7 Ways To minimise Single Strand knots
Single strand knots (sometimes referred to as fairy knots) can definitely be an irritating part of your natural hair experience. If you’ve ever run your fingers through your curls and come across what feels like a hair tiny ball at the end (or anywhere along) of your hair strand, then you’ve experienced single strand knots.
So what are single strand knots?
Well firstly let us assure you that single strand knots are a perfectly normal part of your natural hair journey. Single strand knots are tiny knots that can sometimes feel like little balls when you run your fingers down a single strand of your hair.
Why do we get single strand knots/How do they actually form?
When curly hair begins to grow out of the follicle it can sometimes bend and loop around itself or other hairs. Natural hair has a distinct curly and coily curl pattern which can sometimes lead other hairs to get caught around each other and form the knots. A single strand of hair can also loop and twist around itself and form a knot over the same strand of a hair more than once; which means there are times you can find multiple single strand knots on a single strand of hair. The way you choose to style your curls can also easily pull any single strand knots you already have making them tighter.
How do I get single strand knots out of my hair?
Single strand knots are too tiny to be undone by your fingers so the best way to get rid of them is to cut them off. This can be achieved by regularly trimming your hair.
Should I worry about single strand knots?
While it is not possible to completely avoid single starnd knots, you should definitely try to reduce them. If they are left to their own devises the tiny knots can cause more knots, tangles and even lead to breakage, which we definitely don’t want.
So how do I prevent single strand knots or t least minimise them?
As we mentioned above due to our curly and coily hair textures we can never fully prevent single strand knots, but there are definitely ways to minimise them and we have identified 7 which we will discuss below.
- Detangle Your Hair
This is a very important step in your natural hair care routine and one that can minimise single strand knots. Taking the time to detangle your hair loosens tangles that can other wise cause single strand knots. We would advise finger detangling your hair first and then following on with a wide tooth comb to ensure your are gently removing knots and tangles. And just a reminder to apply some form of detangling product, water or a leave in to make the hair more pliable; don’t try to detangle dry hair as that could lead to breakage.
- Minimise ‘wash and gos’
As beautiful as a wash and go style is, it also leaves your hair in a shrunken, curly state which is a fertile ground for knots and tangles to form. Minimising the amount of wash and gos you wear can help to minimise single strand knots. If you do opt for a wash and go as a style, make sure you finger detangle your hair and seal the ends with some form of hair balm or gel to try and minimise the opportunity for the single strand knots to form.
- Wash your hair in small sections
When you wash your hair all as one you may inadvertently cause single strand knots to form in your hair. This is because you have no control over where your hairs are going as you wash them. Washing your hair in smaller sections can help you to control your hairs more, thus minimising single strand knots. You could section your hair into big plaints or twists before you wash it; find out what works best for you and go with it.
- Keep your hair stretched
Using hairstyles that keep your hair stretched is a great way to help minimise single strand knots. When your hairs are stretched it lessens the likelihood of them wrapping around each other thus keeping single strand knots at bay. Twist outs and braids may be good choices for a stretched style.
- Keep your hair well moisturised
Keeping natural hair well moisturised is a must for healthy, supple hair. But did you know that well moisturised hair can also help to minimise single strand knots. Keeping your hair well moisturised keeps dryness (which can lead to tangles) at bay. Regular deep conditioning also helps to keep hair healthy, moisturised and supply.
- Use the LOC method
The LOC method is a way to add and seal in moisture to the hair. You simple apply a liquid to your hair, seal this with an oil and then seal again using a cream. This method is a great way to keep your ends well lubricated. Remember that dry hair can very easily tangle around itself whereas well moisturised and lubricated hair reduces the risk of tangles.
- Protect your hair at night.
During sleep we toss and turn which causes friction of our hair strands, which in turn can cause them to twist and loop around each other leading to single strand knots. To minimise this opt for sleeping with a satin or silk pillowcase, headscarf or hair bonnet.
Why does coily (4C) hair tend to tangle so much?
If you have 4c coily hair then you may notice you experience a lot of tangles. This is due to the tight coils in your hair being more susceptible to wrapping around themselves and each other. In general people with looser hair types experience less single strand knots. However try not to worry about it, simply follow the tips we have given and they should help to reduce the amount of single stand knots you get.
In Conclusion
Single strand knots are a natural part of our natural hair journey so try not to stress out about them too much. The best way to minimise them is to take intentional steps and follow a good natural hair care routine. With a little effort and some tender loving care you will soon see the number of single strand knots you are currently experiencing decrease.
