Gel or Wax for Dreadlocks? - Dreadlocks Club

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People who are new to wearing dreadlocks often wonder whether they can apply wax or gel on their hair.

We agree that it can get very confusing, particularly when you’re new to this. While it’s not a necessity, dread wax and gel have been increasingly popular among a number of customers as well as stylists. That’s why in this post, we will pit gel and wax against each other.

This is going to be the ultimate wax vs. gel for dreadlocks showdown!

Table of Contents

Wax vs. Gel for Dreadlocks

Objectively, a gel is best to apply for dreadlocks if necessary.

Wax can be risky as it can be too heavy on your hair and it will create a lot of buildups that you may not be able to wash off. So much so that you’ll have to use more products to get rid of wax residue.

This might end up creating damage to your locs in the long run.

Gel for Dreadlocks

There are a lot of loc’d individuals who use gel to start or form dreadlocks because it makes the hair flexible. In turn, it makes dreadlock formation easier than doing it on dry hair. However, keep in mind that gel should not be applied for all methods out there, just for the ones that need it.
A gel is a water-based formula. Therefore, it’s a lot easier to rinse out. You only are required to shampoo once to wash out the gel.
There are several types of gels on the market that carry alcohol in them. You shouldn’t apply them because alcohol will dry out your hair. Avoid using this when you have dreads!
Another astonishing thing about gels is that you can make your own if you’re on a budget or if you simply fancy a solution that’s gluten-free, vegan, organic, and not damaging to the environment.
Some people with dreadlocks just use freshly-pressed aloe vera gel to moisturize and condition their locs.

Wax for Dreadlocks

Loc lovers who apply wax report that it’s wonderful if you have thicker hair that requires just a little bit of a boost to bind together. Wax will help to keep your locs together and form them tightly when you make the dreads.
People with mature dreadlocks state that if you try natural beeswax on your locs, rinsing it with warm water can only get rid of the excess wax. The rest of it will stay within the core of the loc itself, moisturizing it from inside and keeping its shape.
On the downside, locticians state that wax may not be an excellent idea if you possess very thin or fine hair. Wax will prove very hard to remove, it will pull lint, residue, and dust, and cause buildup to form in your locs. This, in time, might turn your dreadlocks white and unappealing and might even start to smell.
Unlike water-based gel, wax is very dense as a product and can simply weigh down your hair. Therefore, your locs will waste their natural volume, freshness, and that pretty bounce they have.
If you started to have caked-up wax in your locs or residue buildup, you might require more than shampoo to get it out of your hair. Loc wearers suggest that if this should occur to you, try applying baking soda diluted in water to dislodge the wax pieces out from your hair.

What are the Best Dread Wax and Gels?

Below, we have listed some of the best dread wax and gels that are available in the market.

Papaya and Passion Fruit Dreadlocks Creme Locking Wax from Irie Dread

Thinking about how to hold your stubborn hair as well as refining the twists and locks as you wish? Then rely on this product.

It does help keep your locks and have a long-lasting grip without leaving any residue. The formula of this locking wax carries the best Caribbean ingredients.

Dreadlocks Wax Push-Up Stick from KNOTTY BOY

Are you a fan of Knotty Boy Dread Wax? Still, do slippery fingers bother you? If so, consider using the Push-Up Stick from this brand to keep the dreadlocks with ease.

Amazingly, the formula doesn’t give you a greasy or cakey feeling. Its beeswax is 100% authentic and smells sweet. For those who don’t choose an added fragrance, you won’t get enough of this product.

Not all, they’re exclusively manufactured for dreadlocks. You can choose a suitable color for your hair.

This dreadlock wax product can keep your dreadlocks for up to 2 months. It’s easy and water-resistant. So it can treat your hair together while being soft to use with minimal effort.

Also, it’s fit for any type of hair. You can wash it quickly. If some other products comprise petroleum, the wax has none of them. That’s why it will crumble down naturally with showers.

Dreadlocks Wax from Dready Dreadzz: Dreadcare From The Netherlands

This is another best dread wax in the market. You can apply it to your palm-rolling dreadlocks. Thanks to it, your unlocked hairs won’t fall out of your dreads.

The product lets the dreadlocks be snug. Plus, your hair receives extra care from the supplement of vitamin E in this wax.

It’s simple to remove from your dreadlocks. Just apply warm water and shampoo to wash the dreadlocks.

For more satisfying effects, you should blow-dry your dreads after you use the wax. Keep in mind that its intensity is light.

