Protective hairstyles are a life hack. They can save your hair from damage and keep it healthy for a long time. We can go on and on about how amazing this style is. The only issue is they can hurt quite a bit. Especially styles that are complex.
However, fear not, Knotless Braids Are A Painless Solution to this issue. This style is the perfect replacement for traditional box braids. They reduce tension on the scalp by removing the knot, feel light, can be styled freely, and require little maintenance. Once they are in place, all you need to do is tend to them with a good haircare routine.
If you are confused about how to make these knotless and what makes them special, this article will cover all these doubts. We will also go over the ‘good’ haircare routine we mentioned. With our tips and tricks, you’ll have a pleasurable experience with braiding.
Knotless Braids Vs Traditional Box Braids
At first glance, it is really easy to confuse knotless braids for traditional box braids. The difference is that in knotless braids, synthetic hair is added in little by little to avoid having to make knots near your scalp. This means that there is no pull on your scalp.
This makes it an excellent style for fine hair as the reduced strain makes strands unlikely to break. That doesn’t mean it is an exclusive fit for this type of hair. In fact, we believe it is good for virtually any hair type.
Why Knotless Braids Are So Popular
If you were wondering why knotless braids are the saving grace for braid haters, these 4 unique perks will show you what makes them so different. With this style, you can’t go wrong.
1. Minimized Tension
We’ve used the word pain-free many times, but why is that? Because there are no knots, the scalp doesn’t get any pressure and the tension is at its lowest. This leads to reduced breakage and prevents scarring from tight braids.
2. SuperLight
If you’ve ever worn knotless braids, the first thing you probably noticed is just how good it feels. You feel like you haven’t even tied your hair up in braids. It is that light. The best way to describe it is that you are getting rid of the bulk in traditional braids. The lack of weight pulling it down preserves the health of natural hair.
3. Many Looks To Choose From
One of the reasons why we love this style is that it is so versatile, you can get it with just 2 inches of hair. Along with that, the styling options are unlimited. You can pick a traditional look, an updo, or a unique criss-cross. You can also switch up the braid size and pattern.
4. Easy Maintenance
Knotless braids are not going to take up much of your time. They don’t require much care. Just follow the tips that we will mention and you will be golden.
How To Get Knotless Braids
We believe a lot of you are up and ready to style your hair in this super nifty style after reading about its benefits. There is just one issue. It is not easy. You need to follow these 4 steps, just be warned, they are more difficult than they sound and you may need to enlist professional help.
Step 1: Shampoo and Condition
Remember how we mentioned this style is low maintenance? That means that you won’t need to or in fact get to wash it much in the future so before locking it in that style, make sure you thoroughly wash your hair.
Use a deep-cleaning shampoo to get rid of any unwanted substances that are stuck in your hair. Braids can lock in moisture but they can create it. Ensure that you add sufficient moisture with a good conditioner.
Step 2: Section Your Hair
Divide your hair into as many sections as you’d like to make it easier to work with. This can be a daunting task for beginners as hair strands don’t want to separate. Just remember to take it easy.
Step 3: Braiding Time
Speaking of daunting, it’s time for the toughest step. This is going to be a long tedious task so remember to take it easy. The way to do it is by braiding two strands of your natural hair and tying that braid up with one strand of synthetic hair. This may take some trial and error.
Step 4: Seal
Sealing is a fairly easy step. Use an easy-going hair spray with natural ingredients. If you feel like your hair looks dry at this point, you can use mousse to add a sheen to it. Dip your strands into hot water to completely seal them.
Tips To Maintain Knotless Hair
There are a lot of factors affecting your braid’s lifespan. To make sure that these factors don’t undo all your hard work or damage your natural hair in the long run, it is vital that you follow these 3 pieces of advice.
1. Find The Right Stylist
Working with knotless braids requires experience and skill. This is a really difficult hairstyle. If you don’t trust your skills to make these braids, we totally understand. You should know that just because someone is a professional doesn’t mean they are right for the job.
Many stylists struggle with this style. Forget about going to a novice stylist, even those with years under their belt may mess this one up. Invest a fair bit of time into the process of finding a reliable stylist. Check reviews and talk to other fashionistas. We’re sure you’ll find the right fit somewhere.
2. Use Only The Best Products
You absolutely must avoid dangerous chemicals such as sulfates and paraben. This is generic advice for any hairstyle but that doesn’t reduce its importance. These chemicals slowly destroy your beautiful natural hair. Don’t let that happen.
More specifically for this style, you need to use a dry shampoo if you have an oily scalp as you shouldn’t wash braids often. Also, make sure you keep adding moisture to your hair with a leave-in conditioner and natural oils. If you are looking for oil suggestions, our first pick is definitely argon oil.
3. Follow A Strict Routine
Lastly, you have to have a consistent and rigorous haircare routine. You have to follow it to the tee as any slipups can cost you in the long run. This hairstyle can last as long as 3 months but you do want to switch it out or redo it around the 4-week mark.
Remember to oil your hair at least once a week. Otherwise, it won’t get adequate moisture. Braids are at risk of coming undone with each wash so only do it once every 3 weeks. Obviously, that doesn’t mean you don’t shower, just use a shower cap when you do.
Also, haircare isn’t just about what you do during the day but also what you do before you go to sleep. Nighttime care for braids is non-negotiable. Wear some sort of head protection in bed. A scarf or bonnet made of soft material will do just fine. Silk and satin are our favorites.
Painless Alternatives To Knotless Braids
So, you’re not impressed by knotless braids? That’s fine, they are not the only solution that is available to you. These 2 styles also offer similar benefits.
1. Two Strand Twists
Perhaps the biggest setback of knotless braids is how difficult they are to get in place. In contrast, this style is really easy. On top of that twists always look unique. Just like knotless braids, they are lightweight and healthy for your scalp.
The only potential downside to this style is the risk of cultural appropriation. Twists are deeply rooted in African culture so if you don’t belong to that community, it may rub people off the wrong way when you try to rock this style in public.
2. Loose Braids
Braids don’t have to be complicated. If you are for something simple that looks good, this is the style for you. Loose braids are exactly what it sounds like, hair that is tied into soft braids. This will do wonders for the long-term health of your hair. On top of that, it greatly cuts down breakage.
The problem with this style is the same as with knotless braids, you need a good stylist to get that balance between security and lightness. Otherwise, your braids will come off or be too tight which defeats the purpose.
Final Words
With all things said and done, there is no such thing as a perfect hairstyle. Every hairstyle requires a fair bit of attention. Hair can be tricky to manage and styling it in a specific way can’t solve that fundamental issue. Even so, knotless braids are a painless solution for those who don’t want tight braids.
Tight braids are really bad for your hair and so you should do whatever you can to avoid them. Even if knotless braids don’t float your boat, you can choose between the alternative we covered. Don’t subject your hair to the pressure of a strenuous complex hairstyle.
Getting a light and simple haircut will not only feel better but it will simplify your haircare routine and save you tons of time and money. Also, in the long run, your hair will thank you by staying healthy.
