped around the dread and the gel will make the hair to stay on its place. Dreadlocks can be fixed by this technique alone for example when they are already matured, and are in a ok condition just frizzy. (If the dreads have more severe problems those are best fixed by crochete technique or a combination of both techniques)
Gel twisting is a quick technique that will give a nice and neat finish and shine! If needed we can use, what we call a a VIP service: combination of both crochete and twisting techniques. To get the best of both worlds!
When gel twisting is done often like every 2-3 months it will lead to maintained dreads that mature faster.
Gel Twisting -maintenance can be done together with Twostrandtwist -style. More on this below
Twostrand Twist-maintenance
Like seen in the video
combines gel twisting maintenance with twostrand twist hair style
Twisted roots stay nice and tight because two dreads are twisted together
Maintenance last much longer! and takes the same time as just root twisting with gel!
You can keep this hair style for few months and even wash it in twists! When you open them your dreads are curly
For straight hair type twostrand twists can be done as a style without the maintaining gel
See more below on Dreadstyles!
The realhair dreadlocs extensions we use for afro and mixed hair types are made from high-quality afro hair and come from Cameroon. Available in many lengths, thicknesses, textures and colors and gradients.
Blunt and curly tips Real hair extensions suitable for mixed hair quality are also available
The delivery time to Finland is about 1-2 weeks
The dreadlocks extensions we use for straight hair are from Sweden and the hair is of particularly high quality Scandinavian hair. There is a good selection of natural shades, gradients and solid colors available
The ends of the dreadlocks extensions are open hair, but we can also make them blunt if you wish
Also available are box extensions with extra long open ends (tips) The delivery time to Finland is about 1-2 weeks
You can learn more about extensions on the manufacturer's website: www.dreadone.com
Dreadlock Extensions
When you want dreadlocks with extensions, or you want to add additional length to your already existing locks, it can be done by our real human hair dreadlock extensions. We can give you 10 years of dread growth in a day!
For straight hair types your hair needs to be minimum 15cm long, for curly/coily hairtypes 8cm to attatch extensions.
To add length to existing dreadlocks they need to also be strong enough to carry the extra weight, the tips need to be able to be opened for the attaching. The size, colour and texture of the extension is based on the dreads it will be attached to.
When making permanent lock styles, we always use real hair extensions for all hair types. Real hair extensions act like your own hair they can be styled and coloured. Maintained well, they can last for years.
The extensions are attached to the tip of your own dread. It makes the extension easy to remove and you can go back to your previous style, if you feel like it.
If the extension hair is the same colour as your own hair, the joint becomes invisible. If the extension is e.g. a little lighter, your own colour will gradually change to the colour of the extension hair at the joint. If you want a nice gradient look, choose the extensions that are similar colour to your own hair but a shade or two lighter. If you want extensions with a stand out colour like bright red choose the lightest shade of extensions, having a light colour as a starting point will make your chosen colour pop!
We order our realhair hair dreadlock extensions from our reliable and high-quality partners.
For dreadlocks with extensions we recommend to check the instructions for emailing from the section: Bookings and to book appointment for a consultation. We can go through the different options, view different extensions, and choose a colour to match your own hair colour.
Payment for the extensions is made before ordering them. We take care of ordering, customs and other paperwork for you. So first you pay the extensions and later when you have your appointment for the dreadlocks you pay for the work.
If you already have extensions that you would like me to attach, send us pictures of them by email. We only use and attach real hair extensions!
Deep Cleansing
ACV Rinse aka dreadlock detox
Our deep cleaning treatment for dreadlocks is done with natural products
Its a great way to clean your dreadlocks from buildup and help you restore your hairs healthy shine and natural glow.
You can instantly feel the difference on your dreads, they become lighter, softer and smell fresh!
Buildup is caused by shampoos, pollution, skin cells and dirt, lint that gets stuck to dreads with time. Also continued and even occasional use of wax, gel and other styling products collect over time and leave residue to your dreadlocks. When this happens, simply washing is not enough anymore.
We recommend Deep Cleansing every 6 months. Our Deep cleaning treatment is followed by a conditioning treatment that balances moisture back in the hair and scalp.
To get the best results, I recommend to book the deep cleansing a week before your dread maintenance! Dreads take a long time to dry properly. Deep cleansing will also make your dreads extra clean and slippery, so for the maintenance to be lasting, it is better to have at least few days between deep cleanse and maintenance.
Deepcleansing is done by us, at our partner salon, Studio 9 Hämeentie 44. For this collaboration to run smoothly, and for us to be able to provide this service in the future, we need to ask you to pay small reservation fee for the deepcleansing appointments. This will be then deducted from the price at the appointment. Reservation fee is non-refundable.
Tip!
