After your beautiful extensions arrive, I recommend giving them a gentle wash and rinse in cool water. Never use hot water on your extensions. They are set in hot steam during the creation process, and adding heat again can cause them to lose their shape or loosen their structure.
After rinsing, either let them drip dry or use a microfiber towel to gently squeeze out excess water. Do not twist or wring them. Lay them flat or hang them straight while drying so they keep their intended shape.
Before installing, make sure you’re prepared. Have elastics or string ready to secure the ends of your natural hair, a comb for sectioning, a spray bottle with water to lightly mist sections, clips or hair ties to organize your hair, and at least one mirror (two is better so you can see the back of your head).
Plan your install for after wash day when your hair is completely dry and free of product. A self-install can take a few hours, especially the first time. The more often you do it, the quicker and more comfortable you’ll become.

And don’t forget your before and after photos. I love a good unpacking or transition video — tag me so I can hype you up.

These dreadlock extensions are designed to be braided into your natural hair using a basic three-strand braid (yes, the one you learned as a kid) or the blanket stitch technique.
Recommended wear time for each install is 4–6 weeks.
Single Ended locs are typically used to extend the length of an existing natural loc. They are attached by securing the free end to your natural loc, usually with a crochet hook.
For a braid install, always begin with clean, completely dry hair with no product in it. Use a comb to create neat, organized sections. Your parts do not need to be perfectly straight, but they should be intentional and clean.
Lightly mist each section with water to smooth baby hairs. Split that section horizontally into two pieces. Place the dreadlock at the root between those two sections so that you now have three strands to braid. Braid down using the dreadlock as the third strand.
The braid should be snug to the root, but not tight. Too much tension can cause irritation, tension bumps, and even hair loss over time. Comfort matters.
Each section must have enough natural hair to support the weight of the dread. If your hair is very fine or thin, consider leaving your hairline out and taking slightly larger sections throughout your head. It may take a little experimenting, but the goal is always support and scalp health.

Secure the ends with elastics or thread. If needed, use two elastics to make sure your natural ends stay tucked and secure.

How often you wash your hair will depend on your scalp. This takes a little experimenting. You want to find the balance between keeping your scalp clean and not washing so often that your roots loosen too quickly.
If you wash too frequently, your roots may tangle and loosen faster, meaning you’ll need to remove them sooner. If you wait too long and your scalp is not used to extended time between washes, you may experience itching. Constant itching can create tension on the roots and contribute to shedding.
If you’re adjusting to longer wash cycles, start with every 4–5 days. If your scalp tolerates it well, you can gradually extend to 7–9 days.
Avoid heavy products like conditioners on your scalp, hair masks, thick oils, and dry shampoos. Product buildup leads to itching and makes removal more difficult because buildup creates resistance at the roots.
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup and keep your scalp balanced. You may add a small splash of apple cider vinegar (without essential oils) to your shampoo to help stabilize your scalp’s pH.
When washing, I find it easiest to divide the dreadlocks into four sections: top bun, two sides, and back. If you have wavy sets, separate and section them while dry before entering the shower.
Rinse each section individually with warm water to open the cuticle and allow for a deeper cleanse. Massage shampoo into your scalp using your fingertips — not your nails. Wash each section twice and rinse thoroughly. I like to rest my dreads over my shoulders while washing because they become heavy when saturated.

Always let the water run downward. Do not scrunch or aggressively move the loose fibers. Wash in the morning so everything has time to fully dry before bed.

Washing the extensions themselves is not required every single removal, but refreshing them regularly keeps them clean and ready for reinstallation.
Fill a sink with cold water. Add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of baking soda. Submerge the dreadlocks, gently squeezing them for about a minute before allowing them to soak for 10–15 minutes.
Drain and rinse thoroughly. If needed, repeat the process. You can also follow with a second soak using clarifying shampoo to refresh the scent.
After rinsing, squeeze out excess water using a clean towel (not your body towel). Hang them on a rack or lay them flat to dry. If blow drying, use only the cool setting. Never blow dry wavy sets.
Keep them hanging or laying straight while drying. They will take the shape of whatever position they dry in.

They will not smell like vinegar once dry — I promise.

Maintenance means removing individual extensions, brushing that section out, and reinstalling it immediately. A full removal means taking them all out at once. A re-install includes removal, washing or detoxing both your natural hair and the extensions, and starting fresh.
I strongly recommend removing your extensions between 4–6 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows.
We naturally shed 50–100 hairs per day. Even while braided, your hair continues shedding. After four weeks, you’ve lost well over 2,000 hairs that are now sitting inside those braids. Your hair has also grown at least half an inch, which loosens the root while shed hairs begin tangling together.
If left too long, your natural hair may begin forming its own loc at the root. Removing before this point prevents unnecessary breakage and makes brushing out significantly easier.
Your natural hair health always comes first!

