Last Updated on October 14, 2023 by Il-ham B
Are single strand knots driving you crazy? First thing first, let’s ease the pressure. As a natural hair girl, you can’t get rid of them permanently. About 15-25 percent of our curls contain single-strand knots. That said, there are ways to ensure they don’t take over your whole head of hair.
If you don’t know what they are, here is a quick description; single strand knots are tiny knots (devils) that form along one’s hair shaft/ strands. Every curly, coily, and kinky-haired girl has experienced it at some point in their journey. To put your mind at ease, they are not necessarily a sign of damage, just a part of the natural hair ride.
Furthermore, If you’ve experienced single strand knots, also known as fairy knots then you’ve thought about how to get rid of them, forevaaaa (Cardi B voice). Or it has crossed your mind once before.
Natural hair with fairy knots
I get fairy knots all the damn time. I typically feel them when mindlessly playing in my hair or when styling. Throughout my natural hair journey, I can’t remember when I did not have them. Perhaps toward the beginning of my journey, which would have been about 10+ years ago.
In this blog post, we will explore why single-stranded knots form and how you can minimize them. The goal is to prevent these knots from hindering your hair’s health and growth.
I know they are driving you crazy, let’s talk about it.
What causes single strand knots
If your hair has any kind of texture to it, you are likely prone to having single strand knots (SSKs). Trichonodosis is its technical name and it can occur during your hair’s shedding process. Since naturally coily hair follicles are oval, they tend to lock up (tangle) around each other and surrounding strands. Considering that curly hair has more resistance during the shedding process. Other causes may be when manipulating the hair during the washing and styling process. Also, any friction caused by hats and or pillowcases can result in fairy knots.
How to prevent single-strand knots
I would be lying if I said there was a way to completely get rid of fairy knots without cutting them off. This especially applies to natural kinky,coily, and curly girls. On the other hand, if there is another way to get rid of them, please let me know in the comment section bellow, we learn from each other. Accordingly, there are a few ways you can prevent an excessive amount of knots from running through your strands. The following are a few things to take into consideration, during your natural hair care regimen.
1. Pre-poo before every wash
Pre-pooing might seem like an extra unnecessary step because you are putting all this oil/ treatment in your hair, then shampooing it out. The goal is to add a protective layer to your natural hair, so your shampoo doesn’t strip your hair of all the moisture. In turn, It adds moisture to your hair, makes it easier to detangle, and boosts the effects of your conditioner. check out the difference between moisturizing oils vs sealing oils.
2. Deep condition often
Deep conditioners are always your best friend. We all know how our hair feels after washing out a hair mask. It feels like butter. Well, your hair should strive to feel like that all the time. A weekly hair mask helps you restore and maintain moisture. When natural hair is moisturized, it keeps slip ends, breakage, and single strand knots at bay. Don’t forget to grab your free natural hair care recipes ebook -> HERE.
3. Detangle your hair with a conditioner that has lots of slip
Detangle with a conditioner that has lots of slip while using your fingers first then with a wide tooth comb. Detangling conditioners (same as a regular conditioner) can be used before shampooing or after washing your hair (Deep conditioner). A conditioner with lots of slips eases the detangling process. It makes it easier for your fingers and combs to glad through your hair. Makes your hair tangle-free. Note that deep conditioners can also contain slip.
4. Trim your natural hair or use the search and destroy method
I know most of us have an attachment to our hair but the goal should be healthy over length. Trimming your hair 2-3 times a year is necessary for maintaining a healthy head of hair. Besides, if single strand knots are driving you crazy, the fastest way to get rid of them is by trimming them off. I also understand that length retention is important. A way to avoid getting scissors happy is to use the search and destroy method. Please don’t yank out fairy knots while playing in your hair as I do. You will be inviting split ends and cause more damage to your strands.
5. Sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet
Sleeping with a satin bonnet or scarf prevents friction and loss of moisture that occurs when sleeping directly on a cotton pillowcase. It also helps reduce tangling, dryness, split ends, and breakage. Another option if you don’t like wearing bonnets or scarf is to use a satin/silk pillowcase. I simply tie a clean satin or silk scarf to my pillow when I don’t feel like tying my hair. This usually happens when I’m not trying to keep a hairstyle intact or my edges laid. Tying a scarf over your hair can help you maintain your hairstyle. Because no one has time to do their hair every morning.
6. Stretch your natural hair with a protective hairstyles
Keeping your hair stretched with braid/twist out or in a protective style helps you avoid fairy knots. It doesn’t give room for the hair to lock on itself. Which is a reason why type 1 and 2 hair don’t usually experience single strand knots.
These tips are no secret. They are more or less the basis of a healthy hair routine.
Related Post
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PENETRATING OILS VS SEALING OILS
SUNFLOWER SEED OIL – A BEAUTY STAPLE
As a natural hair girl, fairly knots come with the territory. Yes, they are annoying as heck but, you have to also embrace them as part of the journey.
On the flip side, If you feel like you may have more knots than usual. It is time to start paying more attention to your hair because the underlying cause might be damaged hair. Are you detangling properly? Does your hair feel more dry than usual? Have you done anything recently that could have damaged it or cause it to feel the way it does? Ask yourself these questions and take the necessary actions to get your hair to where it should be.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post! Share this post with someone who could benefit. Also share your thoughts in the comments section below if you found this information useful. Are single strand knots driving you crazy? How do you prevent them? Comment below.
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