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"seeing as the quinn link isn't as obvious on here as it is from EZboard, I thought I'd compile a quick maintenance guide to lessen the repetitive questions. If mods think it is worthy, I think it would serve well as a sticky.
1. Info. on differences between handmade and Elysees
2. Sleeping
3. Washing
4. Painful Scalp
5. Fuzzy dreads
6. Pokies
7. Itching
8. Dreads that unravel
9. Taking out your dreads
1. Info. on differences between handmade and Elysees.
Size
Elysee Star dreads are manufactured dreads that you can buy from http://www.afrocare.com among other places.
Elysees are all 24" long and quite thin. Handmade dreads tend to be thicker, and you have the choice of how long you want them, and in a lot of cases, how thick you want them.
In the past, people have tried cutting elysee's, and i think they have succeeded. If you want to have a go, then I suggest you practise on one dread and see how it turns out. Also, you cannot specify the exact colours and effects you want with Elysees, as you can with handmade. Although the range of Elysees now offered is pretty large, so most people would be able to find something to suit.
Quality
Elysees are by far of lesser quality than (most) handmade dreads. Elysees will unravel fast, and get very fuzzy very soon. Handmade dreads are a lot more durable in general.
Re-Using
Most handmade dreads can be taken out, washed and put back in. Although this is possible with Elysees, they do not uphold to the same standards that handmade dreads do.
So why pick Elysees at all?
Because they are a bit cheaper than handmade, and you dont have to wait for them to be made. You can have your elysees in your hair about 4days after ordering them. Other than that, I cant think of any more good points.
2. Sleeping
Dreads can be uncomfortable to sleep in (unless you have roving which is the bestest for sleeping). They can also get a bit mangled when you sleep. This is mostly true for Elysees. Handmade dreads (in my experience) tend to hold up fine. Some people will tie up their dreads when they sleep, and/or cover them in a scarf or similar. This helps reduce the amount of fuzz you get on your dreads. this also applies to braids, and anything you have on your head that you want to keep looking sleek.
3. Washing
Personally, I don't wash my hair when I have dreads in. But you can. Dont wash it like you would wash your normal hair. Best thing to do is, just run some warm water over your scalp (not the extensions themselves. If they get saturated with water, they will be *very* heavy and kill your scalp, not to mention taking a year to dry). If you want to use soap/shampoo, then dilute some first, and do the same with that. If you use soap/shampoo, make *sure* you rinse your hair *thoroughly* after. If you dont, the soap can dry out and leave nasty white flakes on your scalp. To keep your extensions safe, out a plastic bag over your head (very becomming) or tie it up if you are havign a bath.
4. Painful Scalp
For the first week you have extensions (especially if it's your first set) your scalp will feel very tight and sore. You may get headaches from it (I know I do). After the first week, your hair has grown a little and so it won't feel as tight anymore, plus you will be more used to the extra weight. You may find you get little red bumps on your scalp around the edges of the sections. this is normal. It is just where your hair is being pulled by the dread, and they should go as soon as you take the dreads out. Often, you will get a lot of them in the first week, adn most will go after that (because of the hair growing thing). If you are worried abuot your extensions, then wait until you have had them in for a week before doing anything about it. Most things go away or get a lot better in this time.
5. Fuzzy dreads
Again, this is an issue that mainly comes up with Elysee stars. To get rid of the fuzz, or minimise it, consider wearing a scarf over your dreads when you sleep. You can also just get a pair of scissors and snip of the worst bits. This is maybe a method for the more relentless of you. I know I am always hacking up my hair/dreads with no regard for what may happen, to make sure they look nice.
6. Pokies
Pokies are where your natural hair sticks out of the braid. Mostly, they occur where the elastic is. I just snip mine off. It doesnt make all that much difference to your hair after if it is only a little bit. You can also use thread/more elastics to hold down pokies. If you are snipping pokies in the braid (not at the end where the elastic is) then dont cut it right next to the dread. Leave a bit poking out, so it doesnt just slip through to the other side as soon as you let go.
7. Itching
Dreads are itchy. Thats all there is to say really. Even sleek dreads/roving/whatever are itchy. Every kind of extension i have ever had have been itchy. Its something you can't really get away from. You can try to minimise it by using various oils. I have never tried any personally. Tea tree and rosemary (i think) are meant to be quite good. My best tip in this topic is: Use the spiky end of your rat-tail comb to get to itches you cant reach Wink
8. Dreads that unravel
Yet again, this is mostly a problem that occurs with Elysees. The scarf-over-head-while-sleeping method might help. If the unraveling is annoying you, you can try to re-seal them using steam; either from a kettle, steamer, saucepan of boiling water...use your imagination. Careful of your fingers when you do it. Just twist the dread, and hold it over the steam for a few seconds. You can do this while they are attached to your head. If you have takent the dreads out and want to re-seal them, then I have heard putting them in the washing machine helps tighten them up.
Quote:
Just to add to that, I've found a quick ix for unravelling Elysee Stars..
Basically hold one end tight (I have a high bed end so I put them in between by belly and the end of the bed so I have 2 free hands) and with another twist the dread and then hold it twisted at the very end.
Get a very powerful hairdryer and aim it about an inch or so away from the dread. turn on the hairdryer and move it non-stop up and down the dread (turning the dread over as well) for about 20-30seconds. This seems to hold them for a while, plus makes it easier to trim of frizzys and fly-aways!
9. Taking out your dreads
When you take out your dreads, you will appear to loose all your hair. You shed 100 hairs a day on average. Now imagine you have your dreads in 30 days. Thats 3000 hairs all tied up waiting to fall out. Don't get worried. It is normal. Only worry if you look at your hair after and see big bald bits. Take your dreads out one by one, combing each bit of hair through as you go. When all of them are taken out, wash your hair *carefully*. Use a powerful conditioner if you can, and condition it as many times as you feel is necessary. I usually do it 2 or 3 times, as well as leaving a bit on after I have got out of the shower. Personally I don't blow dry or straighten my hair (not that i ever straighten my hair) at all in the first few days after i take out extensions. But thats is just down to personal preference.
I'm very bored of typing now. I hope this has answered some questions
Abi x"
Edited by MissAnthropik to change the title so that this could become more of FAQ post