The best and easiest way to prevent dirt is to anticipate dirt getting into your locks in advance!
using the right kind of products designed for locks
protecting your locs from dirt and dust with bonnets and scarfes as often as possible
favouring lint-free textiles for example in your clothes and towels. Especially avoid fluffy beanies, scarfs and new terrycloth towels!
Dying Dreadlocks
You can make a reservation for bleaching or dying your dreads through us. Together with the hairdressers at Studio 9 we create your dreadlocks colours the way you want.
If you are interested in colouring your dreadlocks, email us and we can refer you to our partner hairdresser.
Dreadlocks usually need fixing after dying, so remember to make reservation for both!
In general if you are planning to colour your dreadlocks remember that dreadlocks shouldn’t be washed often in the first months after they were made. This includes dying.
For new dreadlocks we recommend not to dye before they are well into the maturing process.
However if you already know you want to colour when you are planning to have dreadlocks, one option is to colour your hair before we make the dreadlocks. Or we can colour the extensions before we attach them.
Dying dreads at home: we strongly advice to bleach and colour always in a salon by a professional! Easy shade changes can be done at home but remember to rinse the dreadlocks extremely well after! Keep in mind that many hair masks are conditioner based so using them often is like using conditioner. Especially for straight hair dreadlocks this will be harmful and open the structure of the dreadlocks and create weak points.
Dreadlocs for Children
Dreadlocks can also be made for children. We have set up an age limit of 7 years. but if the child is motivated, used to to sitting still and used to getting hair done we can consider making them also for younger children.
The hair has to be at least 15cm long on the area to make dreads. For more coily textures 8cm (measured stretched straight)
We recommend to take mobile or other devices to keep the child entertained and concentrated. If possible we kindly ask you to also bring headphones, to not disturb the other customers and workers in the salon. We can also divide the work to two or more days, to make it easier for the child.
Process of making dreadlocks is tedious and long. It can cause discomfort, when pulling and backcombing the hair. Scalp can also get sensitive after a while. The tools we use are very sharp and pointy and used very close to the scalp. For these safety reasons we have the age limit and its important for the child to stay still to avoid any accidents.
Please take into consideration that after making the dreads we recommend not wet or wash them for the first 2 weeks. So we recommend not to book time for dreadlocks just before a spa holiday ext. Summer time can also be problematic if the child want to swim a lot.
Consultation
You can make reservation for a free consultation. Free consultations are about 20 minute long, and mainly targeted for clients who want to make a reservation to have dreadlocks from the start, with extensions or other bigger projects if needed.
During the consultation we can discuss what type of dreads you want and what is possible for your hair. We can map out your situation and needs. After the consultation, I will be able to give a more precise price estimation. We will make a plan to order extensions if necessary and go trough different options for extensions. Some more elaborate dreadlock projects need to be divided into few separate appointments.. We can plan a timetable, that works for both of us
in the consultation you can pay the booking deposit and the possible extensions if needed
Tutoring Consultation
You can also make a reservation for a tutoring consultation with 65e/hour.
In this consultation, we can help you with whatever questions you have about dreadlocks. We can teach you home maintenance tips and techniques. Go trough different products that would suite your hair type. Show you step by step how to wash and deep cleanse your dreads at home. We can also make you a new plan, a regiment, which will help you to maintain your dreadlocks in good shape, and healthy for years!
Dreadstyles
We also offer dreadlocks styling for everyday occasions or celebrations
We can make simple dreadstyle for you after your maintenance but remember to let us know so we know to book extra time for it!
If the dreadstyle you want is more elaborate, book a time for it separatelly. For wedding styles ect. you can book a consultation meeting.
Dreadlocks can be curled, decorated, braided, twisted the sky is the limit!
Disclaimer!
Dreadstyles are not recommended for newly made locks, the soft structure of the new lock can be damaged.
You can make hairstyles for locks that are already matured, but you have to be moderate here too. Locks must be able to "rest" between hairstyles and the same hairstyle should not be done repeatedly.
For example, a hairband / a rubberband always in the same place may create a thinning point in the locks, from which the locks will then break later.
Two strand Twists
This is a popular dreadlocks style that can be done as a style to all dreadlocks, Curly or straight hair types.
For afro and mixed hair it is usually done simultaneously with a gel twist maintenance, making it a “protective style” for dreadlocks. Twostrand twists make the effect of the maintenance stay longer. You can also wash the dreads few times while in twists. If you open the twists after washing, when they are completely dry, your dreads will be curly. This is also a cool style that you an rock until your next wash!
Disclaimer! We don’t recommend keeping the style in for more than two months. You also need to let your dreads rest between styles. if you keep doing styles like twostrand twists many times in a row you risk your dreads getting permanently “curly” or “lumpy”, also styles stretch the dreads and can cause thin points!