Synthetic Dreadlocks

Synthetic dreadlock extensions are dreads made by hand from synthetic fiber, in three styles: smooth, textured and curly. Some sets mix two styles in one pack. Every dread is crocheted with a hook and a comb in our studio. It is 0.8–1 cm thick and sold as double ended (DE) or single ended (SE). A synthetic set is worn for 1.5–2 months per install and lasts 2–3 installs.

Three styles

• Smooth dreads have an even, flat surface. They are crocheted and then treated with steam.
• Textured dreads look like dreads grown over years. The fiber is backcombed, crocheted and set with boiling water, which fixes the bumps.
• Curly dreads have a crocheted top with Ariel spirals or soft waves below it.

Mixed sets combine curls with textured or smooth dreads, often with a thin braid in every ten. To build your own mix, buy two sets and install them together.

Two fibers: kanekalon and henlon

Smooth and textured dreads are made of low-temperature kanekalon. It holds bright colours well, but it is not heat-resistant: heat above 60–70 °C damages it. Saunas, hot hair dryers and flat irons are off limits, while a warm bath around 40 °C is safe.

Curly dreads, and the curly parts of mixed sets, are made of henlon. This heat-resistant fiber tolerates about 150 °C. A sauna is fine for henlon curls. They can be restyled with a flat iron at a moderate temperature, only through a damp cotton towel. In a mixed set the kanekalon dreads still set the limit, so keep the whole set below 60–70 °C.

In both fibers the colour is added when the fiber is produced. It does not fade or oxidise, and one batch matches the next.

DE and SE formats

A DE dread has no loop and folds over a thin braid of your own hair, so one attachment gives two ends. An SE dread has a loop that goes onto a strand of your hair, and the strand is then braided around the dread. For a full head you need 40–65 DE dreads or 45–75 SE dreads, depending on how dense your hair is. The dread calculator gives the exact range, and the SE and DE guide compares the formats.

Care for all synthetic styles

• Wash at most once a week. Dilute the shampoo 1:5 with water, apply it to the scalp only and let the dreads air-dry.
• Do not use conditioner. It loosens the thin braids of your own hair that hold the dreads.
• Never comb or brush the dreads. Separate tangles with your fingers; a badly tangled knot can be carefully cut off.
• Curly dreads need daily finger separation. The free wavy ends of the two boho sets are the only part that may be combed.

After 1.5–2 months the set comes out and can go back in right away. Free installation and care videos are in the DaddyDread Academy.

Synthetic or natural?

Choose synthetic dreads for bright colours and fixed textures that real hair cannot give. Choose natural human hair dreads if you want hair that takes heat, can be dyed darker and lasts for years. Many people wear both at different times.

Who makes them

DaddyDread has made dreads by hand for 13+ years and shipped more than 5,000 sets to over 4,000 happy clients in 60+ countries. After you order, Danila makes one dread first and sends you a photo to confirm the colour and texture. Delivery time and cost for your country are shown under the buy button.