Dread
Extensions
Everything you need to know
Have short hair, but still want long dreads? Keen on a cheeky wee few that are super easy to maintain? Or perhaps you’re after a temporary pop of style and colour in straight or dreaded hair?
Extensions are a fabulous way to add temporary or permanent length and volume to new or existing dreads. Just like natural dreads, they allow you full freedom to get up and go without the need to constantly maintain your hair. You can wash with them, swim with them - you name it. Welcome to your new hair.
Dread extensions do however come with some maintenance needs. If your extensions are permanently installed, you’ll need maintenance on your roots as well as on the lengths. If you’ve gone for a temporary set, you’ll want to keep on top of those flyaways and keep an eye on unwanted root locking to minimise damage to your natural hair.
Your choice of materials makes all the difference in looks, feel, durability, weight, maintenance, and more, so it’s important to find the right extension type for your life and style.
After installation, you may experience some discomfort on your scalp as it adjusts to the weight of your new hair. This is normal. However, we recommend seeing your loctician if your discomfort persists after one week.
At Coast Dread Company we are proud to stock organically handcrafted dreads from Dread Empire. Check out more detailed information on each type below, and click through to our colour charts to find your perfect match.
Human Hair
Human Hair is considered the premium choice when it comes to dread extensions, and represents an investment in your style.
These dreads are handcrafted using 100% Remy human hair and crochet and backcombing techniques, just like real dreads. This results in the most authentic look, feel, and performance that is achievable in dread extensions. It also means that your join will feel and appear seamless, provided that you have a good colour match.
Human hair extensions start out a little stiff - just like natural dreads they take time to mature and soften up. The hair (due to having gone through a sanitation process) also tends to be on the dry and prickly side. You can encourage healthy maturation by washing and wearing as normal, and by palm rolling with a suitable dread oil or balm to help keep the hair strands hydrated and your dreads tight and healthy. You’ll also want to visit your loctician for regular crochet maintenance, or ask them to show you how to do this yourself at home.
We do not hold stock of these stunning extensions in New Zealand, but rather place custom orders based on your perfect colour match to ensure you are happy with the final result. You’ll have seven days to return them if you’re not satisfied, so we will notify you as soon as they arrive.
Crocheted Synthetic
High quality Henlon/Monofibre synthetic hair dread extensions look realistic, are affordable, lightweight, soft, durable, and low-maintenance. What’s not to love?
Monofiber is a premium type of high heat synthetic fibre mainly used for wig making. It is silky and tough. It has a high heat resistance (120 degrees C plus), and will not shrink with heat.
These are great to use as temporaries (with a super quick installation time when added to existing dreads). Alternatively, they can be crocheted into your natural hair or existing dreads permanently. With a vast range of natural or exciting shades and colours available, crocheted synthetic extensions open up a world of possibility for dread-wearing: perfect for parties, festivals, or just a bit of fun!
Synthetic dreads have the lowest level of maintenance on the lengths. Some strands may become loose and need trimming, but hairs will not escape from the lengths as per human hair.
We have a small range of crocheted and semi-crocheted synthetic dread extensions available in our studio. However, as the colour range is vast, we are also happy to make a custom order to ensure you get the dreads you dreamed of.
Woollen
The softest, lightest, and most flexible type of extension available, woollen extensions feature lumps and bumps just like real dreads.
As these are hand made from merino wool, their thickness varies across the range, and they have a characteristic wavy and felted appearance. This sets them apart from crocheted options which to some may appear “too perfect”.
The natural fibres of merino wool are great for those with super sensitive skin, or for anyone who wants a particularly soft and supple extension. As these do feel and look different to natural dreads, most people use woollen dread extensions as a temporary addition to their natural hair or existing dreads. However, they can be crocheted into existing dreads to add permanent volume, length, or texture.
One thing to note is that woollen extensions do hold water well. They become heavy when wet, and it’s important to keep them dry and hydrated so that they last a long time. Wash no more than once a week unless absolutely necessary, and hydrate with a conditioning, wool-safe oil blend.
When cared for correctly, woollen dread extensions will last indefinitely and can be a great addition to your festival kit.