Dread maturing is the natural process where synthetic fibers interlock more tightly after weeks of wear. When you first receive your dreads, they look smooth and neat. Over time, they develop a more natural, lived-in appearance. This is normal and beautiful.
Twisted locs will go through a more noticeable maturing phase and may slightly expand from their original tightness. They will not unravel. Do not attempt to re-seal them, as reheating can compromise their structure.
If twisted locs stick together, gently separate them by holding each loc firmly and running your fingers down to pop them apart. Palm rolling can help push fibers back into place. Once matured, twisted locs become very durable.
Crochet locs do not go through much of a maturing phase since they are already tightly locked. Accent styles, such as braids, may have small loose ends that can be palm rolled or lightly trimmed.
Be mindful around velcro, textured walls, or anything that can snag fibers.

If you notice loose hairs at the ends of a loc, you may allow them to naturally mat over time. If preferred, lightly brush while firmly holding the loc at the base of the loose area.

These styles require the most attention in the beginning because they start as loose synthetic fibers. Over time, those fibers will naturally mat and interlock, creating soft, curly or wavy locs. That transformation is intentional — but how you handle them determines how they mature.
When first installed, they will look like loose hair bundles. Within 2–3 weeks, they begin taking on the appearance of soft curly dreadlocks. Once that maturing stage happens, their shape stabilizes and they become significantly lower maintenance.
There are two ways to wear these styles, and it’s important to decide which look you’re going for.

If you want to keep them brushed, defined, and neat, this requires higher daily maintenance. In the first few days after install, avoid high, tight, or heavy hairstyles. Your scalp is adjusting and too much pulling can cause irritation.
To maintain definition, separate strands from one another 1–2 times per day. Lightly moisten your hands or mist the hair before separating so fibers don’t stick together. When brushing, always brush each extension individually — never in clumps. Start at the bottom and slowly work upward while firmly holding the loc at the point where your natural hair meets the extension. This protects the integrity of the braid and prevents unnecessary tension at the root.
Never aggressively pull through knots. These are delicate synthetic fibers. If you encounter a tangle that won’t gently release with your fingers, carefully trim the single connecting fiber instead of yanking it apart.

If instead you want them to mature into wavy dreadlocks (recommended for longevity and lower maintenance), do not brush them at all. Brushing disrupts the natural interlocking process. Instead, separate each loc 1–2 times daily in the beginning by running your fingers around the loc — not through it. You are encouraging each piece to form individually without attaching to neighboring locs.
Because they are loose fibers, neighboring extensions will naturally try to bind together. This is why separation is essential. If two locs fuse at a small point and cannot be gently separated by hand, carefully trim the tiny bridge between them.
As they mature, maintenance becomes easier and less frequent. Over time, they require significantly less daily separation.

During shampooing, focus primarily on your scalp. Allow shampoo to run downward through the loose synthetic hair rather than scrubbing or scrunching it. Rinse thoroughly in a downward motion. Do not “woosh” or pile the loose hair around, as this creates unnecessary knots.
Synthetic fibers do not require conditioner. Be careful not to get oils or heavy product on elastics, as this can cause them to loosen or snap.
After washing, wrap your extensions in a towel without flipping your head forward. Rest the towel over your shoulders so the weight of wet hair does not strain your roots. If you blow dry your roots, use the cool setting only. Never blow dry wavy sets.

At night, gather curls into two loose braids and wear a satin sleeping cap. This prevents unnecessary tangling and reduces morning maintenance.

Be especially cautious around velcro, textured walls, rough fabrics, or decorative grass walls. Loose fibers can snag easily.
Handled correctly, these styles are incredibly versatile and long-lasting. Most issues happen when they are brushed aggressively or not separated consistently in the beginning stages.

