girl combing her hairHair knots usually form as a result of dry frizzy hair, and this makes hair very difficult to comb. In addition to this, the knots also give hair an unkempt look and this is what makes it important to know some of the home remedies you can use.

Hair knots are harder to manage in people with long hair as the strands tend to tangle and knot in a wider area. Even before highlighting some of the ready solutions available for this condition, it helps to know the factors that predispose you to getting hair knots.

Some of the root causes of hair knots include lack of moisture on the scalp resulting in dry hair, drying wet hair vigorously as well as excessive heat applied to the hair during styling techniques. Split ends, usually a sign of weak damaged hair, may also cause knots as the healthy strands tangle with the split ends.

In some cases, extreme weather changes (such as when it if hot and the air is dry) contribute to the formation of hair knots. Left untreated, hair knots affect the texture and appearance of the hair with long-term damage. Below are some of the natural solutions that you may use to manage hair knots.

 


1. Use a Conditioner and Detangling Comb to Get Rid of Hair Knots:

Time Required: Varies
What You Need: A detangling comb, hair conditioner (preferably detangling conditioner or prepare your own homemade conditioner – ingredients listed under the directions), shampoo and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Hair conditioner is recommended for the management of knots because it softens the hair and makes it easy to detangle. While any hair conditioner may work, your best bet is conditioner that is specially formulated for getting rid of knots. For this remedy you will need shampoo and warm water to continue with your usual hair routine. Avoid using extremely hot water as this strips the hair of moisture and actually makes the knotting worse. alternatively, prepare your own homemade conditioner and follow the outlined steps below.

The ingredients of the homemade conditioner are pretty much the constituent remedies that are required to manage dry knotted hair. Both coconut and sesame oils penetrate the hair strands with remarkable ease, thus making it possible to eliminate the knots. Honey on the other hand, is an excellent moisturizer that seeks to cut off one of the key causes of hair knots in the first place. ACV is a befitting hair rinse, and as such, is added to improve the remedy’s efficiency.

Directions:

For preparing Homemade Conditioner

  1. You will need: 1 tablespoon of each of the following: sesame oil, coconut oil and raw organic honey, 1 teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar and a pan to heat the mixture during preparation
  2. Pour the oils, both coconut and sesame, into the pan and warm on low heat. Do not use high heat as this reduces the integrity of the oil’s structure and makes the remedy less effective.
  3. Once hot, turn off the heat and add the honey and Apple cider vinegar (ACV) to the oil mixture.
  4. Stir to mix all the ingredients well and let the mixture cool to a comfortable temperature for application purposes.
  5. Use the warm homemade conditioner pas you would the detangling conditioner in the set of directions provided below.

Using either the Homemade/Detangling Conditioner

  1. Place a blob of detangling hair conditioner on the palms of your hands and apply on the hair knots.
  2. Rub the conditioner carefully with your hands, taking caution not to tug at the hairs strands to avoid hair breakage.
  3. Work through the hair knots at the bottom first and move upwards in the tangled hair strands. This is where patience comes in. It will take quite some time to get through the hair knots, so make sure you set aside ample time for this particular remedy.
  4. Use a wide-toothed detangling comb to help you work through the knots.
  5. Repeat this process through and through until the hair knots are completely eliminated.

 


2. Use an Embroidery Needle to Untangle the Hair Knots:

Time Required: Varies depending on the extent of the knotting.
What You Need: An embroidery needle… and a dose of patience!
Difficulty: Moderate

 

One of the go-to solutions for managing hair knots is using an embroidery needle. Distinctly identified by its signature curve, this needle provides much needed help in pulling out the tangled hair strands with ease. You have to be very careful to avoid pricking your scalp or fingers. As expected, you need to be very patient with this solution as it takes a while particularly for those with long hair.

Directions:

  1. Carefully place the embroidery needle in the knot and carefully use it to get rid of the knots one hair strand at a time.
  2. Work through the different knots until you are able to get rid of them and restore your hair’s texture.
  3. You may combine the use of the embroidery needle with the hair conditioner remedy for best results.

 


3. Coconut Oil:

Time Required: 20 Min preparation and overnight application.
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 egg, a shower cap, a wide-toothed detangling comb, hair shampoo and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of hair’s natural gifts is coconut oil, a simple but very effective home remedy for the management of hair knots. This oil is rich in Vitamin E which is necessary for healthy shiny hair. In addition to this, coconut oil is best known for its ability to penetrate the hair shaft and allow for easy combing and removal of the knots. Add an egg to this remedy for its hair benefits. Eggs are rich sources of protein, which are in turn required for the proper development of hair strands ,by strengthening the hair strands and improving the overall health of the hair, it is easy to manage the knots. Regular use of coconut oil, over a long period of time, helps make the knotting less frequent.

Directions:

  1. The best way to use coconut oil for the treatment of hair knots is to apply the remedy overnight. Focus on the parts of the hair with the knots and rub the oily strands gently between the palms of your hands.
  2. Leave the remedy on through the night.
  3. The next morning, use a wide-toothed detangling comb to get rid of the knots. The advantage of using this remedy is that the oil softens the hair and reduces the friction that is characteristic of dry hair.
  4. Once you have worked through the knots, condition your hair with a mixture of the coconut oil and raw egg.
  5. Massage the hair and scalp using the egg mixture and cover with a shower cap for at least 20 minutes.
  6. Rinse the egg mixture using cold water – never hot water as this will result in the cooking of the egg, which only makes it harder to get rid of knots on the hair.
  7. Shampoo the hair as you normally do and rinse well.
  8. Use this remedy once weekly for the proper management of healthy knot-free hair.

