With so many people reusing their dread/locs, I thought it would be helpful
to do a guide to dread extensions from existing dreads. Many people have their dreads/locs cut for reasons such work, medical emergencies or boredom but they come back because they miss the freedom and spiritual connection!
I once had a client who asked me to cut his dread/locs, after I had restored his hair to its former glory.
I asked why he had not told me this in the beginning but he was insistent and I did as requested. After the cut, he then asked me to add them to the shorter parts of his hair as extensions. Imagine his surprise when I told him it would have to be at another time as I had only booked him for a maintenance appointment. Certain services require longer times, being clear when taking an appointment is essential.
If you plan on reusing your cut hair, this is your guide to dread extensions from existing dreads:
- Hair should be clean and dry.
- If the dread/locs were stored for a long time, they should be washed again and one hundred percent dried before being put on.
- hair is to be free from lint, gels, dandruff etc.
- sorted in bundles according to length.
- the area that was cut should be combed out about an inch and a half length similar to bought extensions.
- your hair should be at least 3-4 inches in length for 4C hair or 5-6 inches for straight or wavy hair.
- Your hair should also be clean and dry.
- If your dreads/locs were straggly or thin, consider starting the process over with your current hair.
Some of the things that I just listed may seem mundane but as stylists we like to manage our expectations.


Call (613) 789-2179 For An Appointment If You Are In The Ottawa, Ontario Area.
Also, some of the points in the guide to dread extension from existing dreads are for saving time. If the loctician spends a lot of time loosening the hair for the attachment and figuring out which dread/loc will fit where, the price will skyrocket.
By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design
Books: “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.
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