Do your locs feel fuzzy and out of control? Do you dream of neat, tight dreadlocks that stay put all day? Many people with locs know the struggle. Finding the perfect Dreadlock Gel can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Some gels leave your hair sticky. Others dry out your scalp. You want a product that holds well without causing buildup or damage.
This is a common problem for everyone growing and maintaining dreadlocks. The wrong gel can ruin your style fast. That is why we are diving deep into the world of Dreadlock Gel today. We will explore what really works for strong, healthy locs. Keep reading to learn the secrets to choosing the best gel for your unique hair. Say goodbye to frizz and hello to amazing hold!
Top Dreadlock Gel Recommendations
- SUPREME LOCKING GEL - Maximum hold styling gel ideal for a variety of styles including dreadlocks, faux locs, interlocks, and more! Re-twist with ease while keeping your hair protected and moisturized
- NOURISH & PROTECT - Infused with royal jelly, panthenol, and peptides, this formula helps with conditioning and smoothing hair, enhancing shine and softness for your hair
- SAY GOODBYE TO FRIZZ AND FLAKING - Tame flakes and frizz while adding shine! Our gel gives effortless edge control and styling power with zero residue for all-day flawless hair
- EASY TO USE - Start at the base of each section where you want hold and styling. Use fingers or a styling tool to work the gel through as you twist. Smooth formula applies easily without clumping
- ABOUT US - AllDay Locks offers salon quality gels, sprays, and oils for textured hair, braids, and locs for professional hold, frizz control, and nourishment so your style stays flawless all day!
- Smooths Frizz & Boosts Shine - Our professional braiding gel smooths away frizz and flyaways while enhancing shine for a sleek, long-lasting finish. Whether you're styling braids, locs, or twists, it keeps your look fresh, neat, and polished with minimal effort.
- Extra Holdfor Proactive Styles - Designed for serious hold power, this formula delivers firm control without stiffness or flakes. It’s the perfect loc and twist gel for locking in styles while maintaining flexibility and natural movement.
- Enriched with Black Castor Oil - Infused with Black Castor Oil, known to nourish the scalp and help support natural hair growth. This nutrient-rich braiding hair gel strengthens hair at the root while keeping styles tight, clean, and healthy-looking.
- Hydrating Coconut Oil Care - Formulated with Coconut Oil to deeply condition and hydrate each strand. Whether used as a loc gel for retwist or for styling freshly braided hair, it helps repair damage and protect against dryness and breakage.
- Clean & Natural Ingredients - Free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petrolatum, this braid, loc & twist gel is made with only natural ingredients to protect and nourish your hair—without the harsh chemicals. A must-have hair detangler for healthy, hydrated curls.
- Aloe Gel
- Lightweight
- Hydrates to prevent dryness
- Non-sticky hold
- Adds natural shine
- Smooths Frizz & Boosts Shine - Our professional braiding gel smooths away frizz and flyaways while enhancing shine for a sleek, long-lasting finish. Whether you're styling braids, locs, or twists, it keeps your look fresh, neat, and polished with minimal effort.
- Extra Hold for Professional Styles - Designed for serious hold power, this formula delivers firm control without stiffness or flakes. It’s the perfect loc and twist gel for locking in styles while maintaining flexibility and natural movement.
- Enriched with Black Castor Oil - Infused with Black Castor Oil, known to nourish the scalp and help support natural hair growth. This nutrient-rich braiding hair gel strengthens hair at the root while keeping styles tight, clean, and healthy-looking.
- Hydrating Coconut Oil Care - Formulated with Coconut Oil to deeply condition and hydrate each strand. Whether used as a loc gel for retwist or for styling freshly braided hair, it helps repair damage and protect against dryness and breakage.
- Clean & Natural Ingredients - Free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petrolatum, this braid, loc & twist gel is made with only natural ingredients to protect and nourish your hair—without the harsh chemicals. A must-have hair detangler for healthy, hydrated curls.