Removal is just as important as installation. Doing it correctly protects your natural hair and keeps your set reusable.
First and most important: remove on dry hair only. Wet hair is more fragile and stretches under tension, making it more prone to breakage during brushing.
I recommend removing or maintaining between 4–6 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. Leaving them in longer increases root tangling and makes removal significantly harder.
We naturally shed 50–100 hairs per day. Even while braided, your hair continues shedding. After four weeks, over 2,000 shed hairs are sitting inside each braid. Combine that with half an inch of new growth and loosening at the root, and you have the perfect recipe for root tangling if left too long.
To remove:
Start by cutting the elastics. Never pull them off. Pulling can snap natural hair.
Gently unravel the braid from the bottom upward. Take your time. Once the extension is free, immediately brush that entire section out before moving on.
Do not skip brushing before washing. If you introduce water before brushing out shed hair, the water causes those loose hairs to tighten and tangle, making removal more difficult.
You may lightly mist with water while brushing if needed, but do not soak the hair.
Brush thoroughly until that section is fully detangled, then move to the next braid. Repeat until the entire head is complete.
After full removal, wash your natural hair at least twice to remove any buildup and shed hair residue. You may follow with conditioner on your natural hair only.
Wash your extensions separately using the apple cider vinegar soak method described earlier. Squeeze excess water with a clean towel and allow them to dry completely straight before storing or reinstalling.
If you plan to reinstall immediately, make sure both your natural hair and the extensions are fully dry before starting again.
The most common mistake during removal is rushing. The second most common mistake is leaving them in too long.

When removed on time and brushed correctly, your natural hair remains healthy, and your extensions remain reusable for multiple installs.

I want to be very transparent here.
Most negative experiences people have with extensions come from one of three things:

• Installing too tightly
• Using heavy product buildup
• Leaving them in longer than recommended

Not from the extensions themselves.
If you follow the 4–6 week wear window and properly brush out before washing during removal, your natural hair will remain healthy and happy.
These are meant to be protective — not permanent.
When worn responsibly, they are one of the safest temporary protective styles you can use!

Google can be a little confusing with help and troubleshooting for loc extensions. Read this first!

If something feels off, take a breath. Most issues are normal adjustment phases and very easy to fix when handled correctly.
Here’s what’s normal, what’s not, and what to do.


Itchy Scalp
Mild itching in the first 1–2 weeks is completely normal. Your scalp is adjusting to:

• Sectioning
• Tension at the root
• A new wash schedule
• Reduced airflow

Before doing anything extreme, try this:
• Wash your scalp with clarifying shampoo
• Rinse extremely well
• Make sure no product buildup is sitting at the root
• Lightly pat dry — do not aggressively rub
If you recently extended your wash cycle, your scalp may just be adjusting. Try washing every 4–5 days instead of pushing to 7–9 immediately.
What NOT to do:

• Do not pour heavy oils directly onto your scalp
• Do not use thick leave-in conditioners at the root
• Do not scratch aggressively

Excess oil and heavy product are the #1 causes of prolonged itching.
If itching feels intense, burning, or painful, your install may be too tight. In that case, remove the tight pieces immediately. Tension should never hurt.


Extensions Sticking Together
This is most common with wavy or curly sets in the first few weeks.
Loose fibers naturally want to attach to neighboring locs. This does not mean they are ruined.
Separate them gently using your fingers. Run your fingers around each loc — not through it. If two locs have fused at a tiny point and won’t separate, carefully trim the small connecting fiber rather than pulling.
Consistency with separation in the beginning prevents this long-term.


Frizz or Loose Fibers
Some frizz is completely normal as extensions mature. That “perfectly smooth” look softens over time, which actually makes them look more natural.
If you notice loose fibers:

• Lightly palm roll the loc
• Or trim small stray fibers

Do not brush aggressively unless you are intentionally maintaining a brushed curly look.


Slipping or Loosening at the Root
If a braid feels loose early on, it usually means:

• The section was too small
• The hair was too silky or freshly conditioned
• Or the braid wasn’t snug enough at install

You can remove and redo that single piece without reinstalling your whole head.
If loosening is happening around week 4–5, that is normal root growth. It may simply be time for maintenance or a re-install.


Heavy Feeling or Tender Scalp
Your head is adjusting to added weight. This usually resolves within a few days.
Avoid:

• High tight ponytails immediately after install
• Sleeping without a satin wrap
• Constantly pulling them upward

If tenderness lasts longer than a week or feels sharp, check that sections were not braided too tightly.


Strong Smell After Washing
If extensions smell musty after washing, they likely did not dry completely.
Always:

• Wash in the morning
• Let them fully air dry
• Keep them separated while drying

Synthetic fibers hold water longer than natural hair. Full drying is important.


When To Remove Immediately
Remove extensions if you experience:

• Burning sensation
• Persistent sharp pain
• Visible tension bumps
• Significant scalp irritation
• Signs of allergic reaction

Mild itching = normal.
Pain = not normal.
Listen to your scalp.


Final Note
Almost every issue comes down to one of three things:

• Too much tension
• Too much product
• Too much wear time

When installed correctly and removed on time, these extensions are safe, reusable, and protective.

If something feels off and you’re unsure, reach out before trying random advice online. I would always rather guide you properly than have you experiment with your hair.