05.03
Q. Are my brand-new nappy locks going to be presentable after just being done? Or is it a take-a-week-off-work type thing?
A. If you choose to use a good dreadlock wax to start them, your dreads will definitely be presentable the day after locking up. That’s what’s great about it – makes you look like you have dreads right away, even before it’s had a chance to start locking for real after a couple of weeks. Just try dreading one or two to make sure you like how they look, and then go for it!
If you chose to not use wax to start your locks, it really depends upon your method whether they’re going to look like anything for the next few months, other than loose, matted hair. It usually takes at least six months before neglect-method-locks start to look like locks unless you really work at them and keep them groomed, clean and on-track. Both methods work, but wax simply speeds it up when used properly.
Wax leaves nasty stuff in your dreads and slows the locking process…The only reason it’s popular is because some companies wanna make a buck of it.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
11 
4
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
5 
11
my mom finally approved of mine after about 10 months. try using a knit headband, or keeping bangs in the front. if possible, pony tail it! dreads are like a bonsai tree, you have to be patient
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
11 
1
It took mine only about a month before they were really presentable. but I was palm rolling dry straight fine hair with out the wax. The wax really helped tame the frizz makes them look amazing! I use knotty boy wax, it’s not to expensive and it last forever, but you can use other wax as long as it doesn’t have petroleum in it. (sorry bad speller?) good luck!
Hot debate. What do you think?
5 
4
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
3
I just started my dreds and I hate that they stick up every where..how long before they’re heavy enough to lay straight down n hang..id say they’re about 3in
Like or Dislike:
3 
3
I’ve had mine now for about 4 months now- can TOTALLY relate to the sticking up thing. I resorted to adding metal beads to the ones that stick up to weigh them down. My hair is just starting to lock up now. I use gel and try to retwist every couple of weeks after washing. Seems that my hair is growing and I would like to use the wax, but haven’t heard anything good about it.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
I’ve had my dreads for 4 years and use wax once a month since starting them and have had no problems once so ever. It really seems to help when my scalp gets really dry. I also bought it from the ethnic hair products section of a walmart, it isnt expensive and i truely see no reason to not use wax.
Like or Dislike:
1 
3
I use Dread Head wax it’s killer. I also have combined two small dreads to make one dope dreadlock thats just sicknesssssss! Get the dread head tool with latch and stab the fatter of the skinny ones at the tip in the center and shishka bob style stab directly in the center try not to go out side the dread stay in the center, if you poke out pull back in and then correct it till you get to the scalp. then latch the second skinny dread at the tip and pull the tool backwards. it will suck the second dread directly into the middle of the first dread thus creating a new fatt one sun!
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
Try growing dreadlocks together to create a lion claw dawg!
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
I have dreaded about 30 peoples hair and I never use wax. The dreads look like they have been there for about 6 months straight away. I use a very small crochet hook about 0.06m back comb the hair a bit and pull all the fuzzy ends in useing the hook. I swear by it you can use it to neaten them at the roots as they grow too. You do have to spend a little time on each dread but they genuinely look well taken instantly and will not fall loose. This method is used all over the world and makes the neatest locks. Go and buy a hook its cheap and you dont need to wake up with dreads stuck to your face
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
8 
0
I’ve had my dreads for almost 5 years now, but after 2 years they still weren’t what i’d call presentable (the main body was fine, but the roots and tips were still undreaded).
I started mine with beeswax initially, however spent the next few months or so washing my hair with hot water to flush out the wax slowly. Eventually, all wax was gone, and my dreads are now lovely and soft (no waxy/stickyness/itchness) This worked well (using wax ONCE and once only) as the dreads were initally held together, but then were allowed to work naturally eventually. It did take longer, and there was a decent period of messyness but the dreads themselves ended up being super tight and natted.
