FAQ
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Book NowDreadlocks vs Locs — What's the Difference?
Not sure which is right for you? Here's a side by side breakdown. Synthetic = Dreadlocks. Human Hair = Locs.
✦ Synthetic Dreadlocks
- Temporary wear — 4-6 weeks at a time
- Installed in 2-6 hours
- Painless install
- Easy to care for
- Braided into your natural hair with rubber bands
- Relatively easy to remove
- Creates tons of volume
- Less expensive
- Dries relatively quickly
- Need at least 4 inches of your own hair
- Great protective style
- Can be reinstalled multiple times
- Made from Kanekalon or Henlón fiber
✦ Human Locs
- Permanent long term look
- Longer install time
- Can feel sensitive on scalp initially
- Requires more care especially year one
- Natural, realistic appearance
- Time consuming to comb out — but absolutely possible!
- Volume depends on your natural hair thickness
- Higher investment
- Longer drying time as locs mature
- Need at least 4 inches of natural hair
- Goes through a "crazy phase" first few months — totally normal!
- Made from sustainably sourced recycled human hair
Still not sure? Book a consultation or text us at (385) 429-2993 and we'll help you decide.
Ordering & Shop
Until our full online shop is up and running, the fastest way to place an order is by texting us at (385) 429-2993. We'll walk you through everything — colors, length, quantity and payment.
Every set is made to order so please allow 1-2 weeks. This includes sourcing materials, handcrafting your set and shipping. We'll keep you updated every step of the way!
YES! Custom colors are our specialty. Text us at (385) 429-2993 with your color inspo and we'll make it happen.
Because every set is handcrafted specifically for you, all sales are final once an order has been placed. If a dread falls out however, bring it back and we will fix it for free — no questions asked.
- Short (10-12") — hits around the chin to shoulder.
- Medium (16-18") — hits mid-back. Our most popular length.
- Long (20-24"+) — dramatic and flowing, hits lower back and beyond.
Appointments & Services
Unfortunately no — we are by appointment only. Book online here or text us at (385) 429-2993.
Book online anytime at dreadx.glossgenius.com/services or text us at (385) 429-2993. We offer both service appointments and consultations!
- Peek-a-boo (bottom accents): 5-10 dreads
- Partial: 5-20 dreads
- Half head shaved: 20-35 dreads
- Full head with small undercut: 40-55 dreads
- Full head: 40-65 dreads
Absolutely not! We can add as many or as few as you want. Only want a half set or just a couple? Perfect — we can make it happen.
You need at least 4 inches of natural hair for both synthetic dreadlocks and human locs. The softer your hair texture, the more techniques may be needed to keep them secure.
Synthetic Dreadlocks — General Questions
DreadX synthetic dreadlocks are made from Kanekalon or high quality Henlón fiber — lightweight, soft and durable. We also carry heat resistant synthetic hair for those who like to style with heat tools.
We recommend no longer than 4-6 weeks at a time. Give your head a break for a few weeks before reinstalling. With proper care they can last a very long time!
Yes! Just rinse thoroughly after swimming and dry properly. Do not use hot water when drying as it can affect the shape and texture.
Some adjustment is normal! A little itching or tightness in the first few days is totally normal. Alcohol free witch hazel (we love Thayers!) or rose water spritzed on your scalp helps. A light hair oil once or twice a week also keeps your scalp happy.
Braid them up and cover with a bonnet or do-rag at night. This keeps frizz down and helps train the dreadlocks to stay neat and individual. A silk pillowcase works great too!
When properly installed and cared for, synthetic dreadlocks are a protective style — they actually help protect your natural hair. If your hair is severely over processed or brittle, this may not be the best choice. When in doubt book a consultation.
Synthetic Dreadlocks — Care & Maintenance
Once a week or every other week depending on how your scalp feels. In between washes spritz your scalp with alcohol free witch hazel or rose water to keep things fresh and relieve any itching.
You can use most shampoos — just avoid conditioner as it will loosen the braid and cause them to slip out.
✦ Pro Tip: Alcohol free witch hazel or rose water spritzed on your scalp between washes is great for keeping things fresh and relieving an itchy scalp.
Dry with a microfiber towel by squeezing gently — never rubbing. Do NOT use high heat as it can melt the fiber. If you have heat resistant synthetic hair, heat tools are fine. Keep them hanging or laying straight while drying.
✦ Important: Never go to sleep with wet dreadlocks.
