Neglecting your hair care routine for a few days can leave you with an unsettling do—and a few stubborn knots. Clumps of fallen hair become entangled with hair that’s still growing, creating an uncomfortable mat that can sometimes be impossible to work out. People with all hair types will encounter knotted hair on occasion, but those with curly hair tend to deal with knots more often than those with straighter hair textures. Knotted hair will happen from time to time but keeping a hair care routine in place that maintains healthy, hydrated hair will reduce the frequency of moments where you’ll find yourself standing in your bathroom, working conditioner through locks that won’t relent.
Knot about it
Knots form the same way in hair as they form in anything else; when hair strands get intertwined, they can form knots. Every day, typically the average person sheds about 50-100 strands of hair. When those hairs are shed, they may become entangled if there is too much friction against other hairs. Those with textured hair will frequently experience knotting because the coils of the curl intertwine, creating knots. You may also want to avoid rubbing your hair with a towel after taking a shower, which can cause the hair strands to wrap around each other, making bigger knots that you will have to remove one way or another.
Hair That’s Prone to Knots
Any hair type or texture can develop knots, but there are some types that are more prone to knots and matting. For example, longer hair does become more knotted than hair that is shooter, because there is more hair to get tangled. Also, hair that is typically dry or that is coiled will become knottier.
Curly Hair
Those who happen to have curly hair will also deal with knots more often than those with straight hair. There are even different types of knots that people with curly hair will often see in their locks. The typical knots are called “fairy knots” which contain multiple strands of hair but there are also “single strand knots”. A single strand knot is exactly as it sounds and comes from hair that has a tight curl. Hydration is key to maintaining curly hair not only for avoiding knotting, but also for enhancing growth and reducing hair frizz.
Detangling Spray
When it comes to treating knotty hair, there are proper ways to get them out. It is not recommended to aggressively brush your hair, hoping that smiling through the pain will get the knot out. This will actually pull more of your hair out, ultimately causing scalp irritation and even bald spots. It is best to start out with a detangling spray. Due to dry hair being more prone to tangles, using this spray helps the hair gain some moisture and reduced friction that can be used to work those annoying knots out. Though it can be applied to hair that is damp or dry, if used right after the shower, your hair will not hold the product, which counteracts the detangling effects.
Correct Brush
For some people, they need to use a certain brush or comb for their hair to look healthy and smooth. Using the correct brush will help work the knots out with minimal damage and pain. It is also worth investing in a comb that may be more expensive because it will yield better results on the hair. Make sure to gently work the brush through your hair in small sections to properly get those knots out.
Hair Cuts
Hair that gets really long will knot more often than hair that is shorter. Make sure you’re regularly trimming dry, frayed ends to keep hair healthy and knot-free. Long hair will have more split ends than freshly cut hair, and split ends are one of the primary culprits of knotted hair.
Braids
Falling asleep with your hair down can produce knots to deal with in the morning, especially if you toss and turn at night. Try sleeping with your hair in braids to avoid this. There are many different styles of braids that can help style your hair the next morning! Braids have been used as a protective hairstyle for hundreds of years, notably amongst people with tightly coiled hair. Try out this tactic to avoid hair knotting if you find knots in the back of your head when you wake up in the morning.
Silk/Satin Pillowcase
Pillowcases are most commonly made with cotton fabric, which is not the best fabric on hair. Because of cotton’s ability to absorb moisture, cotton pillowcases pull moisture out of the hair. A great alternative to the cotton pillowcase is investing in a silk or satin pillowcase. These are very soft fabrics on the hair and help keep the natural oils and moisture locked in, which helps against knots.
Struggling with knotty hair? Keranique offers a variety of hair care products to help you take your hair to the next level. Check out our products page to see the wide selection of products we provide our customers to help cater to their hair care needs and goals.
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