Well, we get asked this question on at least a weekly basis, so we decided to answer your question here.

Temporary dreads are kind of an iffy thing, because the backcombing that has to be done can be very hard to get out. But if you are wiling to deal with it, what we normally tell people is to follow the instructions on the How To Dread page, but instead of waxing them up with Knotty Boy Dread Wax, try using our Locksteady Tropical Tightening Gel which would do the trick perfectly, or try a regular gel or hairspray to tighten them up. That way when you decide to wash them out, they will come out a lot easier because you don't have a non water-soluble binder in you hair, but a product that is meant to come out with water.

People sometimes try using other things instead of gel or hairspray to bind their temporary dreads together, but as is said in the "Using Stuff Around the House" section, those things can create a wonderful playland for buggies, so PLEASE don't try them.

If you're really set on wanting dreads for a little while, you CAN start your dreads with Knotty Boy Dread Wax, then use our Knotty Boy Emergency Dreadlock Removal Kit to untangle your hair quite easily after having them up to six weeks or so. The kit breaks down the wax and allows you to condition and comb out your locks.

Well, we hate to tell you this... but if you have male-pattern baldness in your family and can see it coming on even now, we wouldn't recommend locking up because dreading your hair can cause a lot of extra stress on those already-weak hair follicles. And your locks only get heavier as your dreads come together over time. If you want the hair you have on your head now to stay as long as possible, we wouldn't recommend dreads - sorry!