Can I use Aloe on my dreads? Does it work? - Dreadlocks FAQ's

How well Aloe works has everything to do with what it's used for =] I've experimented with aloe a good bit. I was curious because it's long been touted as everything from a dread wax replacement (not so much as it doesn't help the dread stay compressed in-between palmrolling and compression) to a tamer of fuzzy (it has very little hold after it dries so the effects are short lived) to a moisturizer and cure for dandruff (I didn't see any effect on dandruff but it's ok as a moisturizer if you use it pretty regularly). In the end it's not hard to grow and it won't hurt anything... so you can try it with no worries but you'll probably find it's performance under whelming in the long run. I would squeeze it direct from the leaves if you are going to use it. The store bought stuff is mostly water with a gelling additive. Any actual aloe in the mix is from a powder. It leaves behind more water than anything else.

One thing about Aloe is that it takes quite a while to dry completely, especially in thicker dreads (that are already dry slow to dry). Since aloe has a high water content I could definitely see someone potentially starting dread rot by putting aloe in their dreads and then tying them up. Some people might not consider the dreads wet since no water was involved but they would be wet enough to cause problems. If you do use aloe on your dreads be sure to allow the dreads to air dry or use a hair dryer to get them dry if necessary. 

For taming fuzzies you'll find dread butta more effective, and as a moisturizer the butta lasts longer and has a great scent. Dread-Licious is another option for moisturizing dreadies and adding a lil flava. None of these options leave water behind so you won't accidentally sour your dreads with rot.