When I began this site, I had no intention of providing “how to” instructions, because I felt the rest of the internet was already doing that. Eight months and much learning later, I’ve realised just how much misguidance there is, especially regarding dreadlock products and the great divider of dreadheads: wax.
I’m anxious to just get this post up and being found by search engines, and will expand on this matter later.
For now I will say, if you are considering growing or making dreadlocks, please search some dreadlock forums first and don’t just be guided by Knotty Boy, Dread Head HQ and any other dreadlock site or company trying to sell you something.
Here are some links to a few places you should consider to be a source of honest, experienced advice, not motivated by money:
Keep in mind that dreadlocks are a natural state for hair to be in. If you only washed it and did nothing else, you would eventually grow dreads. Indeed, many patient people choose this long but rewarding journey. There are plenty of things you can do to speed up this process which do not involve expensive heavily-marketed products that create work for you and often may ultimately hinder your knotty progress.
Although it is very easy to be swayed by the persuasive language on some of the “professional” dreadlocks sites, plus a natural tendency to associate dreadlocks with anti-corporate sentiments, it would be naive to think these people are not influenced by a desire for your money. This is just common sense.
Dread wax is probably the biggest issue within this context. There are some very helpful words about it here, and this is what I have to say on the matter.
Yay for Dreads