What should I expect when using wax for the first time?

Expect the wax to be firm and a little sticky. It might be a little hard to get off of your hands, since it's waterproof, but you can use liquid Dawn to get it off. You may find it a little different to work the wax into the dreads for the first time, if you do, get a hair dryer and heat the wax a little before you smooth it on the dread, then melt the wax into the dread using the hair dryer when your done.

How often can you wash dreads?

As often as you please. Some people will say that you can't wash dreads at all, because they will fall out, but that is just another dreadlock myth. Dreadlocks should be washed at least once a week, just like normal untangled hair. Your dreads may feel a little loose after you wash them, but they will tighten back as soon as they dry. With new dreads you should be careful with them, the first few times you wash them, make sure to be gentle with them, after all, they are newbie baby dreads, and they are fragile.

I have long hair on top & the sides short, can I dread?

You can, and you can keep the sides short if you want, or let the sides grow out and dread them later.

How do I make my hair grow faster?

There are a couple herbs you can take to make your hair grow fast

1. Horsetail- the is the most effective one
2. Salmon oil
3. Vitamin E
Scalp massages also help hair grow fast

It really depends on what soap you are using. There are 3 types of soap

1. Regular Soap- you can get this at the grocery store or drug store, Wal-Mart, you name it. The problem with these soaps is that they leave residue behind on the hair. (Refer to what is residue for a complete description) residues are left behind from the scents, holders, and moisturizers of the soaps and they build on the hair up over time. Well it's not a problem if you have normal hair, actually it helps the hair because it keeps it from getting into tangles, but it is very bad for dreads because it keeps them from tightening. The residue will also build up and suffocate the scalp, keeping it from breathing and will cause dandruff

2. Residue Free Soap- This shampoo is harder to come by. Soaps for sensitive skin are usually residue free. You can sometimes find them at drug stores, and they always advertise that they are residue free, so don't worry you will know! I get mine from DreadHead, because you can get it for half price if you order 6, and its really hard for me to find residue free shampoo where I'm living.

3. Medicated Shampoo- Some people make the mistake of using this type of shampoo all the time. The reason it is bad to use this shampoo all the time is because, like regular shampoos, it leaves a residue behind. Not a scent residue but a medicated residue. This residue builds up just like the scented residue and keeps the dreads from tightening and the scalp from breathing so it causes the dandruff to form. So it's actually working against you when it is supposed to be helping you. It is best to wash your dreadlocks in this shampoo when you have an itchy scalp, wash it once or twice to make the itches go away and the continue using your residue free shampoo.

Which wax should I use?

There are many different products out on the market that say they are intended for dreadlocking hair, but that does not mean that they actually work. Any wax that has the ingredient of petroleum is bad for your dreads, it will make your dreads feel nasty and it will make your dreads fall apart. There are 3 waxes that are appropriate for dreadlocking hair:

1. DreadHead
2. Knatty Dread
3. Knotty Boy

1. DreadHead- This is the best of the waxes we have tested. Its strong points were its long lasting hold and its lack of grease.

2. Knatty Dread - This is the best loc cream we tested. It has necessary vitamins and nutrients for healthy locs and scalp and it's not greasy.

3. Knotty Boy-this wax is pretty good over all. Decent hold. Its main problem is that it's greasier than it needs to be and the hold, while long lasting, isn't that strong. I also think the smell of their wax is a bit much. At first I was like mmm yummy, but after a few hours or so I was like sick to my tummy.