Coloring And Dreadlocks Extensions

Coloring and dreadlocks extensions is the latest trend to hit

the natural hair community following the innovative styling that reigned for a while.  In the past, social norms dictated that people with textured hair risked ridicule wearing other colors.  Today, that stand has been revised with many opting to add a spark to their look!

When it comes to coloring and dreadlocks extensions, I have found that asking the right questions is required.  If you fail to do this, a color service could end up testing your sanity.  For hairstylists that offer coloring and dreadlocks extensions services, you need to ask the following questions before the service:

• Is it your first time coloring your dreads/locs?
• What colors have you used on your dreads/locs before?
• How long ago did you color your dreads/locs?
• Do you have extensions on your dreads/locs?
• Are your dreads/locs made with human or synthetic hair?

Many of you will scoff at asking these questions but it will save you, especially for the

question:  do you have extensions on your dreads/locs?  I cannot tell you the amount of times people with extensions blending so well with their natural hair have confounded me!  I mostly detect the extensions if the method for maintenance is palm rolling or crochet.  When the maintenance method is interlocking, it is hard to feel the point when the extension was added because the hair is so bumpy.  

Often, the client has had the extensions on their dreads/locs for years.  They will not

remember to tell you they have extensions so you have to ask.  If they choose to have the dreads/locs colored, you need to have this information to help with your color formula.  If you fail to do this, these are some of the problems you may have:

1. If the color requires lifting the hair first, the natural hair will usually get lighter faster than the extension.
2. The extension will only lift to certain levels based on whether your extensions are made from human or synthetic hair.  
3. In some cases, lightening the hair will cause it to snap off at the ends or develop holes in the extension.  This may not happen the same day but in the coming months.
4. Booking the time for coloring and dreadlocks extensions is difficult because you have no idea when all the extensions will arrive at the same color.

The color technician should inform clients that very blond or white colors will still have a

dark undertone in spots.  This happens because the layers of hair do not all lighten at once.  Trying to get all the layers to white will destroy the dreads/locs eventually. If the desired color is very blond or white, the client should consider getting extensions in that shade.

It is fun to experience coloring and dreadlocks extensions as long as the quality of hair used is high and the client understands there can be challenges along the way. 

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books”  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.