Ask Dickey! E40: Preventing Single-Strand Knots With Wash & Go Styling

Last week's episode on single-strand knots has sparked quite a discussion, so here's Dickey addressing another question on the issue: How does a 4A-4B prevent single-strand knots with Wash & Go styling?
Music by warner case (@warner.case).

[@jastremom5090]

I had the pleasure of Dickey doing my hair in July. The Wash and Gos process has changed the game for my type 4 hair. I appreciate Dickey’s passion for educating the masses about textured hair.

[@shawandaswayzer2161]

Marcia Johnson what techniques did he give you, and what's your texture of hair?

[@vc6200]

Would love to see pictures of your hair. How lucky you are, to have Mr Dicky do your hair,

[@FineNaturalHairandFaith]

I'm so happy you showed the difference between bathing your hair in products and touching "like this" For those with loose curls and waves, a little product may work but for us kinkier curlies, we need to saturate our wet hair to maintain the curl and prevent frizz for as long as possible

[@alfonsca]

That little shake after “bathing” your hair 🤣🤣. Dickey, you are too funny! Love you and your sharing of knowledge!

[@LindaLynn93]

Great advice! Bathe your hair in conditioner and styling product on soaking wet hair in order to capture the curl!

[@rachelakewushola4199]

💯

[@saramcintosh8330]

I honestly dont think there's a way to prevent ssk. Especially on type 4 hair because that's just what our hair does whether u condition, put a bucket full of water on it, AND trim it lol. I've just learned to accept them. Dickey always gives good advice.

[@allisathompson]

Sara McIntosh I thought the same way until I actually followed Dickie's advice. I have super dense 4c hair, hair, and it was a nightmare for the first four years I was natural. Now. I get my hair professionally trimmed every 3 months and do a wash and go every other day. I can't remember the last time I had a single strand knot. And my curls are popping, which I thought was impossible.

[@keamber.vaughn]

allisathompson what styling products do you use for your WnG? Leave in, gel, etc?? I have 4b, cotton textured hair and for the 8 years Ive been natural Ive YET to find anything that can capture my curls smh

[@allisathompson]

I use Giovanni 20/20 conditioner to cowash (any cheap conditioner with lots of slip will do), watered down Kinky Curly Knot Today as a leave in conditioner, and Hair Rules Kinky Curly cream for the curls. The trick is to keep the hair soaking wet throughout the entire process and detangle every time you wash. I use a comb to detangle one time during the process because my hair is so dense that my shed hair can't get out when I finger detangle. I then dry with a diffuser until my hair stops dripping or until it's completely dry. If you have a hood dryer, that helps a lot with drying time. With 4b hair, you may not need as much cream as I do. Just start with the products you own. I would recommend getting the 2 oz. Kinky Curly Cream to try out. At night, I tie it up with a scarf (not too tight); I found the bonnet made my hair too frizzy. I only shampoo once a week or every other week, depending on how my hair feels. I deep condition right before I get my hair trimmed. Sorry for the ridiculously long reply. 😊

[@FineNaturalHairandFaith]

Totally possible :) Eden Body works has this new curl moisturizing cream that also has some hold to it. That coupled with a nice gel and I never gete single strand knots anymore and my wash and go's last 5 days. The only caveat is making sure the ends are kept healthy by staying on top of the trimming. I trim every 4-5 months when my hair needs it

[@adrianatb61]

If you are still struggling with it stretching the hair with a blow dryer afterwards really helped me

[@6ftNaturalBeauty]

I don’t have 4c hair. However, I bath my ends in oil as the first step of my wash and go. It has cut down on breakage, knots and split ends by like 90%. FYI, I don’t lather my body in lotion at all ☺️

[@JanePetrick]

Very, very clear Dickey. Thank you. Reinforces me in 7 month wash&go joy. God willing, I'm a wash & go girl for life. I love it. My hair loves it!

[@staceywill8831]

JanePetrick do u see less breakage using his method?

[@JanePetrick]

K Williams My friend, I have had no breakage. But I am low manipulation, I do get my ends "dusted" every 12 weeks, and I am at peace with shrinkage. (It helps I get a lot of "cutie" comments with this style.)

[@Angie_Onaleta]

I started doing this (bathing/slathering products on soaking wet hair) and yo! He's right! I'm here thinking my hair was 4a/4b but after doing this it's 3c/4a when I dries.

[@AD-cy4vj]

The weight of the product loosens your curls.

[@stefaniecooper9242]

Honestly you have helped me tremendously. I didn’t understand the importance of applying product to soaking (dripping) wet hair. I really resisted shower styling for the 6+ yrs I’ve been natural. In just a few months of just this 1 change, I’m noticing major differences. For one, my moisture retention between wash days has been phenomenal. Still a twist out maven but working on my wash n go. Thanks for your valuable insights!!

[@diamondsandlipgloss]

the ONLY reason why i subbed is because you said the knots come from the need of a proper trim...i notice a split end on EVERY single strand knot. your 100% correct! thanks

[@zheahra]

Okay. I'm going to make sure I get my ends professionally trimmed and bathe my hair in conditioner and styling products. That's something I haven't been doing.

[@VintageVideo247]

I love your videos! I just found your channel and I couldn't be happier 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@margocarr5946]

Another excellent video! Mr Dickey and his team blesses my soul. Thank you!

