How you stopped/minimized ssks? Tell your story

[silenttullip]

I'm really REALLY curious

 

[kblc06]

By keeping my hair in plaits under a wig, washing my hair but taking only one plait down at a time and rebraiding. This is the only thing that has kept split ends and SSKs at bay so that I can retain all of my length. Also, laying down on loose kinky, curly, nappy hair (like mine) is a recipe for disaster .

 

[silenttullip]

I do the same thing but they will not stay away even after a 1-2inch trim

 

[mzteaze]

Dusting the hard tangly ends of my hair, adding a drop of JBCO to the ends at night AND keeping my hair moisturized vai DCs regularly. I also detangle with water and JBCO when I notice a few starting to build then twist my hair at night. Friction is the real debil regarding SSKs for me.

 

[Curlykutie]

Oil Rinsing

 

[tiffers]

^^^I came in to say the same thing.

I stayed getting SSKs, but they've completely disappeared since I've incorporated oil rinsing into my regimen. Another plus is it makes detangling suuuuper easy.

 

[PerplexingComplex]

stopped two strand twisting

 

[NappyNelle]

^^This is possibly my problem. I loooove my twists, but I'm not sure if I'm really protecting my ends this way.

 

[PennyK]

I hate ssks But I'll give oil rinsing a try

 

[AuNaturalMaMa]

I had to stop doing wash and go's every morning and letting my hair be free that day. Horrible ssks just horrible! Now I bun, braid, pony, anything but a wash and go.

I have to mention that I did not have this problem before when my hair was CBL and shorter. Nota single ssk. So, its free hair and friction.

Those that oil rinse are you able to do wash and gos and wear your hair down? Particulary those of you that are SL or longer. That experience friction when wearing your hair down.

 

[robot.]

Keep your hair stretched, especially as it dries. If your hair can't curl up on itself, it can't knot. That's what helped me tremendously. It can be tough with a twa, though.

 

[Curlykutie]

I had to stop doing wash and go's every morning and letting my hair be free that day. Horrible ssks just horrible! Now I bun, braid, pony, anything but a wash and go.

I have to mention that I did not have this problem before when my hair was CBL and shorter. Nota single ssk. So, its free hair and friction.

Those that oil rinse are you able to do wash and gos and wear your hair down? Particulary those of you that are SL or longer. That experience friction when wearing your hair down.

When I oil rinse regularly I have NO ssk and yes I'm able to wear my hair down. My hair is shoulder length.

 

[CrueltyFree]

Moisturizing my hair everyday and keeping it stretched have kept my ssk's at a minimum. With kinky hair I don't think it's possible to be knot free so I don't stress about them too much. But my hair was infested with them at one point so I know what I'm doing now is the reason why my hair is thriving.

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

Once a week, after shampooing and conditioning, I comb or brush (denman) and then put in twists. For some reason, braids don't work as well for me. I have to keep it moisturized and detangled at all times or else .... And wearing satin caps help too.

 

[PAgirl]

I use smaller tooth combs to detangle. Before when I used wide tooth combs my hair would be full of SSKs. For the past few months I use smaller teeth combs and I have no SSKs.

 

[Jetblackhair]

By twirling the last two inches of my twists.

 

[freecurl]

Thanks ladies for all the tips. I have tried oil rinsing once and it looks like it may work.

 

[coyacoy]

ok, dumb question here - what is an SSK?

 

[BrookeLynn]

Single Strand Knot.

I wash in sections and use oils. I don't get knots anymore.

 

[Curlykale]

3 things:

oil rinsing with olive oil
braidouts all the time
sealing ends with wheat germ oil (aka hardcore ceramides) and twirling them

 

[Wildchild453]

I have to mention that I did not have this problem before when my hair was CBL and shorter. Nota single ssk. So, its free hair and friction.

THIS! I never used to have them until I hit APL. I was like what in the world. They are postponing my WL dream.

 

[naturalagain2]

Keeping my ends dusted also, I finally learn how to rollerset a few months back and that helped greatly. Even when I did twistouts/braidouts I would stretch the ends with a roller and that helped tremendously as well. So basically keeping my ends stretched at all times kept them away. Right before I got my sew-in I got away from doing this and I started to get them back again. So I know what I have to do now.

 

[Myjourney2009]

ok, dumb question here - what is an SSK?

They look a variation of this:

microscopic level

 

[Beverly Ann Properties]

Yes, I am almost full APl length and just started experiencing ssks with twist outs and wash and gos. I prepoo with oil and keep my hair stretched at all times. I avoid these hairstyles because I am on the BSL mission.

 

[Myjourney2009]

I created a thread about this a few months ago. I never got around to making a video which I feel bad about because I kept forgetting.

Here is the post. When I do my DD's hair this weekend I will take a few photos of what I do

Here is the thread:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?p=13856469#post13856469

 

[theNaturalWonders]

great post OP!! i have noticed the ssks alot now that my hair is growing...i am mositurizing daily and twirling the ends of my hair and bunning 100% of the time to avoid any friction..i will try oil rinsing

 

[gimbap]

stopped two strand twisting

2 strand twists cause SSKs???? I didn't know that!

So what are some alternatives?

 

[SherylsTresses]

I don't get them. All I do is pin up my loose hair and airdry. My bangs are always in a twistout though. When I detangle before cowash or shampoo, I saturate my hair with conditioner/EVOO and gently finger-detangle my hair in four sections. I cowash as needed and return to my pinned hair style w/ twistout bangs.

 

[Poohbear]

Keeping my ends straight as possible.

 

[hair4romheaven]

Keeping my hair stretched and most importantly moist and sealed.
Ensuring my hair is completely detangled via finger combing.
Protein balance must be up to par. (I notice when I have a knot I can literally detangle it with my hands with out snap crackle & popin. I believe it's because my strands are some what lubed because of moisture ans strong from protein balance)
I rarely have knots if I keep the above in check.