Listen to yourself. The only person who knows what's best for you is you.

You're supposed to listen to your own judgment. :)

The debate springs from the simple fact that some people have good experiences with wax, and others don't. (That, and we have a tendency to be very opinionated about things.) People dislike wax for a variety of reasons. Consumerism, the ingredients, the feel, smell, the effects of misuse, etc. It goes on and on. So far, the only reasons I have heard to be pro wax are that it makes your dreads appear neat and helps keep them from feeling crispy. Also, a lot of the anti-wax people speak from bad experiences, myself included.

Most of the people who are anti-wax are that way because wax will hinder your hair locking up. The desired effect is for the hair to grab onto itself and knot up, thus making dreads. Wax makes your hair greasy and sticky, thus hindering this process. (You in effect glue your hair together instead of knot it up.) As an added argument point, wax can also build up in your hair, causing many problems, including mold and mildew, which can lead to your dread breaking off at the worst, and itchiness and foul smells at the least.

Arguing the other side, most of peoples negative experiences seems to come from wax being used improperly, usually leaning toward too much. Many people who are pro-wax use small (smaller than recommended) amounts of wax for conditioning and neatness. (The stickiness of wax will hold down loose hairs, making your dreads appear neater.)

Really, there is no reason for wax, other than the fact that you personally like using it. It's not going to give you better dreads, only time will do that. Used properly, it'll only give you the illusion of neater dreads and a sticky head. Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you're curious, use it once. If you like it, keep going. If not, give yourself a deep cleaning and never touch the stuff again. In the end, it's your head.

I sometimes use the wax or better yet, knotty boy's gel (which is a lot better in my opinion since i've started using it... easy to apply and washes out easily) to neaten things up if I have to be somewhere that I would like them to look a little more together. I personally haven't had any negative experiences with it, but like someone posted earlier, I use a lot less than suggested and have waited until my locks are somewhat knotted because it does prolong the knotting process. If you do use wax, use the tiniest amount that can be washed out easily from your dreads. I have used dreadhead wax and I guess its ok. In five months I've used about a teaspoon amount total. I can't say about knottyboys wax because I've never used it, but the gel is great smelling and works well for fly away hairs or little wispy things that don't want to lock up yet.

Really, its whatever works for you. I wish you well with your dreads!

oh my god... i havent checked tribe in months... and now i remember why

Listen to your little dreadies. They know what's up.

I use wax.
However, I use extremely tiny amounts.
I wax my dreads once, maybe twice a week, and I apply it only where needed, which is mostly on the ends to keep them from drying out and breaking off. I get just enough on a fingertip that I can feel it, but not see it, even though it's brown.


MOST PEOPLE WHO USE WAX USE ENTIRELY TOO MUCH.

Another thing to consider... what is your natural hair texture? If it's super-fine and soft, wax is more likely to give you problems.

I also began with wax because I got brainwashed by dreadheadhq... and noticed how I was spending a ridiculous amount of time on my hair, waxing and rolling.... much more than when I had straight hair. Is this the point of dreadlocks? To spend hours obsessing about your hair?? I don't think so. They also felt really sticky and nasty.

Anyway, luckily after about a month, I dug deaper on the internet and came across some resources completely against wax and pro natural. From then on, I decided not to put much effort into my dreads and just give them time instead. No wax, no root rubbing, no palm rolling. My dreads look great, and I'm so much happier! Dreads aren't supposed to be work... and you don't need fancy products, the dreads will dread themselves. And you certainly don't want to risk wax causing them to mold.

I don't use wax but I do use.....Dr.Miracle's Hot Gro Feel It stuff.....LOVE IT......you can get it as Walmart or Walgreens.....it smells like cloves, tingles/stimulates your scalp OHHHH SO nicely.....I use it for when I do my twist down ritual.....same company has a scalp oil treatment....which I use when my scalp needs a little stimulation!!!