This style of locs requires investment not just in the initial purchase - but also in the time, effort, and products needed to keep them looking beautiful for as long as possible.
The dreadlocked section and the loose ends have to be cared for in different ways and with different products - this is not a low maintenance style!
❤ Wash your hair once per week. For the dreadlocked section you need to be using a residue free shampoo designed specifically for locs. I recommend Raw Roots. For your loose ends you need to use a high quality professional range of shampoo and conditioner. I recommend Healing Smooth Glossifying range from Lanza or Moist Repair by KMS.
❤ Always wash in the morning and make sure your hair is fully dry before bed to avoid dread rot. The end of the dreadlocked section contains hidden weft in order to make this style shed resistant so it is incredibly important to have fully dried hair before bed and keep your locs dry between wash days; invest in a shower cap, swim cap, and always have a rain hood or umbrella on you.
❤ Use a microfibre towel to dry your hair on wash days. I recommend to wrap them for half an hour after washing. Microfibre absorbs more water and wont leave lint in your locs.
❤ Palm roll your locs on wash days after towel drying but while still a little damp. As you palm roll each loc you will also need to carefully comb out each loose end, from the bottom upwards. I highly suggest leave in conditioner and detangler to be used at this stage. I use Wella Ultimate Repair, KMS Moist Repair Leave In Conditioner, and Milkshake Whipped Cream.
❤ Wear a shower cap on non wash days.
❤ Brush your ends daily using a boar bristle hair extension brush. Moisturise them daily with oils, serums, etc as the natural oild produced by your head wont reach the loose ends and help to keep them healthy. I personally use Lanza Neem Plant Silk Serum, Smile Serum from Happy Dreads, and Raw Roots Hydrating Oil.
❤ For bed sleep in braids, all the way down the loose ends and secured with a satin hair tie. Use a satin night bonnet or pillow case to help avoid unneccessary frizz or tangling.
❤ Heat is damaging! Always use a heat protectant on your ends (I recommend Lanza) and always use a heat setting below 180 - 120 should be enough. Your ends will dry naturally wavy anyway so it's best to avoid heat styling often.
❤ Chlorine and saltwater are drying and damaging to hair extensions. Tie your hair up out of the way or use a swim cap. Where you can't avoid soaking them I suggest to soak your hair fully in clean water first - this will help prevent your hair absorbing the chlorine or salt water - and then rinse really well afterwards.
❤ If your ends are feeling dry use K18 to help reverse this.
As with any type of hair extensions we can't expect them to last forever - but a good care routine will make a huge difference to the lifespan and allow you to enjoy your long goddess locs for as long as possible!