Soft Sheen Carson Let’s Jam! Condition & Shine Gel

Condition & Shine Gel by Soft Sheen Carson utilizes micro-emulsion technology that modifies your hair and imparts shine. It lessens hair breakage and does not leave any residue as it does not carry wax or alcohol. The extra grip formula of the hair gel is ideal for braiding, styling, twisting, smoothing edges, and taming frizz and flyaways. Unlike normal creams or waxes, this gel does not produce flaking.

Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturising Twist & Lock Gel

This hair gel is composed of 100% pure shea butter and many other plant-based ingredients. It manages frizz and flyaways, giving you a smooth-looking hairdo. This gel has hydrating qualities and locks moisture in your hair shafts to help your hairstyle stay put.

Genuine African Formula SuperGro Hair Gel Extra Hold

This all-natural hair gel is produced with an exceptional formula using potent ingredients like placenta, biotin, West African shea butter, extracts of peach leaves, peach oils, onion juice, and wild bee honey. The essential oils, natural plant and herbal extracts, amino acids, and minerals support natural hair growth. This hair gel stops hair loss and thinning and aids in faster and thicker hair growth.

Botanicals Organic Coconut Butter Styling Pomade from Darcy

Do you possess less dense hair? Then this healthy pomade is uniquely for you.

It doesn’t seem heavy. Instead, the product is light while adding beeswax for smoothness and grip.

Its formula will definitely satisfy you as it’s 100% organic. They carry peach kernel and coconut oil, which provides moisture to penetrate deeply into your scalp before sealing it. Vitamin E is wonderful for enhancing the growth speed of your hair.

Best Dread Wax from Dread Empire

Dread Empire never fails us with its products. This dreadlock wax isn’t an exception. It helps secure, tighten as well as rush up the new dreads’ locking process.

The beeswax base presents the texture a bit creamier. It’s also more workable than other available waxes you find in the market. Hence, you can use the wax instantly while it still provides you the necessary hold. Your stubborn dreads will be manageable.

What’s more, the product is a wonderful combination of natural ingredients that you will enjoy. They carry Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, as well as Vitamin E. They are all enormously preferred for being able to increase your hair’s strength and condition. The dreadlocks will grow stronger and healthier dreadlocks.

This product is suitable for any color of hair. Don’t confuse the creamy color in the jar for the transparent one when served into the dreadlocks.

Dread Dreadlock Wax from Dread Head HQ

Get the dreads to come together more promptly with this wax. A small quantity is more than enough to keep your hair.

This product has several proteins and vitamins that can help supply and improve your hair. The best part? They are easy to rinse off.

African Pride Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid, Loc & Twist Gel

This gel for dreadlocks holds your hairdo neat and manageable. It softens flyaway and boosts shine. It is saturated with a great combination of black castor oil and coconut oil. Black castor oil ties in moisture in your locs, stops hair breakage, and encourages hair growth. Coconut oil hydrates and repairs broken hair. The extra-hold hair gel can also be applied to dry and wet hair.

ORS Lock & Twist Gel

The ORS Lock & Twist Gel is a cream-textured hair gel brewed with coconut milk extracts and soybean oil that lock in moisture and feed the locks. It relaxes the hair and reduces frizz and flyaway. This hair gel gives shine and gives your hairdo a clear and clean finish.

Tropical Roots Firm Locking Gel

The Tropical Roots Firm Locking Gel is ideal for braids, twists, and locks. It carries tropical ingredients, like pineapple and guava, that sustain and maintain your hair.

Pineapple has enzymes that enhance the hair follicles and provide nutrition. It lessens hair fall, strengthens the hair shafts, and develops the elasticity and thickness of hair.

Guava extract is supplemented with vitamin C that promotes collagen and aids hair growth. It is also a natural antioxidant with antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities. Thus, helping the scalp be healthy and protects the hair from thermal damage and UV rays. This gel does not leave behind any residue and does not create flakiness.

Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Firm Hair Wax- Resistant Formula

As its name implies, this best dread wax is an authentic mixture of natural fruit extracts. They’re perfect to start and maintain your locs. Their hold is easy and gentle and nothing greasy stays when rinsed off.

No residue buildup, either!

It also has Blue Mountain Honey, which is popular for maintaining moisture.

Dollylocks Coconut, Aloe, And Lime Tightening Gel

The Dollylocks Coconut, Aloe, And Lime Tightening Gel are specifically made for dreadlocks. It is infused with a combination of coconut extract, aloe vera extract, lime oil, avocado oil, oat protein, hemp seed oil, and grapefruit essence. The natural essential oils and extracts help support and bind dreadlocks.

