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Starting dreads, but just not sure what you'll need?

We've done the hard work for you by putting together the bare essentials for starting locks from scratch (and in larger Kits, a few fun extras), at a discount!

Incredible locks
in weeks, not years.

Create and maintain beautiful locks in any hair type easier, faster, and cleaner with Knotty Boy Natural Dreadlock Care products.

Pure ingredients, simple instructions and limitless customer support. Think Dreadlocks, Think Knotty Boy - the Original Since 1998!

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Wax On, Wax Off?


 

image of side-by-side dreadlock wax jars with lids removed showing one light and one dark wax

 

To wax, or not to wax; that is the question on just about every potential dreadhead’s mind.

Dread Wax is easily the most controversial of hair care products, sparking hot debate far and wide in internet-land. Can you have great dreads without using it?

Absolutely. Dread wax is not a necessity, but as thousands of happy customers (and stylists) can tell you, using Knotty Boy Dread Wax can safely help you get those dreads faster. We recommend it at The Dreadquarters because it works! If you’re looking for a way to speed up the locking process, look no further than this little tub of all-natural awesome.

Originally formulated to help people with straight hair lock up, Knotty Boy Dread Wax has gained popularity among all hair types as an effective way to keep new knots protected during shampoos, meaning less frustration and less daily maintenance. It also keeps flyaway hair groomed to the body of the dread, making it more manageable for anyone who needs to keep it tidy for work or school. Used as directed, it’s a great tool to have at your hair care disposal – but it’s a choice, not a necessity.

If you choose to use dread wax, here are 4 quick tips for avoiding some commonly-cited pitfalls.

1) Use it sparingly! Apply just enough to hold your knots in place; you should barely feel it after palm rolling. It’s not necessary to reapply every day, or even after every wash.

2) Never apply wax to wet hair; it will seal in moisture, contributing to musty smells. Wait until your hair is 100% dry, all the way through, before application.

3) Wax is meant to hold knots together; you cannot apply wax to loose hair and expect dreads! Backcomb or otherwise knot up your hair first, then apply just as much wax as you need to keep those knots in place.

4) Check your label, then Google the ingredients. There are a lot of products out there labelled ‘dread wax’, containing chemicals like mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, petrolatum (essentially Vaseline) and various other questionable ingredients. Tough to wash out and potentially toxic. Yuck! These are the ingredients that can stay lodged in locks, rather than washing away over time like natural ingredients do.

As is true when researching nearly anything online, it’s hard to get all the information. When someone offers their experience, delve deeper! What worked? What didn’t? What techniques, what aftercare, what products? The more knowledge you can gather, the better prepared you are to make your decisions – and the greater your dreadlocks will be in the end.

- Kris Lockafella, The Dreadquarters

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