 


4. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of Apple cider Vinegar, 2 cups of warm water, clean towel and detangling comb.
Difficulty: Easy

 

The purpose of using Apple cider vinegar (herein abbreviated ACV) is because it acts as a natural hair rinse whose benefits will help prevent the formation of hair knots. In addition to this, the ACV helps maintain the scalp’s natural pH which then allows for the growth of healthy hair, which is in turn required for healthy strong hair. ACV may also be used to condition the hair so that after application, it is easy to work through the knots.

PS: Note that you have to dilute the ACV before use, especially if one has sensitive skin. Without dilution, the remedy has been seen to cause skin irritation at the site of application. Follow the simple directions below in order to get the most out of ACV.

Directions:

  1. Add the ACV to the water and stir to mix well.
  2. Use the resulting solution as natural hair rinse.
  3. Dab the wet hair dry, patting sections of the hair. Avoid rubbing the wet hair vigorously because this not only intensifies the knotting process, it also leads to hair breakage. Hair is at its weakest when wet, so do this as gently as possible.
  4. Follow this through by combing through the knots using a detangling comb. Start from the bottom and work your way upwards.
  5. Moisturize the hair afterwards to keep it knot-free.
  6. Use this remedy once weekly, in addition to other proper hair care routines.

 


5. Mayonnaise:

Time Required: Varies, but if the knotting is minimal, this remedy should take about 30 Min.
What You Need: 1/2 Cup of mayonnaise, detangling comb, hair shampoo and warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Mayonnaise is a common kitchen ingredient, but did you know that it works as an excellent home remedy for the management of hair knots? Mayonnaise not only has a creamy texture that softens the hair and makes it easy to get rid of knots, it is also rich in proteins which help improve the remedy’s overall structure. Once you have applied the mayonnaise, let it settle in before rinsing out as described in the steps below.

Directions:

  1.  Apply a generous amount of the mayonnaise on the knotted hair and rub it in gently.
  2. Leave the mayo on for about half an hour before combing it. Make sure you use a detangling comb as other types of comb may cause hair damage and/or breakage.
  3. Section the hair and do this in small portions until you have worked through all the knots.
  4. Carry on with your normal hair routine by shampooing and rinsing then moisturizing to retain the hair’s texture and natural sheen.
  5. Use this remedy whenever you need to get rid of knots, and over a period of time, the mayonnaise improves the health of your hair.

 


Ice Cubes:

Time Required: Varies depending on how much of the residual matter is in the hair
What You Need: A couple of ice cubes, hair conditioner (you may use the homemade one prepared in remedy #1), warm water and wide-toothed comb.
Difficulty: Easy

 

At times, hair knots are caused by residual matter caught between the hair strands. A perfect example of this is chewing gum or candy. When stuck among hair strands, the two lead to the formation of ugly hair knots. It is impossible to comb such combs, and this is why the use of ice cubes is recommended. The idea here is to get the residual matter to freeze in the hair so that it is easy to crumble. Once this is done, hair conditioner is used to ease the detangling process as described in the steps below.

Directions:

  1. Take a few ice cubes and and place on the knotted ends of the hair. The low temperature values will freeze the residual content making it easy to crumble with your fingers.
  2. Once you have gotten rid of the candy or stuck gum, apply the hair conditioner and work to get rid of the hair knots.
  3. Use a wide-toothed comb for this procedure.
  4. Follow this up with your normal hair care routine to retain moisture in the hair and improve its overall texture.

 


7. Simple Tips to Prevent Hair Knots as Well as Improve your Hair:

 

  1. Oil your hair and scalp as often as your hair requires you to to prevent dryness. Dry hair knots quite easily, so the counteraction for this is the use of hair moisturizers to seal in the moisture and keep the hair soft.
  2. If you have extremely curly hair, you may want to get your hair done loosely. Avoid tight hairstyles that get your hair strands all ruffled and knotted.
  3. Use natural hair conditioners to keep the frizz at bay; frizzy hair is also predisposed to knots.
  4. Do not give in to the temptation to use a hairbrush for the management of knots. The brushes damage the hair further and often lead to breakage and split ends. Instead, finger comb the hair first before using a wide-toothed detangling comb, preferably one made of polished wood or soft plastic.
  5. Invest in good quality hats, caps and scarves to protect your hair from extreme weather conditions. When hair is exposed to wind or harsh sunlight, it easily gets damaged and knots. Taking a hat or cap along with you protects your hair strands from tangling.
  6. Lastly, comb your hair on a daily basis. Doing so at least twice daily not only untangles hair strands, it also means it will take a shorter time to get rid of knots. Comb your hair just before bedtime and in the morning, and perhaps once during the day. In light of this, it also helps to tuck your hair in a ponytail or high bun. Such hairstyles do not get frazzled as you sleep, and therefore reduce the likelihood of getting knots.

 


To maintain healthy shiny hair, you will need to take some time for proper care routines. In addition to shampoo and hair conditioner, your hair products must be specifically suited for your hair type. Invest in deep hair treatment every so often to nourish your hair. If the remedies do not improve your hair after a considerable period of time, you may want to get professional advice from a hair professional.