How to Get Rid of Fairy Knots in Natural Hair

We did say the top knot was a style that everyone could get involved with. Although the man bun has been around for a while now, you can stay on trend by keeping the sides of your hair short and the top long. Classy and minimalistic, it’s an elegant take on the top knot that will suit every occasion, from weddings to dates, evening dinners and Bohemian summer looks. No matter how thoroughly you moisturize 4C hair, without a good sealing routine, you risk losing all that moisture to evaporation.

Dealing With Knotted Hair

With this in mind, you might consider a heat protectant-detangler combo, like this pick from Ceremonia. It contains natural ingredients that promise to safeguard your hair from the sun's UV rays, blue light from electronic devices, and heat styling up to 450 degrees. As Moore notes, a lack of hydration is often to blame for tangles and mats. And the last thing you want to do is try to get knots out of dry, brittle hair. With this in mind, Bed Head Beach Freak moisturizes thirsty strands all the way to their core while detangling and smoothing your hair.

How to Detangle Straight or Wavy Knotty Hair

If you have fine hair that is prone to breakage, look for a detangling brush that has extra thin, flexible bristles. Place your fingers in the loops and try to gently ease your hair out of the knotted mess. Tug sideways and not downwards, as downwards will only tighten the knots and make them less manageable. Put on a nice show or some music to keep yourself preoccupied and even pour yourself a nice glass of wine or a cup of hot cocoa. Depending on how knotted your hair is, the detangling process can take well over an hour to complete.

Why Hair Becomes Knotted

As far as products are concerned, adding a strengthening deep conditioner such as Mielle’s Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner to your routine will help to improve your hair’s strength and elasticity. You can also start incorporating natural hair oil into your daily routine. The major concern is when it becomes a problem, and a single – or sometimes double – knot occurs. Shorter curly hair and tightly coiled hair types are most prone to single-strand knots.

"Tangling is more common in dry and damaged hair because the cuticles don’t lie flat, which allows strands to snag against each other and become intertwined," says Rubin. One way to reduce dryness is to use a sulfate-free shampoo, as these cleansers remove dirt without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Using a sulfate-free shampoo can minimize the drying of the hair that can happen with sulfate-based surfactants, explains Rubin. Your natural hair can be enhanced when you tip your head over and give it a good scrunch.

If you prefer pared-down products without strong fragrances, Briogeo's unscented Be Gentle, Be Kind might be right up your alley. Formulated with aloe vera, oat milk, and green tea, this naturally sourced detangling spray is easy on stressed hair and tough on knots. Spray it onto slightly damp or towel-dried hair and comb it through before air-drying or blow-drying. Suitable for all hair types, this lightweight, milky spray lubricates parched strands to untie knots and prevent more tangles.

17 Best Detangler Sprays in 2024 for Knot-Free Hair - Allure

17 Best Detangler Sprays in 2024 for Knot-Free Hair.

Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Satin pillowcases are less absorbent than their cotton counterparts, ensuring that your hair’s natural oils remain intact. This preservation of natural oils promotes well-moisturized and healthy hair. Additionally, the gentle surface of satin minimizes friction, preventing the formation of knots as you move during sleep. If you have single-strand knots that you cannot undo, do not try to comb them out or tear the hair apart. You also don’t want to use household scissors to remove the knots — this can do more harm than good. Knots should be cut out with the proper hair cutting shears or with the help of a professional.

We’ve seen this look all over the runway so it’s only right we included it in our top knot haul. Inspired by the bantu knots, this knot hawk is one way to get creative with your hair. Great for curly, afro, wavy and straight hair, we think this would make an epic summer hairdo. Not only are braids a great protective hairstyle but they’re also one sure-fire way to make a statement top knot that’s dripping with detail. Whether it’s French braids, box braids or twists, you can rest assured that you’ll be sporting an enviable bun. Make the most of unwashed hair and give yourself a natural face lift with this incredible scraped back look.

Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer

Knotted hair can be a sign that there’s hair damage; however, those with curly and thicker hair are more likely to get knots in their hair, and that doesn’t necessarily mean that their hair is damaged. If the knots aren’t detangled though, they could end up damaging your hair and causing a lot of breakage. This prevents breakage and allows you to section off your knotted hair into even smaller parts.

All hair types — from straight hair to coily hair — can get tangles and knots. However, curly and coily hair types are more prone to being tangled, per the AAD, since the curvy, spiral and zig-zag shape of the hair makes it easy to combine and knot. On the other side of the hair spectrum, curly and coily hair is best detangled and brushed when wet, confirms the AAD.

"Unfortunately, curly and kinky hair are more prone [to these] because they are produced by a flat and curvy hair follicle, which enables these smaller tangles." Oribe's Run-Through Detangling Primer is by far the best detangler product, easily untying knots and leaving smooth, silky hydration in its wake. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, you can count on Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry to get the job done. And in terms of detangling tools, your best bet is the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler. The iconic brand's detangling comb builds on the trusted quality of the original to effortlessly separate knotted hair and avoid weakening it further. The wide-toothed design is easy on your hair, allowing you to smooth and separate it without yanking or tugging on your scalp.

These knots feel like tiny beads along the hair shaft, and they can result in breakage during combing and styling. Throughout my natural hair journey, I’ve experienced single-strand knots, especially when I do not stretch my hair to style it. In order to know how to prevent these from happening, we need to figure out what causes them in the first place. Having naturally curly hair can feel like a full-time job, but considering the fact that it's the rarest of all hair types, it just means you and your fairy knots are extra special. Fairy knots also tend to occur in curly to kinky hair textures more often due to the hair follicles being oval-like in shape, which in turn, encourages tangles within single strands of hair. We tapped two experts to share their best tips for preventing and treating these stubborn knots.

With that said, you'll be glad to have a bottle of TGIN Quench on hand when you're working out the kinks. This triple-threat product can be used to wash, condition, moisturize, and detangle, and you can count on softer, smoother, shinier hair every time. Offering both a remedy for and protection from tangles, this moisturizing multifunctional product was made for naturally textured and curly hair. Thanks to Garnier, you can detangle your hair for just a few bucks.

Short of cutting out the knots, detangling your hair is not going to be easy. If you don’t try to get the knots out, it’ll only become a larger mess. Be mindful of hairsprays and backcombing, both of which encourage tangling and matting of hair fibers.