Rehairducation

SINGLE STRAND KNOTS

I used some knitting wool for illustration. Lets pretend that these are strands of hair.

Knots, tangles and matted hair can easily lead to breakage and damage so it is best to avoid them.
A common problem many natural haired ladies complain about is single strand knots also known as fairy knots. Although texlaxed and relaxed ladies can experience this sometimes it is far more common for natural haired ladies.

I am writing this post as an attempt to ensure posts on Hairducation cater to ladies of all hair types. In this post I will discuss what single strand knots are, the effects they have on hair, how to avoid getting them and what to do if you already have them.

 

WHAT ARE SINGLE STRAND KNOTS

Single strand knots occur when one strand of hair folds unto itself and forms a knot which eventually tightens until it forms a very tiny firm knot. They tend to occur towards the ends ( last few inches) of each strand of hair.

pixlr_20160204172649244

Some strands may have one single knot while others may have several knots of each strand ( see the picture below.

I tend to notice the ones in my hair when I am moisturising and sealing and I feel the tiny knot towards the ends.  The reason they occur more often in ladies with natural hair is because their hair is full of curls, coils and kinks which curl and wind around itself more easily and more often than straight hair.

 

EFFECTS OF SINGLE STRAND KNOTS

Single strand knots can lead to bigger knots and tangles if other strands of hair latch on to the knot. Because the knots tend to become noticeable when it has already become extremely tight, it is often difficult to undo. Most times, they have to be cut out which will lead to thinner ends and shorter hair over time especially if there are loads knots to get rid off.

 

HOW TO KEEP THEM AT BAY

The following are normal parts of a hair regimen which we should be completing. It may not be possible to have hair that is 100% free of single strand knots but if you are notice that you are getting more and more single strand knots in your hair it me be a sign that you are slacking on one of the points below.

1) Keep your hair detangled and stretched
Knots are more likely to form when natural hair is left in its shrunken state. Natural that is well detangled and stretched is less likely to latch on to itself and form a knot. Thorough detangling can be time consuming but if longer thicker hair is what you desire you have to be willing to put in the time and effort it takes to retain as much length as possible. I tend to notice single strand knots in my hair when I’ve slacked on detangling for a few days.

This is a good point to remind us all that fingers are what should be used to detangle not a comb. Your fingers can feel and remove tangles in your hair whilst a comb will simply pull or tear through a tangle. Combs should only be used to smoothen hair after it has been finger detangled.

2) Moisturise and seal regularly
Moisturising and sealing helps to soften hair. The oil or butter which seals in moisture and lubricates the hair thereby reducing friction between the hair fibres. This helps the hair to slide more easily and have less chance of catching and looping round itself to form a single stand knot.

3)Wear protective styles
Styles such as buns, chignons and up-do’s protect our hair from physical and environmental damage but they also play a major role in keeping single strand knots at bay. These styles keep the hair confined so that it is not free to move and tangle around its self. They also help to keep natural hair stretched for longer.

 

HOW TO GET RID OF SINGLE STRAND KNOTS

If you already have single strand knot, what should you do? Cut it off. Some ladies try to untangle single starnd knots but this is usually only possible IF the knot is still a little loose. If however the knot has tightened and is very taut the best thing to do is to cut the knot out using a sharp hair shears/scissors.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and that you found it worth reading.  Have you experienced single strand knots?  What do you think is the cause of you getting them in your hair?
I have my final review of the Nazuri Curls review, another bun of the month pictorial and a hair update coming up next so come back soon ladies.

x

Lade
Learn | Change | Grow

BUN OF THE MONTH SERIES

Hello ladies,

It’s no secret that I love my buns for a whole host of reasons, the first being that I don’t like to spend too much time creating a hair style.
Another reason is that for a lot of black women, protective styling is important if you would like to retain more length. So because of my hair journey, buns became my comfort zone and go to hair style.
The third and most important reason for me is the fact that I genuinely LOVE buns. I think there is a bun for any outfit or occasion.

Over the years I have created and sometimes copied many super quick buns. I decided to start a Bun of the Month series in which I will share my favourite buns and how I created them.

THE CROSSOVER TOP BUN

pixlr_20160126205127123

 

HOW I DID IT

pixlr_20160126204752787-01

I hope you enjoyed the post. Will you be trying out this style?

x

Lade

Learn | Change | Grow

 

 

 

HAIR UPDATE : 13 Weeks Post

 

Hello ladies

I am currently 13 weeks post and let’s just say the honeymoon is over. I switched to my wig regimen about 3 weeks ago. As I mentioned several times I use wigs to help me with stretching my relaxers to 22 weeks or more. I wash my hair every 3 weeks when wearing wigs and recently had a wash day.

2016-01-19 13.48.08

I have about an inch and half of new growth and loads of different textures going on. This causes my hair to form bigger knots and tangle faster than when it is freshly texlaxed. My hair also feels coarser and I have to step up on moisturising and sealing to prevent my hair from feeling too dry. Also my hair does not look as smooth and flowy as when it is freshly texlaxed.

pixlr_20160119134203236

This picture was taken 2 days after my wash day. I air dried on my wash day so its not as sleek as when I blow dry.

