Single Strand Knots... why??? :(

                                                                       


                                                                      Other names for "Them"...

                                                                                       *SSK
                                                                                    *Fairy Knots
 
                                                                            What they are...
    Single strand knots are very tiny knots that form on a single strand of hair.  They are very common in 
type 4 natural hair.  Sometimes several knots can form on a single strand.  Seriously!?!?! 

                                                                      Ways to deal with them...
 Cut them out
     You can snip just above the tiny knots to get rid of them completely....for the moment lol.  Since you are only snipping a little off of a single strand, length loss isn't noticeable.  

 Unravel them
    Umm... this will require a lot of skills!  I have attempted this in my bangs and I was VERY unsuccessful lol.  

Let them be
    I've come to the realization that single strand knots in my 4C hair are just going to happen.  
It's inevitable :(    With such a tight curl pattern, my hair can help but ravel onto itself at some point in time.  

                                                                          


                                                                      Ways to prevent them...
*Keeping the hair moisturized
  Butters, oils, and conditioners are a must for moisturizing my 4c hair :)


*Frequent deep conditioning 
    Try using oils added to your conditioner


*Use protective styling 
    Updos, braids, buns, etc are great to keep knots at bay.  However, even if your hair is up and out of the way it will still need to be moisturized.


*Keep hands out of hair!  LOL  
    I seriously FAIL at this! 


*Detailed detangling
    I don't use a comb on my hair daily.  In fact, I comb my hair only when I'm feeling lots of knots.  My hair get very bushy when ever a comb touches it and I get knots regardless!  lol


*Keep up on trims
    I tend to only trim my hair when I notice the ends are scraggly or when I have too many single strand knots and tangles.

*Use gel 
  From time to time, I try to see what my fail would feel like if I don't use gel.  My results thus far have always been soft hair with a little to no hold and more knots and tangles...  so using gel makes a huge difference for me.


*Use heat
  I have not used this method to prevent single strand knots but if you choose to blowout your hair or straighten it, it will cut down on knotting.  I don't know when I will flat iron my hair.  I've been thinking about doing a light blow out...but I'm not sure lol.  I've been able to avoid heat (except my hooded dryer)  since big chopping and I don't miss using it :) 



                                                                          How I feel about them...
  I do not like that my hair gets single strand knots.  However, I'm just going to keep moving forward in making sure I keep a steady regimen.  I only cut knots when they are large or when there are several knots on a strand. ( I will be doing a "search and destroy" on my single strand knots soon...)  Other than that , I leave them alone.  I don't wear my hair straight at this time, so I don't need ultimate smooth strands. But it is very frustrating knowing that they are there...lol.  


What do you do about your single strand knots?  




Check out my YouTube video on SSK's  :)
SINGLE STRAND KNOTS! (Hair Talk)- NaturalMe4C