Fairy Knots aka single strand knots are common in the natural hair community. They are tiny, stubborn knots that form in single strands of hair. They occur most often in natural, curly, kinky, and coily hair types.
I get the single strand knots in my hair from time to time and if I am not careful, my ends will become a briar patch. Below are some tips I have used to avoid single strand knots. Some tips I have avoided due to my hair type.
- Get regular trims. You and your hair will love it. Dry, jagged strangely ends are more susceptible to knotting. By getting the regular trims, it will save time and frustration. Your hair will thank you because this will result in less frizz and make detangling more of a breeze. Split ends and excessive tangles at the end of your hair are clear signs and symptoms that a trim is needed.
- Detangle your hair and especially your ends fully. The ends are where the fairy knots occur so detangling fully and gently will help diminish the knots away. Not to mention the hair and you will thank you tremendously. Also removing tangles also helps the shed hair from re-tangling into other strands causing more tangles and single strand knots.
- Protect your ends. A way to do this is protective styling. Keeping it up and tucked away from garments such as coats, collar which causes frictions and can cause knotting/tangling of the hair
- Properly moisturizing and sealing the hair can also decrease single strand knots. Keeping your ends hydrated leaves for the hair to be soft and more manageable. This will allow for hair and ends to be straight and will prevent the hair from going into neighboring hairs which causes tangles and knots.
- Like protective styles consider wearing more stretched styles. Straighter hair has a harder time to coil and get tangled. Try styles such as roller sets, braid outs and twist outs are some styles to try to keep the coils more manageable.
- Try essential oils and hair greases, especially on the ends. The oils and grease lubricate the strands which helps reduce friction tangling and knotting.
- Use reconstructing conditioners. Incorporating reconstructing conditioners in the hair routine can benefit the hair causing hair to strengthen the which can reduce fairy/single strand knots.
- Maintain hair at night. Before going to bed, braid or twist the hair in sections to decrease the friction and matting that can be caused while the hair is loose.
- Detangle the hair before shampooing. When the hair is not detangled water will cause the curls to tighten and can cause havoc for any existing knot or tangle in the hair. Doing this will save time and frustration before and after the shampooing the hair.
- Wash your hair in a downward motion. During wash days try washing hair where it falls in a downward motion. This helps keep the hair free of tangles. While washing finger comb gently down the hair shaft.
Wrap Up
Fairy/single strands knots are not going away unfortunately. With these provided tips, I hope to have provided some relief of the frustrations that come along with dealing with natural hair. What are some other ways that you use to eliminate fairy/ single strand knots?
