What's the upkeep and maintenance like? How easy is it to have them put in? Is this look something that needs daily care? What about washing/conditioning? How about cost?

I'm asking because once I'm done with my current hair project, I've been toying with different ideas as what to do with my locks. I really, really like the look of those bright 'n' colourful synthetic dredlocks, but I'd want to know what I'd be walking into before I made a commitment on them.

Definitely not a picture of me, but these are what I'm talking about. I'm thinking pink and orange, if I did do it.

This might be helpful.

http://ezinearticles.com/...id=1310231

EmeraldSkies said:

Thanks.

Do you happen to know anything about cost, time involved in maintenence, or what to expect with weaving them in place?

I likey this look.

meow85 said:

I found this.
http://www.michellelocont...adfaq.html

General Questions About Synthetic Dreadlocks
Q. How much does it cost?
A. It can be as little as $10 for 3 dreads. Consultations are free and necessary for accurate cost. Specific needs, starting points, and desired results determine cost on an individual basis.

Q. How long does it take to get synthetic dreads?
A. Time varies on length, hair thickness, amount, etc. They can take a couple of hours to install.

Q. How long do they last?
A. Synthetic dreads can be re-used constantly. They last until you take them out.

Q. Are they permanent?
A. No, they are not.

Q. Can I go back to normal afterwards?
A. Yes.

Q. Will they damage my hair?
A. No, synthetic dreads will not damage your real hair.

Q. Does the hair where the extensions are connected dread naturally as it grows out?
A. No. Your hair will only dread and continue to dread after a dread perm. Synthetic dread extensions are not intended for that purpose.

Q. Can you tell the difference from a dread perm?
A. No one can tell the difference.

Q. How long/short can I get them?
A. You can adapt the length to your liking.

Q. How long does my hair have to be?
A. Synthetic dreads can be added to any type of hair that is 1 and 1/2 inches long.

Q. Don't dreads smell?
A. No. Why should they?



Maintenance of Synthetic Dreadlocks
Q. How often do I need to come in for maintenance?
A. In-salon maintenance is needed every two to four months.

Q. How much does synthetic dread maintenance cost?
A. Less than a dinner out. You control the cost based on our hourly rate.

Q. Can I shampoo my hair with synthetic dreads?
A. Yes.

Q. I thought you couldn't wash dreads?
A. Synthetic dreads can be shampooed as normal hair.

Q. Will they untwist when I shampoo?
A. No. Not one bit. Not even an issue.

Thanks!

meow85 said:

Glad to help!

i always thought those were funky


wtf is a dread perm?

Can they attach directly to a scalp? You know... where no hair grows?

The girl in the photo is obviously a graver. Is that the look you're going for with goggles and stuff?

sextonseven said:

What's a graver?

I love the look of the girl .
But I don't like the eye make-up.
[Edited 2/23/09 18:02pm]

sammij said:

I wondered the same thing. Here it is...

Dread perming is a chemical treatment that is used by beauty salons to create or maintain dreadlocks. The hair is exposed to chemicals that render the hair frizzy. The frizzy hair is bound together and treated again to form the dreadlocks.

Dread perms usually cost in the range of $300-400, and although pricey, often prove to be the easiest and most professional way of creating dreadlocks. The process can take upwards of six hours to complete, with maintenance appointments being around two hours long and pricey at upwards of $200. The process works especially well on hair that will not naturally dread, especially caucasian hair. This method requires no use of waxes or palm rolling the hair. A regular six month appointment is all the maintenance required, although tightening sprays are beneficial in the meantime.

The dread perming technique begins with at least 6 inches of hair. The hair is then separated into appropriately sized dreadlock sections. Each individual section is then backcombed, or teased, to knot the hair and create a loose dreadlock form. After each section resembles a loose dreadlock, the sections are then rolled onto curlers, to help ensure even distribution of the perming chemicals.

Once the chemicals are applied to the hair, each strand of hair begins to swell. This swelling causes the hair to forget its' original form. The hair then begins to shrink back to its' normal size, permanently taking on the shape the hair is currently in.

Dreadlocks created with a dread perm at first look somewhat silly and extremely curly, due to the hair being put into curlers while permed. However, a natural look begins to occur a few months later when the hair loosens somewhat. Within the timespan of about a year, dread-permed dreadlocks will look nearly indistinguishable from naturally grown dreadlocks.

EmeraldSkies said:

that's too much trouble

and what is that really doing to your hair anyway?

ThreadBare said:

I would'nt think so.

Serious said:

A goth-raver, cyber-kid.

EmeraldSkies said:

ThreadBare said:

sammij said:

Probably end up making you bald eventually. But the same goes for to much of any kind of chemical treatments to the hair.

EmeraldSkies said:

What are the tins on her head for

EmeraldSkies said:

the only thing i regret doing to my locs is bleaching some in order to dye them

EmeraldSkies said:

ThreadBare said:

....buy a wig?

sammij said:

ocean said:

They look like fancy cyber goggles to me. Not all of them are meant to see out of. Here's a similar one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/cyber...1|294%3A50

Gravers are funny.

sextonseven said:

oh

sextonseven said:

they look like busters

ThreadBare said:

They do have dread wigs.
[Edited 2/23/09 18:40pm]

sammij said:

yeah I use to perm,and color my hair to much,and then I read that by doing that you could make your hair turn green. I don't do that anymore.