- EXTREME HOLD BRAID GEL - Designed to provide strong, long-lasting hold for braids, locs, twists, cornrows, and more. Keeps styling slick, extra defined, frizz- and flake-free all day!
- GOODBYE FRIZZ, HELLO SHINE - Botanical ingredients like lavender, tea tree, and peppermint enhance hair texture and shine while providing conditioning care that smooths and protects against humidity
- NOURISH & PROTECT - Pro-vitamin B5, amino acids, castor oil, and tea tree oil to provide lightweight, long-lasting moisture, prevent dryness, and keep strands healthy and shining!
- EASY TO USE - This braiding hair gel is simple to apply: section hair, work gel in with your fingers, then braid, twist, or style. Rinses cleanly without buildup for effortless results
- ABOUT US - AllDay Locks offers salon quality gels, sprays, and oils for textured hair, braids, and locs for professional hold, frizz control, and nourishment so your style stays flawless all day!
- MOISTURIZING TWIST LOCK GEL: Twist, Hold, Mold, and Tame your locks and curls, prevent further breakage, and makes locs healthier and shinier.
- CONTROLS FRIZZ: Made from all-natural ingredients this twist and lock gel penetrates into hair and seals open hair cuticles to control frizz and tame stray flyaways.
- FOR ALL LOC and HAIR TYPES: Specifically made to help with any hairstyle or type. Whether microlocs, interlocks, dreadlocks, braidlocks, braids, faux locs, crochet locs, boho locs, twistlocks, or sisterlocks, this product will work for you.
- 100% ORGANIC: Proudly vegan and cruelty-free with handpicked natural and organic ingredients for all loc and hair types.
- LOC BUTTER FOR DREADS: Paraben and Sulfate Free ingredients with a creamy texture unlike other gels on the market. Enhanced with ALOE VERA LEAF JUICE, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, ARGAN OIL and JOJOBA OIL for added protection.
- TURN FRIZZ INTO TWISTS: soothes silky & shiny curls perfectly for twists, braid outs, and loc styles
- AWARD-WINNING TEXTURE: creamy gel formula made from pure shea butter soothes, de-frizzes & moisturizes strands
- GREAT FOR: Type 3 Curls, Type 4 coils, and Locs
- NO HARSH INGREDIENTS: no mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten, paraffin or propylene
- CRUELTY-FREE: absolutely no testing on animals
- Strong Hold & Definition: Achieve perfectly defined braids, twists, and locs with Tropical Roots Firm Locking Gel. Enjoy a strong, lasting hold that keeps your styles sharply defined and intact all day without flaking or residue.
- Enhances Hair Health: This gel not only locks in your style but also promotes healthier strands, thanks to its formulation designed to support hair strength and reduce breakage during styling. Moisture & Nourishing Ingredients: Infused with natural Pineapple and Guava Extracts, and fortified with Vitamins B5 & B12, the gel provides essential moisture and nutrients, enhancing the shine and health of your hair.
- Versatile Styling Companion: Ideal for a variety of natural hairstyles, this locking gel is perfect for those seeking a firm but flexible hold that supports locs, twists, and braid styles while maintaining the natural beauty of hair.
- Empowering Black-Owned Excellence: With 60+ years of experience, Bronner Brothers is a trailblazer in the beauty industry. As a Black-owned business, we are deeply committed to serving and uplifting our community, setting new standards of excellence, and continually innovating to meet the needs of our customers.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dreadlock Gel
Dreadlocks are a beautiful hairstyle. Keeping them neat and tight takes the right tools. Dreadlock gel is essential for starting new locks or maintaining existing ones. This guide helps you choose the best product for your hair.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for dreadlock gel, several features matter most. These determine how well the gel works and how healthy your hair stays.
Hold Strength
- Light Hold: Good for very short or new locks. It offers flexibility but might not keep stray hairs down for long.
- Medium Hold: A popular choice. It keeps things neat without making the hair feel stiff or crunchy.
- Firm/Maximum Hold: Best for experienced dreads or styles needing serious control. Be careful; too much firm hold can cause buildup.