What I do love about my hair when it’s this deep into my stretch is the volume at the roots. Despite its many challenges I would rather stretch my relaxers for as long as I can manage because in the long run its helps me reduce the risk or over processing my hair. A stretch is one of areas of a hair journey where the saying no pain no gain. I have at least 9 more weeks to go before I texlax so I am going to make the most of it and enjoy my hair one way or the other.

 

pixlr_20160119133404170

Are you on a stretch? If yes, how many weeks post are you and what challenges are you facing with your hair?

The next post will be a hair style pictorial and will be up really soon.

X

Lade

Learn | Change | Grow

 

 

COLOURING HAIR WITH NATURAL HAIR DYES

Henna

Natural alternatives for dyeing hair have been available for many centuries and are commonly used amongst Indian women. Henna and Indigo are some of the most widely used all natural hair dyes and I will discuss what they are, how they are used and their pros and cons in this blog post. So if you are interested in colouring your hair and would rather stay away from the harsh commercial dyes this post is a must read.

HENNA

What is Henna and How Is It Used
Henna is a plant derived dye which is sold in a powder form that tends to be greenish in colour. The henna powder must be mixed with a low PH liquid such as lemon juice and this will cause the henna powder to release its dye. Some ladies add other natural ingredients such as honey and green tea to enhance the colour or richness of the henna. The paste is left to sit for about 8 or more hours to allow dye release to occur. The paste (mix of henna powder, lemon juice and other ingredients if added) can then be applied to hair and left on for a few hours.

Henna can be very drying because the deposits bind very well to the cuticles ( out layers) of our hair, similar to the way protein conditioners work. It is therefore important that you rinse your hair thoroughly and follow with a moisturising deep condition.

Henna paste

What Kind of Colour Can Be Achieved
100% henna can only give dark hair colours in the red(ish), brown(ish), orange(ish) or burgundy range. Any henna dye which claims to give hair colours outside this range is likely to have been mixed with other ingredients and may not be safe for use. Always purchase what is known as Body Art Quality (BAQ) henna for use on your hair. Sites such as…… and The intensity of the colour will depend on your own hair, how long you leave the dye on for and how regularly you use henna on your hair. If you would like to dye your hair a dark brown or black colour, indigo, which is another natural dye may be used after henna to achieve a dark colour. This will be discussed further below.

 

How Long Does It Last and How Often can You Use it
Henna hair dye is a semi-permanent hair colour and lasts for a few weeks. Henna can be used every 4 to 6 weeks. Foe ladies who are relaxed, it can be used two weeks after relaxing   your hair.

 

INDIGO

What is Indigo and How Is It Used Indigo is also a plant derived dye that comes in a powder form and is greenish in colour. When mixed with water to form a paste the powder will release its dye. Unlike henna the paste does not have to sit for hours for full dye release to occur. Indigo should only be applied after henna has been rinsed out. Using indigo alone will result in blue hair or the colour may not take.

What Colours can Be Achieved
When used after henna, Indigo will give hair a black or blue-black colour. How Often can it be used Indigo can be used after every henna application.

Pros of Natural Hair Colours

  • It can be used on all hair types and
  • It can be used on hair that has been previously coloured with chemical hair dyes
  • Temporaily thickens hair because the colour deposits sits on top of each hair fiber thereby increasing its diameter
  • It has strengthening and conditioning properties
  • It covers gray hair well.

Cons of Natural Hair Colours

  • It can be time consuming to prepare and use
  • It is temporary and will fade gradually over a few weeks.
  • Application can be messy and can stains your clothes permanently and your hands temporarily. So it is best you wear clothes you don’t care about during the process.
  • Some natural haired ladies note that henna loosens/changes their natural curl pattern….some ladies don’t mind this and this is actually a desired result for some.
  • They are not as readily available as commercial dyes. You have to either other them online, purchase them from Indian stores or healthy hair stores that carry natural treatments and dyes.

 

Patch Test
Please note that although henna and indigo are all natural some ladies may react to it. I recommend that you test them on a small section of your hair to ensure you do not have an allergy to either of them

Do Your Home Work
Please note that the content of this post gives an overview of henna and indigo. If you would like to use henna and indigo i recomend that you do more research on the various methods of making the paste and applying it on the reputable websites and good old YouTube.
And that is the basic gist on natural hair colours. Although I don’t use either henna or indigo at the moment I can see it in my future when i have loads of grey hair. Because I don’t plan on giving up texlaxing anytime soon , natural hair colours is most likely going to be my future hair colour.

 

My next post will be my hair update and a hair style pictorial.  Come back soon.

X

Lade

Learn | Change | Grow

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy new year ladies

Every new year gives me the chance to say thank you for stopping by, for your kind words of encouragement and support, for sharing your success stories with me, for being nice when I meet you at events or when I am out and about, for challenging me to dig a little deeper with your questions.
Although I did not spend as much time on the blog as I would have liked to last year, please know that I don’t take all the above for granted.

2015 was filled with some highs which I thank God for and some lows which I have learnt from.   As always I have plans for to make Hairducation better in 2016 and I have a some new things to share and hope to improve on so many aspects. I hope more of my plans come to fruition than it did in 2015.

I hope that this year brings you good health and happiness, peace and love, success and fulfilment in all the big things and little things that make your life.

2016

I also think about people around the world who face unbelievable challenges everyday and remember them in my prayers.
I thank God we made it….with so much to be grateful for.

Kumbaya mode over and back to the matter…the first post is coming right up

Happy hair journey

X

Lade

Learn and Grow