Affecting
Strands Across the Globe
Trichonodosis
How To Avoid
this Length Killer!
Trichonodosis (knotted hair) A trauma
induced knotting of the naturally curly/wavy/coily hair. This traumatic knot
can cause breakage, and lead decreased length retention. These Single strand knots are usually found on the lower part of the hair
strand. The knots fracture the cuticle and expose the cortex where these
knots form. So now these knots are weak points on the hair strand since
the cuticle layers are now bent into a knot shape, making detangling natural
hair even more complicated. These single strand knots can reduce your
length retention.
These knots are
weak points on the hair strand since the cuticle layers are now bent into a
knot shape, they simply intertwine with itself or other strands of hair, making
detangling natural hair even more complicated, they are normally on one strand
of hair, or more than one strand all together in one knot.
Because tightly curled hair is not
oval or round, like straight hair, but ribbon-shaped and does not lie flat, it
creates spirals which when pulled and released may lead to entangled hair
forming knots
Half-hitch knots have a pattern and
possibly could be detangled if they are not tight.
Shed hair, before leaving the scalp,
tends to tangle with other hairs forming knots on its way down the hair strand.
How to Save Your Tresses
Wrap up your hair at night. Hair that's free
during the night will be tangled and knotted in the morning. Use
the pineapple or the mini pineapple method to preserve curls,
and reduce tangles.
Wash and detangle hair in sections
Rock Low manipulation/protective styles
Keep your natural hair in a
stretched state as often as possible
Styling should prevent friction and
knot creation. Wearing the hair up means that hair is in a fixed position and
is not forming meet and greet knots with all of the other spiral hair strands.
This is a hard one because I like wearing my hair out and intend to do so when
it gets to my desired length. However, because I know when my hair is out it
means that it’s freely moving around tangling with other hair, I keep it moisturized and finger comb out any loose knots before they form into
tighter ones.
If you find yourself with a Single Strand Knot, use a safety pin and
put the needle right in the middle of the knot and gently loosen your damp
stands. I also unravel loose knots with my fingers using
my Home Made Detangling Mist & Lotion For Curly Hair
Sometimes, when none of the above
works. I cut these knots with a pair of barber’s scissors if the knots are
close to my ends. If they are too high up on my hair strand, I don’t cut it, I just can’t bare to.
Since making adjustments to my styling and detangling, I notice less SSN (Single Strand Knots) I do not straighten my hair often so the knots close to the root don't bother me.
Keeping your hair moisturized and your cuticles closed will also cut down on the single strand knots.
For curly girls, moisture equals soft healthy hair. Be sure to moisturize your hair prior to styling. Use Hot Oils, or a thick moisturizing condiioner before installing your next style. Before I twist or braid my hair I deep condition, and seal with heavy creams and butters. I also continue to hydrate my curls, spraying my ends, and/or oiling my scalp every 2-3 days while my hair is protected. In a spray bottle, I mix a leave in conditioner, water, and my preferred oil. Protective styling only gives you a break from styling. You must still continue a moisture routine with your protective style. Moisture is also the key to a successful low shedding take down. I use my water based homemade mist to moisturize my strand as I take down the style. I also use the mist to loosen and remove any lint tangled in my hair. Since using water based moisturizer, while taking down my styles I notice less shedding, and easier detangling after wearing protective styles for weeks.
