why are there loops and knots in my hair? help!

[preciousstone]

Okay.. i just almost had a heart attack. i noticed these big knots in my hair.. in the middle of the strands.. and then i started inspecting the hair that is falling out ... it has little loops in the middle of the hair..almost the texture of ng but in the middle of the strand.. it almost looks like my dh's ingrown hairs

i tried to take a pic but i could get a clear shot of the strands.. As some of you know.. i'm stretching and was battling with some breakage.. i thot i had it in the bag cuz the last few days i've been dousing my hair with coconut oil and it looked like the breakage was subsiding.. needless to say, i havent been combing my hair.. and my ng which is crazy unruly and hard as rocks hasn't really gotten any better either...

but when i saw these knots i panicked and clarify wash and dc'd with aussie deep... when i came out of the dc it looked like my hair was annoyed with too much moisture cuz it was breaking more than ever.. but in a stringing-pop kinda way...


anyway.. has anyone experienced knotting and looped hair this?

 

[preciousstone]

bumping in desperation!

 

[Sugarhoney]

I have fine hair & I get these knots, but at the ends & not middle. Maybe you are not moisturizing your hair enough or over shampooing. At least for me, when I shampoo a lot (in the winter for straight styles) is when I get the most knots. Tone down on the Aussie Deep, I think it might be what is giving you the tangles--that is why I don't use it any more. Aphoogee 2 min is what helps me with the knots & tangles, it also strengthens the hair, but doesn't make it hard and acceptable to breakage. Some people can't go without detangling and that is were the knots are coming from. Or maybe try a protective style for a while so that you won't get breakage.

 

[Neith]

Sounds like single strand knots.

I think that everyone with kinky hair gets them because of the texture of our hair. Our hair shrinks and shrivels on itself, and sometimes makes actual knots.

I've even heard of relaxed heads getting them.

I cut mine out. No biggie, it's just like doing a search and destroy for split ends. In fact, I think that single strand knots are considered to be a type of split end...

You can prevent single strand knots by keeping your hair detangled. Also, if your hair is kinky/curly, don't let it just airdry in it's natural state. Stretching the hair out - whether it be a braid out, rollerset or any other type of style - really helps to reduce how much the hair wraps around itself.

You'll probably always get them now and then, everyone on the planet has some split ends... but you can prevent it and don't be afraid to snip them.

Hope that helped.

 

[MissNina]

I think it might be over shampooing. . .most likely by not detangling enough. I get these sometimes when I haven't detangled in a really long time and the further I get into a stretch.

What helps me is prepooing with Lustrasilk Shea Butter Mango cholesterol and EVOO. I warm it up in the microwave, apply it to the new growth and a little down past it like a relaxer. Then I focus on the heavily tangled areas, apply a lot of it there and rub it in (the knots) a little to loosen it up. I leave it on for at least an hour, usually overnight. Then I rinse and wash as usually. . .making sure to keep my hair straight back and not to cause additional tangles. I also make sure to apply my DC like a relaxer to help loosen the tangles more.

When I'm done with the final rinse, I also apply a detangler and leave in.

 

[preciousstone]

thank you soo much ladies.. i feel a lil better.. i thot my hair was turning into an alien or smthg..

 

[preciousstone]

Sounds like single strand knots.

I think that everyone with kinky hair gets them because of the texture of our hair. Our hair shrinks and shrivels on itself, and sometimes makes actual knots.

I've even heard of relaxed heads getting them.

I cut mine out. No biggie, it's just like doing a search and destroy for split ends. In fact, I think that single strand knots are considered to be a type of split end...

You can prevent single strand knots by keeping your hair detangled. Also, if your hair is kinky/curly, don't let it just airdry in it's natural state. Stretching the hair out - whether it be a braid out, rollerset or any other type of style - really helps to reduce how much the hair wraps around itself.

You'll probably always get them now and then, everyone on the planet has some split ends... but you can prevent it and don't be afraid to snip them.

Hope that helped.

this is sooo informative.. THANKS.. i have at least 3 of these in the strands i've seen on the floor!!!

 

[sherann]

I have been getting a lot of knots and tangles too. I never thought of the shampoo as the culprit ( I use a moisturizing one)...you learn something new everyday!

 

[MissNina]

I have been getting a lot of knots and tangles too. I never thought of the shampoo as the culprit ( I use a moisturizing one)...you learn something new everyday!

It may not necessarily be the shampoo, it may be the technique you use WHEN you shampoo. If that makes sense.

 

[calmsensual1]

that chart was very informative. how are white spots formed? anyone know?

 

[LongHairNWaiting]

Neith,

Good visual!! Very good research and explanation. I must commend you on that!

Peace and Blessings Ladies...
Keep Growing, and growing, and growing....