Which is better for dreads, gel or wax?

I am African-American and my hair at the roots is very naturally wavy (been natural over a year now) yet the ends are puffy and tightly curled/nappy. Lastnight my girl tried to start my dreads using a comb and twirling it tightly to my head with some locking gel, (something she saw on youtube.com) however it didn't work well and my hair started turning into raincurls. I like the method she was using as they form very smooth dreads, the gel had my hair ridicuously wet (I think she mayhave used too much) but I was wondering if made wax would be better? Trying again Sunday.