The aloe and coconut extracts stimulate the hair shafts and support healthy hair growth. This gel for dreadlocks also helps develop hair elasticity and repair damage created by chemicals and heat. Its unique formula tames frizz and excludes flyaways, providing you a clean and neat-looking hairdo.

Lion Locs Locking Moisturizer

The Lion Locs Locking Moisturizer grips, twists, and tames your locks.

The all-natural gel is blended with aloe vera leaf juice, hydrolyzed wheat protein, lavender oil, argan oil, and ylang-ylang. It is produced with handpicked organic ingredients that nourish and strengthen your hair.

This lock gel enters deep into your hair shafts, penetrates the cuticles, and seals in moisture. It stops breakage, makes your hair healthy and polished, and reduces frizz.

Vegan Dread Wax for Dreadlocks

This wax, which is rich in vegan elements, is silky sleek and it will work in your dreadlocks instantly. The dreads will then feel light despite their pliable hold.

Also, it’s pretty clear. You won’t find any pinching on the ingredients that are natural and have ample nutrients. For another plus feature, the wax smells fresh and relaxing.

Stylin’ Dredz Mouldin’ Gel Wax

This product from the Stylin’ Dreadz brand is one of the greatest products for starting dreads. It is supplemented with natural ingredients, such as tea tree oil.

This has been demonstrated to help stop the residue buildup of chemicals and dandruff, giving a fresh and nice hair look. Plus, a particular dread wax recipe helps to moisturize and keep your locks healthy. It also stops hair from falling out.

With a tiny amount of wax, it will surely lock your hair quịkly and keep the dreads well.

With constant use, this dread wax can help users keep the natural shine of their locs. It also does not weigh down the dreads, reduces dryness, and helps prevent dandruff.

DIY dreadlock gel

There are several ways to maintain your dreads. You can spend on the best products to lock dreads or create homemade dreadlock gel.

As you know, aloe vera is deemed the most popular ingredient in natural products for dreadlocks and other hair care products. It boosts hair growth, nourishes the hair and scalp, as well as stimulates the locking process.

That said, here’s how you can make an all-natural aloe vera gel:

Begin with a clean and big aloe vera leaf. You can obtain it in any supermarket near you.
Cut it up into about 3-5 pieces depending on the size of the leaf.
Take out the sides and cut the outer layer on one side off of the aloe vera leaf.
Take a spoon and extract the gel by scraping all the liquid out from the aloe vera leaf. Do the procedure again and scrape the gel from other pieces.
Once you have scraped all the gel from aloe vera, continue to beat it evenly with a fork. Add several drops of essential oil if you don’t like the powerful smell of aloe vera, then whisk the gel for 3-5 minutes and it becomes fragrant.
Take a glass container and pour the gel right into it. Put it in your fridge so that you can keep it for 2-3 weeks.

What to use for dreads instead of wax?

As previously mentioned, people can use different techniques and products to maintain their dreads. You can apply gel, spray, and other natural products for your dreadlocks.

For instance, gel for locs does not provide the same effect as dread wax but it is an alternative approach that many users like.

Most products are produced to protect your hairstyle and also serve as a moisturizer. However, you have to use the gel on dread hair as it makes forming dreads a lot easier than you do in dry hair.

Many loc’d individuals prefer gel products as it is based on water, so it is more manageable to wash out. Just shampoo once, the gel you applied previously is removed.

Quick Tips

Make sure that you consider these simple tips and tricks to ensure that you are not damaging your dreadlocks:

Don’t use it too much! Hold the knots by applying just enough. You don’t need to reapply every day or after every wash.
Don’t apply dreadlock wax on your wet hair. It will give a mustier smell as the wax seals in moisture. Wait until your locs are dry.
After checking your label, examine the ingredients. Several “dread wax” labeled products carry harmful chemicals that are hard to wash out. They may include microcrystalline wax, mineral oil, petrolatum, and more. They won’t wash away by themselves over time like natural ingredients but probably remain lodged in your locks.

Like dreadlocks, but don’t love the smell, appearance, or amount of time taken for them to lock? If so, why don’t you give the best dread wax tips above a try?

They make your dread out of the dreadlocks promptly. Your locks will be a long-term responsibility but it can be manageable with the help of the right products and tips listed above.

Final Thoughts

Because it is water-based, a gel is easier to rinse off. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using it to begin your dreads or to style them. Wax can be applied at a “required” time, so use it with caution. In the end, it will be up to you which one will work better on your dreadlocks.

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Click here to check out dreadlock products on Love Locs.