- No conditioner — loosens the braid and causes slipping
- No coconut oil — instantly breaks down the rubber bands holding your natural hair in place
- No high heat — unless you have heat resistant synthetic fiber
- Wash once a week or every other week
- Spritz scalp with witch hazel or rose water between washes if needed
- Apply a light hair oil to your scalp once or twice a week
- Separate each dreadlock daily — they tend to velcro to each other over time
- Braid and cover with a bonnet or do-rag at night
- Remove after 4-6 weeks and give your hair a break before reinstalling
✦ First few days: Avoid high and thick hairstyles right after install as this can cause scalp irritation.
Human Locs — General Questions
On average about 20% loss of length during backcombing. Very curly or layered hair tends to lose more than straight hair. The larger the sections, the more hair required per inch of loc.
Yes! Combing out locs is time consuming but absolutely possible — no need to shave your head. Your hair may be a little frizzy and you'll lose some hair in the process but it can be done with patience.
Yes! Chlorine won't hurt them and salt water can actually help them mature. You'll find some new loose hair after swimming but that's easily taken care of with a little maintenance.
Yes! Locs generally fatten up as they mature. You'll gain thickness and fullness in the first 3-4 months as the tips draw up toward the roots making them shorter and wider.
Your hair is still growing at the same speed — locs just gain length slower because the hair zigs and zags horizontally inside the loc. Once they mature they'll start gaining length faster. Thinner locs gain length faster than thicker ones.
Your locs are like plants — as long as your roots are healthy, your locs will grow healthy. Avoid: pulling locs too tight, over processing with color, and lacking iron and folic acid in your diet.
Use a rubber band at the roots of each loc to keep them apart, and have someone maintain your loose hair at the roots regularly. Palm rolling is your best friend!
You'll know! They get hard like ropes — flexible but resistant when you try to squish them flat. They become much harder to penetrate and feel firm and compact. Larger locs get tighter than thinner ones.
Human Locs — Care & Maintenance
As your locs mature they shrink and if not properly maintained you can get "bumps or elbows" in them. Fly aways are another sign it's time to show your locs some love! For the first year we recommend maintenance every 4-6 weeks.
Once a week is recommended. Pro tip — wash the day before your salon appointment so your loctician has a nice clean scalp to work with! Spritz your scalp with alcohol free witch hazel or rose water between washes.
Use a sulfate, paraben and dye free shampoo. Our recommendations:
- Shea Moisture Black Castor Oil Shampoo — great for dry scalps
- Trader Joe's Tea Tree Shampoo — great for oily scalps
Towel dry with a microfiber towel by squeezing gently. Air dry or use a blow dryer on low heat. Never go to sleep with wet locs — this causes Dread Rot, the number one reason locs get smelly.
✦ Pro Tip: Lean over, let them hang down, squeeze water out, wrap in microfiber towel and wring gently. Finish with a hair dryer on low heat if needed.
Our top recommendation is Black Castor Oil — an antiseptic that promotes thicker, stronger and faster growing hair. Other great options:
- Jojoba oil — moisturizes and adds nutrients
- Argan oil — moisturizes and nourishes
- Lavender oil — deep conditions and helps control dandruff
- Cedarwood oil — stimulates scalp and promotes growth
- Rosemary oil — stimulates roots and improves circulation
No. Conditioner leaves residue inside your locs that is extremely difficult to remove. It leads to odor and buildup trapped permanently. Use oils instead — they work far better.
Absolutely not! Wax is not water soluble — water cannot penetrate the loc to clean it. Over time wax builds up causing locs to become heavy, smell and attract dirt. Locs are a journey — they take time and patience, not shortcuts.
The first year is the most important — stay consistent!
- Maintenance appointment every 4-6 weeks (can spread out as they mature)
- Wash once a week — the day before your appointment is ideal
- Spritz scalp with witch hazel or rose water between washes
- Palm roll your locs once a week or every other week
- Wear a bonnet or do-rag when sleeping
- Deep cleanse every month with an ACV wash
- Never sleep with wet locs
✦ The "crazy phase" in the first few months is completely normal. Trust the process!
Deep cleanse every month. Soak your locs for 10 minutes in hot water with a little dread soap. Work soap into each loc like a sponge, let sit 5 minutes, then work the soap out while underwater and flush until completely clean.
ACV Deep Clean Recipe:
ACV Deep Clean Recipe:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 16 oz organic apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 lemon sliced
- 1/2 orange sliced
- 1/2 lime sliced
- 1 cup epsom salt
- 1 rose (fresh or dry) or 1 cup rose water
Throw them above your pillow, use a silk pillowcase, or sleep with a silk cap, bonnet or do-rag. Just make sure they are completely dry before bed!