How to Create Synthetic Dreadlocks

Make your own synthetic dreadlocks out of fake hair.

Dreadlocks are an eye-catching hairstyle, and brightly-colored ones even more so. If you don't want to bleach, dye or dread your own hair, you can simulate the look of real dreads with synthetic ones. Better yet, your fake dreads can be any color you want, thanks to plastic Kanekalon hair. Kanekalon rats like real hair but melts into a dreadlock shape when heated. Save yourself years of work by making artificial locks to wear whenever you want.

Things You'll Need

• String
• 2 chairs
• Kanekalon hair
• Teasing comb
• Clothing steamer

Instructions

1. Tie up a piece of string or elastic to hang your dreads from. Tying the string across two chair backs works well.

2. Pull off a 1-inch section of Kanekalon hair and fold it over the string.

3. Bring the two ends of the folded hair toward you, hold it taut and rat it with a teasing comb. Move the comb in short, rapid strokes from the ends of the hair to the roots. It will start to look fat and frizzy, like a new dreadlock.

4. Twist the dreadlock tight, starting from the top and working to the end. Steam the hair with a clothing steamer until it starts to melt and form the shape of a dreadlock. Repeat this process on every dreadlock you make.

5. Slip the dreads off the string and tie them to falls or into your natural hair.

References

• Quinnster: Dreads
• HairCrazy; How to Make Synthetic Dreads; March 2011
• Deviant Art: Synthetic Dread Tutorial

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Dreadlocks; How to make Synthetic Dreadlocks [video]; March 2006