Single Strand Knots.....

[LoveCraze]

I know that this has probably been asked before, but the search is not behaving well. So I have been getting SSK's and I want to know how important is it to cut them? I wear my hair in it's curly state with no intention of straightening but I hate when I feel the ends of my twists and I can feel a knot there. My strands are very small so you can hardly see them but is it best to cut them or just let it ride? Will this lead to unneccessary breakage?

 

[Vshanell]

It's not necessary to cut them. I have them all over my head, some have 2 and 3 on a strand. They're more of an annoyance than anything. They don't do much harm but they can make the ends feel rough and the hair harder to detangle on the ends which isn't a good thing because of potential breakage but if you're very careful you should be ok. There isn't much you can do to prevent these knots unless you only wear straight or stretched styles. I wouldn't let it drive me to that point though. I just plan to S&D mine the next time I straighten to try to keep them somewhat under control.

 

[LunadeMiel]

You should definitely cut them out. SSKs will catch on other hairs and cause them to tangle or split. Leaving them will cause more harm then good.

 

[darlingdiva]

In my case, I must cut them. The hair grows past them, but I get breakage b/c of them.

I keep my hair moisturized, but those knots won't go away.
I keep my ends moisturizied and sealed, but those knots won't go away.
I always finger comb first; then I follow up w/ a seamless wide-toothed comb, but those knots won't go away.
I deep condition every time I wash my hair, but those knots won't go away.

All I know is that when my hair was straightened, I didn't even know what a single-strand knot looked or felt like b/c I'd never seen one on my hair. Once I take these twists out, I'm straightening my hair.

 

[steffiejoe]

I have finally gotten a little more control over the ssk.I still get them but not as many . I have to cut them because they get on my nerves. I once was able to undo one and the hair under the knot had a hole in the strand. If you have seen the split end chart you will see the ssk is listed as a split end.
I feel they are damaging for the hair strand and should be cut off.
Alot of naturals have posted on here how these knots have hurt their retention. I can no longer do WNG's or wear puffs. The last time I wore a WNG for a week , my hair was covered with these knots.

 

[Vshanell]

I don't think anyone should let these knots keep them from wearing their natural hair if they want. I had that mentality not long ago (which was short lived) because I was frustrated with them and I think they're gross but.....I'm wearing my hair how I want. I've had no problems and they're mostly just an annoyance.

Sure I'll cut them out when I get around to it, but I'm not stressing out about it. It comes with the natural hair territory.