[@_nzuri_27]

Im so glad i found this method ive been natural since September and have been hiding under wigs

[@carammelloo]

Thanks for sharing 😍 God bless you🙏🏾

[@Flyonthewall101yes]

Your GOD sent, thank you so much

[@patdaniels2440]

Thank you for your knowledge in natural hair care.

[@helenwiggins9390]

On point I wish you were in California…

[@knittingarch]

I struggling to do daily WNG styling because it takes my hair all day to dry and even then the roots are sometimes still wet. I air dry because diffusing makes my hair frizzy. I bought a hooded dryer but it only crisped the top. Can you recommend a good hooded dryer (actual model) and show proper diffusing technique? Thanks!!

[@aquafina6544]

knittingarch, try air drying to 75% then defuse or dry under dryer but remember to not shake and touch hair as your drying. This causes frizz. Only after its dry should you touch it.

[@haitiangirl94]

I've been using a soft hooded bonnet to dry my hair and all I need is 35 min and my entire head is about 96% dry

[@mistyblu4485]

I want to like drench my hair in conditioner but i have psoriasis so most of the conditioners that doesn't cause a breakout are expensive.

[@chandaholmes4147]

I have tried drinking fenugreek water in the morning (fenugreek seeds soaked in water overnight). This has helped with my psoriasis. I use the Aussie 3 minute miracle conditioner. It is not expensive and doesn't bother my scalp. Hopefully it works

[@christinespain-stewart7115]

Thanks Dickey, this really helps me I was putting on not a Not enough products.

[@lisagriffin6424]

You are AMAZING! I love the education!

[@anne-lyadorrielan7597]

Love Love your channel ! Helps a lot 😍 how do you know if you're using the right leave conditioner my hair type is 4c I use OGX argan oil creamy leave in conditioner which instantly makes my hair softer, but I wanted to try the Shea Moisture hair smoothie since everyone praise this product & it just doesn’t do anything in regards to smoothing or adds slip... so I’m wondering if leave in conditioners are supposed to add smooth/slip or is it okay it doesn’t?

[@ossier2796]

Helped me. Thank you.

[@l.patrick3155]

Great video!

[@melw8319]

Great video...why is it that people seem to think that doing too many wash n go styling on type 4 hair causes single strand knots???? Is it true that type 4 hair should keep your hair stretched to prevent single strand knots?

[@nethermae5340]

Mel W Yes if your hair is type 4c,d etc..yes you will get single strand knots when wearing your hair in a WG. That is because the curl is tight and will curl up upon itself. Now stretching your hair is a different story,. You can’t truly do a wet WG when trying to stretch your hair. Stretching your hair will cause the hair strand to remain sort of straight where it does not curl upon itself hence no SSKs. There is really no cure for SSK for 4c,d etc. you can only reduce them by not wearing WG’s all of the time. I’m a 4b & c kinda gal and 99% of the time I wear my hair in twists without unraveling but I still get them but not a lot.

[@denyshadials5702]

Mel W Good question. It could be because some don’t allow themselves to get accustomed to frequent wash and gos. A KZbinr named Hallease challenged herself to do it for a month on her 4c a few years ago. After she got the hang of it, she did it for year and it grew out. She has locs now.

[@tiffanym5474]

I’m type 4 natural and my stylist trims my hair wet. Is this the best way or should she be blow drying my hair then trimming it?

[@nethermae5340]

The nature of being natural and 4C is prone to SSKs. You can wash, condition, prepoo, oil ends and trim all day long but you will never get rid of them. If you wear W&G’s all the time that is where you will get the most SSKs because the hair is free to curl up on itself. The most you can do is cut down on them by not wearing W&G’s so much. I am a 4 b&c kinda chick and wear my hair in unraveled twists 99% of the time and still get them but not as many though.

[@allisathompson]

Nether mae I said this to another viewer but I thought the same way until I actually followed Dickie's advice. I have super dense 4c hair,, and it was a nightmare for the first four years I was natural. Now, I get my hair professionally trimmed every 3 months and do a wash and go every other day. I can't remember the last time I had a single strand knot. And my curls are popping, which I thought was impossible.

[@nethermae5340]

Thanks for giving me hope with these pesky SSKS but it is like a battle with these things.

[@allisathompson]

I know my hair texture as I get it trimmed professionally every three months. The trick is washing and detangling your hair daily (or every other day) and keeping it very wet when adding your leave in and and curling cream. I then rake the cream through with my fingers until the curl/kinky pattern pops. I only deal with single strand knots right before a trim. If you consistently have single-strand knots, that usually means that it’s time for a professional trim. Trust me, there is a difference between a professional trim and doing it yourself. Just make sure the stylist truly understands your hair texture. I interrogated my stylist for 30 minutes before I decided to let her touch my hair.

[@chinasao.2785]

So true! I have type 4bc hair & I’ve come to the conclusion that SSKs are just inevitable, even when you are not wearing wash and go’s but simply detangling/styling your hair! I’ve learned as our hair type gets longer & longer, wash and go’s are no longer the best choice b/c you are asking for having to cut away length due to the curly strands entwining amongst itself. Just my 2 cents...

[@talyja16]

They cant be prevented but they CERTAINLY can be reduced by A TON with regular PROFESSIONAL trimming. Just my two cents

[@debjb5038]

👍👍