There is nothing more frustrating than having single-strand knots—also known as fairy knots—stunt your hair growth. If you do not know what single-strand knots are, they are exactly as the name implies. They are individual hair strands that wrap around themselves or intertwine with other strands, creating tight little knots generally at the ends of your hair.
Let’s face it: even when we take proper care of our hair, we are still likely to get acquainted with these tiny, disrespectful hair pests. Some of us experience them more than others, especially those with textured, kinky, and tightly coiled hair like myself.
One cannot permanently exterminate single-strand knots, unless you have reached your wits end and have made the conscious decision to completely shave your head once and for all. However, do not fret! I am going to share with you seven hair care practices (in no particular order) that I have incorporated into my hair regimen to minimize those killer knots, and retain length—so the thought of shaving your head never has to cross your mind.
1. Moisturize Regularly
Moisture is an essential for maintaining healthy hair. When your hair is properly moisturized, it thrives, staying pliable, hydrated, and increases elasticity. In contrast, an absence of moisture can leave your strands looking dull and feeling dry and brittle. This makes your hair prone to breakage, split ends, tangles, and single-strand knots.
Because your hair structure is unique in its natural state, it often requires a bit more maintenance than those with straightened hair. In its natural state, your hair coils, curls, bends, and kinks. This tight pattern physically prohibits sebum—our scalp’s natural oil—from easily spreading down the hair shaft, which naturally contributes to dryness along the length of your hair.
With that in mind, go to great lengths to ensure your hair gets the hydration it requires. Focus heavily on the ends (remember, they are the oldest part of your hair!) and seal in that moisture to keep your cuticles smooth and tightly closed.
Remember: “Too much of anything is bad for you.” Be cautious of over-moisturizing, as it can weaken the hair cuticle over time and cause hygral fatigue. Pay close attention to your hair and apply moisture as needed.
2. Trim Your Ends
*Cues in “Cut it” by O.T. Genasis Ft. Young Dolph*
Ladies and gents, please trim your ends! I get it—as emotional creatures, we tend to hold onto things that were once near and dear to our hearts. However, I am here to tell you: Let. That. Shit. Go. It is serving you no purpose at all.
Simply put, a good indication of when your hair needs a trim is when your ends look and feel rough. For instance, when you detect ends that are often splitting, dry, straggly, frizzy, or prone to tangling, you need to cut it (cut it, cut it, cut it, cut it). Always ensure you are trimming your ends with professional hair shears for a precise cut and to avoid causing future split ends.
Generally, a quarter of an inch is the standard recommendation for a trim. Personally, I find that there is no golden rule—to each their own. You know your hair better than anyone else. If you do not, start paying close attention to your hair needs and form a relationship with your hair. Free your hair from those split ends and knots in exchange for hair that feels smooth, appears even, and looks thick. Your length retention will thank you in the long run.
3. Condition and/or Deep Condition Regularly
(During Wash Day)
Aside from moisture, conditioners are an imperative component in your wash day regimen. Conditioners—whether you are using a quick rinse-out formula or an intensive deep conditioning mask—are intended to improve three vital things: your hair’s appearance, feel, and texture.
A quality conditioner with good slip will make your wash days a breeze, especially during the detangling stage. Applying a rich conditioner while your hair is wet will loosen up those tangles and knots, improving manageability while softening and strengthening the strands.
Did you know? Lipids, oils, and emollients are the specific ingredients used to improve comb-through and manageability? Tip:When searching for a conditioner with a good slip look for ingredients ending in:
- -conol or -cone (silicones)
- -col or -xane
- -butter or oil
4. Reduce Hair Manipulation
The best hair care practice I have embraced over the years is to keep it simple. We have all heard the expression, “less is more,” and while we apply it to other areas of our lives, the exact same rule holds true for our hair. When you over-manipulate your hair with heat, combs and brushes, hair colours and weaves, you are actually doing more damage than good. You are creating unnecessary hair friction.
Hair friction occurs when individual hair strands rub against each other, causing the outer cuticles to lift. And, when your cuticles lift, your hair becomes susceptible to interlocking, resulting in tangles and knots which in turn can lead to breakage. To keep these knots at bay, embrace low-manipulation styles that allow your hair to rest and thrive.
5. Satin/Silk To Protect Your Hair
Investing in satin or silk head headscarves, pillowcases, or bonnets is one of the greatest preventative measures you can take at night to avoid frizz, split ends, and single-strand knots while retaining your hair’s moisture. When preventive measures are not being taken to protect your hair at night, the fabric of a cotton pillowcase or blanket creates friction and can draw out moisture from your hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and knotted.
6. Stretch Your Hair
Hair shrinkage is real!
What is hair shrinkage? Hair shrinkage is a decrease in length that happens when wet hair dries, making your hair appear significantly shorter than it actually is. It can also occur in humid climates. While shrink rate vary from person to person, , textured hair can shrink up to 50-80% of its true length.
Although shrinkage is a sign of healthy, elastic hair, the knotting that most of us encounter when our coils shrink is downright disrespectful! To avoid the tangling that comes with shrinkage, it is advisable to stretch your hair while it is damp or wet. Ways to stretch your hair include: Braids or twist, African threading, and banding.
7. Avoid Certain Hairstyles
Last but not least, be mindful of specific styles. Believe it or not, free-flowing hairstyles like braid-outs, twist-outs, and wash-and-gos that can trigger single-strand knots. When you wear your hair in these styles, your ends are constantly exposed to elements. When your ends are exposed, friction occurs every time your hair rubs against your clothing or jackets. As mentioned before, humidity will cause those loose styles to shrink up and trigger tiny knots. To combat this, try to implement protective hairstyles that keep your ends tucked away and secure.
In The Comments Below
Let me know in the comments which of these seven steps you currently use to keep your knots at bay.
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