Does your natural hair feel overwhelmed with so many knots and split ends, you're starting to question all your life decisions? Trust us, we get it. Tangled strands are an all-too-common phenomenon with curls and coils, and they can manifest in many forms like split ends and single-strand knots, leaving your hair unmanageable and prone to breakage. But friends, there is a rainbow at the end of this knotted storm. With a few key steps and slight changes to your hair routine, you can tackle those knots and split ends.
In this article, we'll be discussing a few ways you can prevent knots and split ends while keeping your natural hair happy and healthy.
What Causes Knot And Split Ends On Natural Hair?
Split ends occur on the ends of our hair which are generally the oldest and weakest part. Once the hair is weak, it becomes dry and brittle and can eventually splinter to form a split end. Knots, on the other hand, are a normal phenomenon that happens as a result of your natural hair texture. See, if you have curly or coily hair, your hair tends to curl around itself and that increases the chances of it getting tangled and forming knots.
Split Ends Vs Single Strand Knots
Split ends occur on the ends of the hair strands. They cause the hair fibres to become weak and eventually splinter. Split ends can occur in different forms like a Y-split, tapered split or a split into two parts.
On the other hand, single-strand knots occur when a hair strand curls up into itself and becomes tangled. They are also called fairy knots. Now, while both split ends and fairy knots are equally damaging to the hair, split ends are like the initial phase of the knot. Once a split end progresses further up the hair shaft, it will eventually loop around itself and turn into a fairy knot. Both issues can badly damage the hair and make it harder to detangle and style. Over time, they will also weaken your hair strands and cause them to snap off at different points. This will make it harder for you to retain length if you aim to grow long hair.
9 Ways To Prevent Split Ends And Knots On Natural Hair
1. Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise!
Yeah, we know, we said it three times to emphasize how important it is. Dry and brittle hair is a prime breeding ground for the creation of knots and split ends. If your hair lacks moisture, friction will cause the strands to become tangled with each other, creating the knots and splits you are desperately trying to avoid. Try to moisturise your hair at least twice a week. You may need to do it more often than that depending on how porous your hair is but twice should be the bare minimum. To moisturise your hair, you can spritz some water on it and apply Sofnfree's Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner or use our Everyday Curl Refresh Spray if you prefer a lightweight moisturiser.
2. Keep Your Hair Stretched
As we have already explained, natural hair likes to curl up and fold back into itself, which is why the chances of getting knots and tangles are very high when the hair is in its most natural state. However, you can prevent that by keeping the hair stretched as often as you can. This does not mean you have to use heat to straighten the hair at all. You can put the hair in twists, plaits, and cornrows, the goal is to simply elongate out your curls and keep them from shrinking, not to completely straighten them.
3. Set Your Hair Before Going To Bed
When you are asleep, your hair tends to move about especially if you toss and turn a lot in your sleep. Over time, this can lead to split ends and knots. However, if you set the hair in a style that keeps all your strands in one place, you can reduce that excess movement. Before Going to bed, make sure to put the hair in a bun or plait to keep it from being loose. Then wear a silk or satin bonnet to further protect it from friction.
You can also use hair ties or scrunchies to band the hair from roots to ends, this will be super helpful to anyone who likes to rock wash n’ go's as keeping the hair completely banded will help reduce shrinkage and keep tangles in check.
4. Trim Regularly
5. Include A Deep Conditioner In Your Routine
Deep conditioning the hair with a hair mask like Sofnfree's Manuka Honey & Avocado Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Mask will strengthen your hair strands and reduce any split ends you may have. It will also load the hair with enough moisture to keep it from drying out and getting tangled when you try to style it. Try to deep condition the hair twice a month to maintain a healthy balance between moisture and protein. However, if your hair is extremely dry and brittle, you can deep condition weekly.
6. Wear More Protective Styles
If split ends are the bane of your existence, keeping your ends tucked in is a great way to keep them in check. The best way to do this is to wear protective styles more often. These hairstyles include things like cornrows, braids, twists, and flat twists and they help keep your hair strands from being over manipulated and exposed to tangles. The great thing about protective styles is that you can wear them for a week or more, but it always helps to use something like our Stylers Bundle to keep them frizz-free and neat for as long as possible.
7.Seal Your Hair With A Hair Oil
Hair oiling is another fantastic way to keep knots and tangles in check. Oils can lubricate your strands and seal in moisture for longer. This will ultimately prevent your hair from drying out and reduce the formation of tangles when your strands collide with each other. You can apply some of our Hair & Scalp Oil to your hair after moisturising or use it to do an oil rinse as the last step on your wash days. Try to focus on your ends if you have really bad split ends.
8. Use The Right Detangling Tools
Detangling your curls regularly is also very important as it will help you eliminate all shed hairs and keep them from getting knotted up with the rest of your hair. Try to properly detangle your hair every wash day and be sure to do so with the right tools. Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush with widely spaced bristles that can easily detangle your curls and avoid fine tooth combs. Combs with very fine or tiny bristles are not designed to easily glide through curly hair, so they can pull at your ends and cause more knots.
9. Avoid Combing Dry Hair
You may have heard that it is best to comb your hair when it is dry in the past, but that advice does not apply to natural hair with its curls and coils. When you comb your curls dry, you increase the friction between the strands and could create knots and split ends in the process. Comb your hair when it is damp or wet to lubricate your strands and make it easy for your comb or brush to glide through. To further minimise split ends, detangle the ends of your hair first and then work your way up to the roots.
Split ends and single-strand knots can be an absolute nightmare for your natural hair when they are not properly dealt with. However, if you stick with the tips and tricks we talked about above, you will not only reduce them but even prevent them from happening completely. Consistency is essential so make sure you stick with the tips we’ve mentioned and include them in your hair routine for beautiful and healthy natural hair.