Why Knotless Braids Are Damaging Your Edges

Knotless braids have taken the natural hair community by storm, offering a sleek and modern alternative to traditional braiding styles. However, a growing number of people are sharing their concerns on social media about how knotless braids are leaving them edgeless, literally. Kenyan TikToker @ronoher recently shared a comical video about the hair loss she experienced at her hair edges (hairline) after taking down her knotless braids. In this blog post, we’ll help you understand why this is the experience for many and provide practical tips on how to enjoy knotless braids without sacrificing your hairline.

Knotless Braids and Breakage

Hairstylist TikToker @radiancebeautyinc sheds light on a crucial aspect of knotless braids that contributes to edge breakage. Unlike traditional box braids, knotless braids lack the foundational knot at the start of the braid, which typically provides support for the weight of the entire braid.

With knotless braids, the base is often much smaller compared to the rest of the braid, making the braid much heavier at the ends. When this is so, the weight on the braid exerts much tension on your actual hair, causing it to thin over time, especially if you regularly hold your hair back to make different styles.

The Problem

Understanding the Technique:
The key lies in the technique of plaiting knotless braids, where the thickness of the hair at the base is crucial. When the base is disproportionately smaller than the rest of the braid, as is the case with the way many braiders make knotless braids, it can easily break under the weight of the the rest of the braid, exerting stress on the hair and leading to thinning issues at your edges.

The Solution

Proportional Braiding: Ensure that your partings are adequately sized (don’t braid extremely small pieces of hair), and the base of the braid matches the size of the braid. This is the most important aspect. This proportional approach balances the weight of the braid, preventing unnecessary stress on your scalp and most especially the edges. With this approach you don’t have to worry about losing hair when you hold back your braids or when styling them.

The Extension Trick: To add extra support, take a tip from @radiancebeautyinc’s recommendation. Integrate a tiny bit of extensions at the base, creating a discreet knot for added support without compromising the seamless look of knotless braids.

Other Tips for Healthy Protective Styling

• Moisturize Regularly: Keep your hair and scalp hydrated by moisturizing with a water-based moisturizer coupled with a natural oil like jojoba oil to seal in the moisture and fight off dryness and breakage.
• Avoid Tight Styles: Do hairstyles that don’t exert excessive tension on your edges. Opt for down hairdos as opposed to up hairdos. Additionally, hold your hair loosely around the edges when styling. Tight styles can lead to traction alopecia and worsen the impact of knotless braids on your edges.

Knotless braids can be a stunning protective style if approached with care. By understanding the nuances of the technique and implementing the recommended tips, you can enjoy the beauty of knotless braids while preserving the health of your edges. Remember, balance is key – from proportional parting to maintaining moisture and avoiding excessive tension, these practices ensure that your protective style enhances, rather than compromises, the well-being of your natural hair.