When you hear about fairy knots (also known as single-strand knots), what comes to mind? Do you think they are especially cute and adorable? The truth is quite the opposite. For people with curly, coily, and frizzy hair, single-strand knots can be particularly annoying and infuriating. Single-strand knots are multiple strands of hair that have tangled together to form a small knot that can be painful to deal with and almost impossible to untangle. In today's article, we'll tell you what single-strand knots are and how to avoid them.
Single-strand knots, also known as fairy knots, but scientifically called trichomoniasis, refer to a small, tight knot formed when individual strands of hair are twisted together, like tiny beads along the hair. They're usually small and hard to see, but you can definitely feel them when you run your fingers through your hair.
Of course not. Single-strand knots in your hair are perfectly normal and do not indicate poor hair health or that you are not taking good care of your hair. To be frank, people with naturally curly hair are more likely to develop knots because their hair is tighter in texture and less porous.
After learning what a single-strand knot is, do you want to know what may be causing it? Here, we will inform you about the reasons that lead to single-strand knots, so let's take a look.
Damage to the hair shaft is one of the most common ways to cause single-strand knots in your hair. Using heat styling tools and harsh chemicals on our hair regularly, scratching it hard, and washing it frequently can all cause damage to our hair cuticle. When the cuticle is damaged, it bulges, which causes other things to hang easily on the hair shaft, and eventually, they can get tangled together and form single-strand knots.
Another way in which single chain knots form is when the hair is extra dry. When the hair is dry, not only does it break easily, but the ends of the hair become frayed, which can cause single-strand knots to form more easily because the hair is more likely to tangle together when it is dry and brittle.
Have you ever heard that wet hair can also lead to the formation of single-strand knots? Yes, you heard it right. Single-strand knots can also form when hair is wet. This is because hair is more flexible and stretches more easily when wet. If you stretch your hair too long, it will break and fray, thus forming single-strand knots.
If you are experiencing single-strand knots (fairy knots), then you must be particularly distressed right now and want to find a way to get rid of them quickly, right? Below, we will show you some tips and tricks to free yourself from single-strand knots, please read carefully.
When you notice a single-strand knot in your hair, your first instinct is probably to comb through the knot, but this can make things worse. The most productive method to get rid of single-strand knots in your hair is to avoid any kind of brushing or combing through the knot, as this will add tension and only strengthen the knot. The most important thing you should do is untangle the knots by using your index finger and thumb to separate strands of hair from each other.
Regular deep conditioning of your hair and moisturizing your strands can help you get rid of single-strand knots very well. One of the reasons for the formation of single-strand knots is dry hair, so to avoid this you need to condition your hair regularly to avoid dry hair. You can use conditioners or hair masks which will leave your hair soft and bouncy, thus minimizing single-strand knots.
Changing your hairstyle to a protective style, like braids, twists, etc. can also help you get rid of single-strand knots. Protective hairstyles that tuck your ends away can minimize friction on your hair. In addition, it can also help you avoid environmental factors, such as weather causes, pollution, etc. on your hair. In short, protective hairstyles can help you to avoid single-strand knots to the maximum extent.
Regular hair trimming can help you avoid your hair forming single-strand knots. Hair put into ends is more fragile than new growth, more prone to split ends, and more likely to form single-strand knots. Therefore, if you want to get rid of fairy knots, you need to trim your hair regularly as this will prevent split ends and keep the ends healthy, thus avoiding the formation of single-strand knots. You should ideally trim it every 2-3 months.
If you don't want single-strand knots in your hair, then you may need to protect your hair 24/7. For example, use silk or satin pillowcases or caps to protect your hair at night when you sleep, as they reduce friction on your hair and make it less dry, thus avoiding single-strand knots. Also, in windy conditions, you can wear a satin hat to protect your curls from single-strand knots.
Regular visits to a hair care professional are also an essential approach to keeping single strands from tangling. Your stylist can assess your hair's condition and help you determine if your hair needs any rebuilding or protein treatments to improve its condition. You can visit your stylist once every three to four months, but if you have a lot of single-strand tangles then you can visit more often.
After reading this article, do you have a good understanding of how to avoid single-strand knots in your hair?