F.A.Q.’s
Where are you based?
I live on a narrow boat and continually cruise on the Kennet & Avon canal between Devizes and Bath. I cover these areas and Bristol. You can come to see me on my boat or I can travel to you if you cannot get to me. I am happy to travel within a 60 minute radius of my boat if you cannot get to me. This changes depending on where I am moored so please contact me for more info and a chat. I am also happy to travel within a 30 minute drive of the BS5 postcode area in Bristol on the weeks I am working in that area.
How much does it cost?
Please follow the link to my Price List
What method do you use to create dreadlocks?
I use the backcomb and crochet method to create dreadlocks. This is a quick and neat way of starting new dreads so your dreads will look nice from day one. I have tried various other methods in my own hair and this is by far the best way of starting dreads off and works on ALL hair types. I have trained in the Seienstyle method of dread creation and maintenance as well as Elemental Locks. I combine various techniques from these schools with what I have taught myself over the years to create sublime dreads that mature quickly.
Follow along as I transform my clients hair and create half a head of new dreads with custom made extensions.
A cheeky close up of what is happening while I maintain my clients dreads.
How long does my hair have to be?
Your hair needs to be at least 4 inches to be dreaded and to have extensions added.
How much length hair will I lose?
You can loose a few inches in the dreading process, especially if you decide to have blunted ends on your dreads. As your hair locks up you can lose a good couple of inches more. If you palm roll and have regular maintenance you will have less shrinkage.
If you are concerned about shrinkage and don't want to loose any length then I advise you to consider having human hair dread extensions added. This can be done at the time of creation or at a later date.
Why do I not guarantee the total number of dreads you will end up with?
There are so many variables when creating dreadlocks. The amount of dreads I can create depends on how thick your hair is, whether you have lots of hair or fine hair and how thick you want your new dreads to be. I always create dreads so that they are correct for your hair type and have good sectioning and coverage. If the sections are too large then you can end up with tension and sore spots where random hairs get pulled by the weight of the dreads. If your sections are too small the roots can thin and eventually your dreads might snap off. I always endeavour to create dreadlocks that will mature and grow well and be a comfortable hairstyle for you to wear.
What is the difference between wispy ends and blunted ends?
Wispy ends are where the hair at the end of the dreads is left loose. With blunted ends the hair at the end of the dreads is tucked backed up into the body of the dread and crocheted in place. If you are having permanent extensions fitted you can also have luxury ends.
Wispy Ends
Blunt Ends
Luxury Ends
Do I need to do anything to my hair before you can dread it?
Please ensure that your hair is clean, dry and brushed. You can wash it the day before with residue free soap. If you don’t have any, then washing up liquid will do.
Please check out my page How to prepare for your appointment for more details.
Can I wash my dreads?
Yes you can. You need to use residue free dreadlock shampoo that you can buy on line. Do not use conditioner on them. It is better to wash your hair in the morning so you have enough time to dry them throughout the day. Dreads can take a long time to dry and if you do not dry them properly they will start to smell….YUK!
Please refer to my page How to look after your dreads for more information on washing your dreads and what shampoos to use.
I have dandruff what can I do to help it?
Although it is always better to wash your dreads with a dreadlock shampoo if you have persistent dandruff then you can safely use a dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders. You just need to make sure that you rinse your dreadlocks really well after every wash
Can I dye my dreads?
Yes you can, but you will need a lot more hair dye. If you have not had your hair dreaded yet then it would be easier for you to dye your hair first to ensure an even coverage. If your hair is already dreaded then take your time to gently squeeze the hair dye into each dread. You need to make sure that you wash out all of the dye properly to prevent even more damage to your dreads. It is a good idea to wash your hair the day after you dye it to ensure you have removed any residue. Be extra careful with bleach as it will weaken your dreads and can cause them to start breaking off. Do not condition your dreads after dying them. You can moisturise them with the Raw Roots Hydrating Oil (you can purchase this from me), pure Argon oil or pure Aloe Vera gel if they feel dry.
Should I use products like wax in my dreads?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Don’t do it. Wax does not help your dreads lock up any quicker and can actually hinder the process. It can make your dreads harder to keep clean and smell bad. Your hair will lock up on its own over time but some hair types locks better than others. If your hair is taking a while to lock up you can use products such as locking powder and some natural locking gels and salt sprays to help them lock up. I advise that you use these products sparingly and make sure what you are using is suitable for your hair type and wont leave any residue due to the type of water you have in your area. I stock a variety of Raw Roots products in my studio that can help with the locking process and frizzies. If you feel like you want to use any of them on your dreads please message me for a chat.
How do I maintain my dreadlocks?
Your dreadlocks will need quite a lot of maintenance at the beginning to help them lock up. You will need to palm roll and root rub them regularly. You can find videos on how to do this on my YouTube channel. After a settling in period of a few weeks you will need to wash your dreads regularly with a residue free shampoo. I recommend that you come back for an epic tidy at least 8 weeks after you first have your dreads created. If you you have a root tie in you do not need to root rub.
Please refer to my page How to look after your dreads for more information on maintaining your dreads.
My hair has been recently dreaded and it’s REALLY itchy. Why? How can I stop this?