After 1-2 years of no real maintenance, my tips were ‘shot’. Lucylocks is right: GET A CROCHET HOOK!! I cant stress this enough! Again, this process takes a while (everything dready does!), but after a good 9-12hr sesh (dependant on how many/messy your dreads are) with the hook (research proper technique online!) all my tips were neat and rounded (I could even grab up those annying side-of, and back-of-head loose bits!)
I remeber reading many peoples posts back when I first natted my hair, about patience, patience, patience. I didnt believe it, but it’s just simply true! the bottom line: dreads have been the single most difficult patience game I have ever played! But just hang in there! they do actually look wicked eventually! lol
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
6 
1
i used pomade in my hair and its working just fine ive had them for two weeks so far and they dont stink no rez and theyre getting tighter by the day was is deffinatly used by companys for money
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i just started my dreads today…yea for me….i got them started with gel…is that a good method? and how long will it be til they start to lock?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Get a very small crochet hook, gel will clog up your hair and leave it covered in residue. The hook will make them neat and tight straight away and you can say they are totally natural with no nasty products.
Because I use the hook they are tight enough to wash once a week without them coming loose.
It is important to keep them clean and avoid wax or gels they eventually go hard and make the dreads look dirty and heavy (which can cause breakidge) Once they have been crochet’d they will always look good.
I am really surprised more people dont know about this it really is the only way to make dreads sucessfuly. The patience required really is only while you are making them then hey presto they look like tight neat lovely dreads from day one.
TRUST ME PEOPLE ITS TRUE
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
I just got dreads yesterday using mango and lime locking firm wax. They look pretty nice but the only thing is that they still look a little white. I dont want to wash them just yet but do you guys know of anyway to get the look of the wax out.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
Hiii Lucylocks!! I really like your idea of a small crochet hook. How exactly do I do that? Do I backcomb them still and then use a crochet hook at the end to twist? Sorry if I sound silly…I have had mine for a month now. The ends are locking up pretty well, but the top half looks matted. Even when I back comb and twist, they don’t “look” twisted. They are coming loose at the top. People recommend that I don’t keep using the wax or locking gel, so do you or anyone else have any techniques for twisting them and keeping the twist for more than 5 minutes after I backcomb and twist?
THANKS!!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I was dread for 8 years and i used wax. it leaves buildup in your hair especially that back of your hair where the back of your locks accumulate a lot of lint depending on the kind of clothes you wear. When i used wax on my hair my hair was all the way down my back i took one of my dreads and i could actually tear it in 2. then i saw that my hair had alot of build up. i ended up gettin frustrated and pulled my lock out. I lost alot of my hair but my hair is past my neck so I also saved more than I expected. I took my hair out in Dec 2008. Now yesterday I said Im gonna try it again but with out any wax or anything that has petroleum in it. I saw a gel that i said I would use and its all natural products. I twisted my hair yesterday and it stayed since my hair is natural I never permed when i took out my locks so it made it easier to start again….Tomorrow i will try the gel to make it look a lil bit neater. and this time keep my hair wrapped when i wear certain clothes….lol… and use the apple cider vinegar to wash my hear to remove all residue when my hair starts to dread….well ill let you guys know in a few months how it goes..this time im doin it my self the first time i dread I had it professionally done…..Ill keep u posted…..
Like or Dislike:
4 
1
I wanted to know If i just got dreads can i leave my hair in chiney bumps until my dreads mature.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey I just got my hair dreaded using a chemical method. I didn’t know they would do this so I’m not very happy! Now they are tiny!! And bumpy where the string was holding them. They told me not to wash for 2 weeks but the smel is awful! Will they start looking ok once I wash them? Or should I bite the bullit and take them out?? I have wanted them for so long so now I’m dissapointed
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Rena i feel so sorry for you,
permed dreads will enever look good, and look 4times as thin as normal dreadlocks,
you gotta cut them out hun, and grow your hair once again.
when it does come to dreading, backcomb and do NOT use any wax
Like or Dislike:
0 
0