DE and SE dreadlock extensions are braided into your own hair with a temporary method. It takes 1 to 3 hours, you wear them for 1.5–2 months, and then they come out easily without harming your hair. Here is how the installation works, what to do in the first days, which mistake to avoid and how to take the dreads out.
DE and SE: How Each Format Is Attached
- DE (double ended): one base and two ends. The dread has no loop. It is folded over a thin braid made from your own hair, so one piece gives you two dreads.
- SE (single ended): one base and one end, with a loop at the top. A strand of your hair goes through the loop, is split into two parts, and these parts braid around the dread.
More on choosing between them: the difference between SE and DE dreads. You can also browse DE dreads and SE dreads in the shop.
Before the Installation
- Your hair should be at least 7 cm long.
- Wash your hair before the installation without conditioner, masks or lotions. They make the hair slippery, and the braids hold worse.
- It is better if the ends of your hair are not cut perfectly straight. Then the dreads are quicker to attach.
- Work out how many dreads you need with the dread calculator.
More tips are in our guide on how to prepare for dreadlock installation.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Set?
From 1 to 3 hours. It depends on the area: a partial install on the back of the head is quicker, a full head takes longer.
How DE and SE Dreads Are Braided In
We use two methods in the studio:
- The classic braid-in (half figure-eight). A simple, reliable way to attach both DE and SE dreads.
- The Scandinavian (French) braid-in. It gives a tighter, flatter base that sits closer to the scalp. The tension is spread more evenly, and the roots look neater.
Which method suits you depends on your hair type and the look you want. Both methods are shown step by step, for DE and for SE, in our braid-in installation course.
The First Days After Installation
You do not need to do anything special. If your scalp itches, you can apply a soothing scalp product or spray the scalp with an antiseptic.
The most important rule, both with extensions and with natural dreads: never scratch your scalp with your nails. If it itches badly, gently massage it with your fingertips. Nails injure the skin.
The Most Common Mistake: Going to Bed with Wet Hair
DE and SE dreads are attached to a braid of your own hair, and this braid must be completely dry before you go to sleep. So do not wash your hair in the evening and go to bed with a wet head. Wash in the morning or leave enough time for drying.
Two more mistakes to avoid:
- Conditioner. With conditioner, the braid that holds the dread comes undone faster than usual.
- Wearing the set too long. More on this below.
How to Wash Braided-In Dreads
Wash once a week. Dilute the shampoo with water at 1:5 and wash only the scalp. Do not use conditioner. Then dry the braids at the roots thoroughly. More tips are in our guide on washing temporary dreadlocks.
How Long You Can Wear Them
The recommended time is 1.5–2 months. If you wear the dreads longer than two months, your own hair in the braid that holds the dread can start to felt into the dread. Then unbraiding it becomes much harder.
How to Take DE and SE Dreads Out
Removing them is very easy. Unbraid the braid that holds the dread, and the dread comes out. If you kept to the recommended 1.5–2 months, everything comes out without problems.
After removal, the set can be installed again. A set usually lasts 2–3 installations. See also: can I reuse my synthetic dreadlocks.