The itching is part of the process I am afraid. It will get better. It is probably caused by your hair being parted in ways in which it is not used to. You can find more information on how to deal with this on my page How to look after your dreads
I have just had new dreads created/my dreads maintained and my head is sore, is this normal?
This is perfectly normal, don't worry. Its quite a big process to have dreads created and maintained. It involves a lot of pulling of your hair to get it to dread or to tidy your existing dreads. I try to be as gentle as possible but your head will feel a bit tender afterwards. This will subside after a couple of days. You can always take some painkillers if you are finding it really uncomfortable.
What if I don’t like my dreads, can I remove them?
Dreads are a permanent hair style. If you are not sure if you will like them then I highly recommend that you have some temporary dreadlocks installed to see if you like them. You can remove dreadlocks but it takes ages, is fiddly and can hurt!
Where can I buy hair for permanent dread extensions?
I have several trusted suppliers that I use to purchase hair for extensions and like to purchase the hair myself. This is so I can guarantee the quality of the hair.
How long do human hair extensions last for?
If you buy good quality hair and look after it, they should last for several years. They will need regular maintenance especially if you have bleached hair. They may feel/become dry so its good to oil them with a hydrating oil for dreads when you wash them. I stock a divine Raw Roots Hydrating oil here in the studio or you can use pure Argon oil or pure Aloe Vera gel.
Can you install synthetic dreads? If so how long does my hair have to be and how long do they last?
Yes, I can install synthetic dreads. Your hair will need to be a minimum of 4 inches long all over. They can stay in for up to three months. Then you should remove them and let your hair have a rest before having them re-installed.
Where can I get synthetic dreads from and how many will I need?
I do not make synthetic dreads myself. There are also lots of beautiful sets that you can purchase on Etsy. You can even get them custom made. If you are after synthetic hair dreads I recommend Two Dots Hair They make beautiful locs and can even make you a custom set.
You will need a minimum of 40 dreads for a whole head of dreads. If you want to have a fuller look you will need more.
How do I maintain my synthetic dreads?
You will need to wash them with residue free shampoo. When you have taken them out I recommend giving them another wash in cool water and letting them dry thoroughly so they can be stored in a clean state.
Do you travel to appointments?
Yes. I currently cover Bristol, North Somerset, Bath and Wiltshire. I am happy to travel within a 60 minute radius of my boat. This changes depending on where I am moored so please contact me for more info and a chat. I am also happy to travel within a 30 minute drive of the BS5 postcode area in Bristol on the weeks I am working in that area.
What days do you work?
I am first and foremost mum to my beautiful son and I work around his needs and my health requirements. Because of this I work part-time and offer appointments on the following days:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
How do I book an appointment?
Please message me through my Facebook page or email me
I require a 50% non refundable deposit to secure your appointment. We will discuss this at the time of booking.
How long will the appointment be?
The length of your appointment will depend on what you are having done. These timings are based on a full head of dreads being worked on.
Dread rescuing- up to 6 hours
Root to tip tidy - up to 5 hours
Roots only - up to 3 hours
Full head dread install – Allow a minimum of 7 hours. Because of this your appointment will need to be over 2 days during the week.
Synthetic dread installation - Full head - up to 4 hours
Partial head - up to 2 hours
What do I if I need to cancel or rearrange and appointment?
You need to give me a minimum of 14 days’ notice if you want to cancel or rearrange your appointment. Please contact me via my Facebook page or email me if you need to let me know of any changes. Please see my Terms and Conditions for more information on my cancellation and rescheduling policies.
Can I bring a friend/relative/dog with me while I get my hair dreaded?
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring someone with you while you get your hair done. You can even bring your dog as long as they are house trained and wont try and eat my cat. If you are bringing someone or a fluffy friend can you please let me know.
I am breast feeding my baby/I don’t have childcare, can I bring my child to my appointment?
Babies and older children are more than welcome to come along to your appointment. Please bring things to keep your child/children entertained during your appointment. If the appointment takes longer due to needing to care for your child you will need to pay for the extra time at the rate of £35 per hour.
Sadly my studio is not toddler friendly. I stock lots of beads and dread products and I don't want them to be touched by sticky little fingers! I would also be concerned about your child putting small beads in their mouth that will be a choking hazard.
Will you create or maintain dreadlocks on my child’s hair?
I am happy to work with children as long as they understand that having dreadlocks created and maintained will hurt. I advise that you give your child some painkillers before their appointment and bring some with along with you in case they are struggling while I carry out the work. It is normally better to create dreads over a series of shorter appointments for younger children. If your child is coming to an appointment and they are under the age of 16 they must be accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 18. You will need to bring things to keep your child entertained during the appointment.
Can I bring work to do while you create or maintain my hair?
Absolutely. I am happy for you to work or study while I work on your hair. I have wifi and you are welcome to login to my network as the internet and phone signal in my studio isn't very good on some networks.
What happens if I get head lice?
Don’t panic!! There are several different methods you can try to get rid of head lice without resorting to that stinky old shampoo that you get from the chemist. But if all else fails - reach for the stinky shampoo. My son and I have both had headlice a few times and have great success in treating them with over the counter headlice shampoo. I have found that Hedrin Once Gel is very effective as it kills the eggs as well as the lice.