Residue and Flaking
You want a gel that dries clear. Flakes look like dandruff, which is embarrassing. Check reviews to see if the gel leaves white residue once it dries.
Moisture Content
Healthy dreadlocks need moisture. Look for gels that hydrate. Dry locks break easily. Gels with natural oils are usually better for moisture.
Important Ingredients Matter
The ingredients list tells you everything about the gel’s performance and safety for your scalp.
Good Ingredients
- Natural Oils (e.g., Coconut, Jojoba, Castor Oil): These nourish the hair shaft and scalp. They help keep the locks flexible.
- Aloe Vera: This ingredient soothes the scalp and adds light moisture without being too heavy.
- Beeswax or Candelilla Wax (Natural Waxes): These provide hold. Natural waxes are often easier to wash out than synthetic alternatives.
Ingredients to Use Sparingly (or Avoid)
- Heavy Petroleum Products: These build up quickly. Buildup suffocates the hair and makes locks heavy and prone to mold.
- Harsh Alcohols: Some alcohols dry out the hair completely. Dry hair snaps.
- Artificial Dyes and Strong Perfumes: These can irritate sensitive scalps.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Product quality is not just about ingredients; it’s about how the product performs over time.
Quality Enhancers
A high-quality gel locks the hair firmly without requiring much product. It should spread easily through the hair. Gels that dry quickly but remain flexible are considered high quality.
Quality Reducers (The Dreadlock Killers)
The biggest quality reducer is buildup. If a gel hardens like cement, it traps dirt and moisture inside the lock. This trapped moisture can lead to mold or rot inside the dreadlock. Always choose products that advertise “easy rinse” or “no buildup.”
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the gel changes what you need to buy.
Starting New Locks (Coils and Palm Rolling)
When you first start dreadlocks, you need a very strong hold gel. This helps the loose hair grab onto the main section quickly. Firm hold gels work best here.
Maintenance and Retwisting
For routine tightening (retwisting), you need a gel that allows you to separate the new growth easily. Medium hold is usually perfect. You want enough grip to twist neatly, but not so much that you pull your hair out.
Scalp Health
If you have a dry or itchy scalp, prioritize gels labeled “soothing” or “lightweight.” Heavy products sit on the scalp and cause problems. Wash your hair regularly, regardless of the gel you choose.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dreadlock Gel
Q: Can I use regular hair gel instead of dreadlock gel?
A: You can use it in an emergency, but regular gels usually cause heavy buildup quickly. Dreadlock gels are designed to rinse out better.
Q: How often should I apply dreadlock gel?
A: Only apply gel when you retwist or maintain your locks, usually every 4 to 8 weeks. Daily use causes too much buildup.
Q: Will dreadlock gel make my hair crunchy?
A: Some firm-hold gels will. Look for moisturizing gels or those containing natural oils to avoid the crunchy feeling.
Q: Is beeswax better than water-based gel?
A: Beeswax offers stronger hold, especially for beginners. Water-based gels are lighter and rinse out easier, which is better for mature locks.
Q: Does dreadlock gel stop frizz?
A: Yes, that is one of its main jobs. It smooths down the loose hairs along the lock shaft.
Q: Can dreadlock gel cause hair loss?
A: The gel itself usually does not cause loss. Tight retwisting combined with heavy, drying gel can cause breakage or traction alopecia.
Q: How do I wash out old dreadlock gel buildup?
A: You need a clarifying shampoo. Wash your hair several times, focusing on the scalp and the base of the locks.
Q: Should I use gel on wet or dry hair?
A: Most professionals recommend applying gel to slightly damp or dry hair during retwisting for the best grip.
Q: Are organic dreadlock gels always better?
A: Organic ingredients are often gentler. However, a well-formulated synthetic gel might hold better than a poorly formulated organic one. Check the reviews!
Q: What if my new locks feel itchy after applying gel?
A: Itching often means the product is irritating your skin or you applied it too close to the scalp. Switch to a lighter, fragrance-free gel.