✨ Ready Set Dread ✨
You’ve ordered and received your double—ended dreadlocks from Dreadful Wildwood Locs, now prepare for MAGIC! First things first, give them a gentle cool water rinse. You can add 1 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar to your cool water if you have a sensitive scalp. This will help eliminate any leftover chemicals lingering on your locs.
⚠️ Never use hot water!
These locs are sealed with hot steam, and heat can loosen their form to the point of ruin. Let your locs soak for about 10 minutes before removing them from their bath, then run under cool water to rinse. After rinsing, let them drip dry or press softly with a microfiber towel.
🌙 Prepare for Install
Gather your tools ahead of time so the magic flows smoothly:
Elastics or a string to secure ends
A comb (I prefer a Rat Tail Comb for easier sectioning)
A spray bottle of water (for light misting, not sopping wet)
Clips or hair ties for sectioning
A mirror or two (to check the back)
A self-install may take a few hours, but each time gets easier and faster!
🌙 Braid Install Guide
Before you begin:
Make sure your hair is clean, dry, and product-free.
Section your hair neatly (no one’s perfect!)
Step by step:
Lightly mist each section with water to tame flyaways and pesky baby hairs.
Take a section of your natural hair and split it horizontally into 2 pieces.
Place the middle or slightly off-center of your double-ended dreadlock at the root, between those two pieces.
Use a clip to secure the top portion of the dreadlock if the piece hanging over your head gets in your way!
Take your 2 pieces of natural hair and criss-cross them over the bottom section of the dreadlock hanging down.
Repeat 2 more times (total of 3 criss-crosses with your natural hair.
Now bring the top piece of the dreadlock off the top of your head and place it between your two natural hair pieces.
The bottom section is no longer needed! Focus on your 2 sections of natural hair and the top section of your dreadlock.
Now you have 3 strands (2 natural hair sections + 1 dreadlock).
Begin braiding these 3 together just like you would have as a kid.
Braid down snugly (but not too tight—over-tightening can cause irritation, bumps, or hair loss).
Be sure each section has enough hair to support the loc. If your hair is very fine, skip the delicate hairline and work with slightly larger sections throughout the head.
Secure the ends with elastics or thread (use 2 if needed to keep your natural ends tucked in).
🌿 It may take a little experimenting at first, don’t get discouraged!
🌿 Dread Maturing 🌿
Maturing is the magical process where your synthetic hair fibers begin to interlock and settle over time. After a few weeks or months of wear, your locs will transform from their smooth, freshly-made look into a more natural, lived-in style—just like real locs. ✨
The more you wear them (and the rougher your adventures), the faster they’ll mature! This is a beautiful part of the journey, as your locs truly become your own.
🔮 Twisted Locs
These locs mature the most, softening and expanding slightly from their original tightness.
They will never unravel—but I do not recommend re-sealing them, as this can damage their structure.
You may notice them sticking together—just hold the loc firmly and gently pop them apart with your fingers.
Use a palm roll to smooth fibers back in. This usually only happens at the beginning; once matured, they become very durable!
🌊 Wavy Locs
Made of loose hair bundles that intentionally mat/lock over time.
Require the most care early on: separate each loc 1–2 times daily in the beginning (typically the first 2-3 weeks).
To separate: gently run your fingers around (not through) the wavy bundle.
Mist with water to help it bind back together, and palm roll if needed.
Maintenance will decrease as they mature.
You may use a scalp oil (like DollyLocks) or just water, but avoid oils on the elastic bands—they’ll lose their hold and/or snap.
✨ Other Styles
Accent styles: Braids, Ropes, Wilwood Braids are all made with OPEN ends. You can GENTLY brush these out by holding where the loose hair begins tightly and brushing through them, or you can allow them to self-dread on their own and leave them alone. Completely up to you!
🌙 General Tips
Avoid textured surfaces that can snag fibers while maturing. Otherwise, you may end up with a little bit of a mess.
Loose ends can be left alone to naturally lock, or lightly brushed (hold the loc firmly at the base when brushing).
🌿 Maturing is where the magic happens—embrace it! Your locs are finding their shape, becoming softer, stronger, and uniquely yours.
💧 Wash Days💧
Finding your wash rhythm is a personal journey—everyone’s scalp is different! The goal is to keep your scalp clean and happy without overwashing.
✨ Wash too often → roots tangle faster, meaning sooner removal.
✨ Wash too little → scalp itching, which can cause shedding from constant scratching.
🌿 Start with every 4–5 days if your scalp needs it, and stretch to 7–9 days once it adjusts.
🚫 Avoid Build-Up
Skip heavy products (conditioners, masks, dry shampoo). These cause itchiness and make removal harder.
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup.
Add a drop of oil (I prefer Dollylocs) to soothe itching and stretch time between washes.
Or mix a splash of apple cider vinegar into shampoo (without oils) to help balance scalp pH.
🌀 How to Wash Your Hair with Locs
Section locs into 4 parts – top bun, two sides, and back. (For wavies: separate while dry first).
Run one section at a time under warm water.
Massage shampoo into your scalp with fingertips (not nails).
Wash each section twice, rinse thoroughly.
Rest locs on your shoulders while rinsing—they get heavy!
Wash in the morning so they’re fully dry before bed.
🌙 Washing the Locs Themselves
You don’t have to wash the locs every time you remove them, but refreshing them keeps them light and fresh.
ACV Bath Method:
Fill sink with cold water + ¼ cup apple cider vinegar + 1 tbsp baking soda.
Soak & squeeze locs gently for 1 min, then let sit 10–15 mins.
Rinse well.
Optionally, repeat with clarifying shampoo for extra freshness.
Drying:
Gently towel squeeze (use a clean towel, not your body towel).
Lay flat or hang straight to dry (they’ll keep the shape you leave them in!).
Blow dry only on COLD. ⚠️ Do not blow-dry wavies.
Put a towel underneath if dripping.
🌿 Maintenance & Removal 🌿
I recommend maintaining or removing your locs every 4–6 weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows. This keeps your scalp happy, prevents excess tangling, and makes re-installs much smoother.
✨ Maintenance = Removing extensions one by one, brushing each piece out, and instantly re-installing.
✨ Removal / Re-Install = Removing all locs, shampooing/detoxing your natural hair and the extensions, and then installing fresh.🌙 Why Timing Matters
Leaving locs in longer than 6 weeks can cause your natural hair to start matting.
We shed 50–100 hairs every day—which means after 4 weeks, you’ve shed 2,000+ strands.
These shed hairs stay braided in, and combined with new growth (about ½ inch a month), they can knot up at the root if left too long.
This makes brushing out harder and may cause extra shedding.
🌸 How to Remove Your Locs
Wash your locs 2–3 days before removal.
Remove them while your hair is dry (wet hair is fragile). Light mist if needed.
Snip elastics—never pull them off.
Unravel each braid gently.
Brush your hair out completely before showering (water will tighten tangles).
Wash your natural hair twice in the shower.
Refresh your locs with an ACV bath (apple cider vinegar + baking soda soak).
Dry them fully—then re-install!
🌿 Think of this process as your locs breathing—just like nature cycles through growth and rest, your hair and extensions need time to reset before glowing again. ✨
