How To Style Old Knotless Braids?

Old knotless braids can be difficult to style if they are frizzy or tangled, but with a few simple tips, you can breathe new life into them. However, you might need a quick refresh when the knotless braids look old. Here are some ways to get your braids back into tip-top shape quickly.

Knotless braids have risen in popularity thanks to their lack of knots. They create little tension on the scalp and are lighter and less bulky than box braids.

1. Detangle

Detangling is one of the most important aspects of healthy hair care. It helps remove tangles and shed hairs that can cause matting, knots, and breakage. It also does the washing, combing, and distributing of hair products easier.

Detangle your hair before and after shampooing. This will keep your hair tangle-free and prevent additional tangles from forming when you apply your shampoo and conditioner. This is especially important if you wear a protective style, like braids, that can get matted easily.

Professional stylists usually recommend starting from the ends of your strands and moving up to the scalp/roots. This way, you can avoid unnecessary pulling of the hair at the root, which can lead to more damage.

Brush your hair gently as you work it into sections. You can use a wide-tooth comb or a flexi brush for this purpose.

A tangle teezer can help you detangle difficult knots without breaking your hair. This is particularly helpful if you have thick or curly hair that may be hard to brush through.

Before and after you comb your hair, moisturize it. This helps keep it tangle-free and will ensure that all moisturizers you apply are properly distributed throughout your strands.

It’s a great idea to spritz your hair with an oil-based product before you apply shampoo and conditioner. This will help moisturize your strands and separate them before you shampoo, making it easier for you to detangle.

This can be a daunting task, but many products will make it easy for you to detangle your old knotless braids. We sat down with the Health and Beauty Reviews Analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Beauty Lab, Chiara Butler, to get her tips on which detangling sprays and brushes will work best for you.

2. Oil

Oil is a great way to refresh old knotless braids. It helps seal the moisture, tame flyaways, and shine them. There are many different oils, including jojoba, sweet almond, tea tree, peppermint, and shea butter.

Aside from being good for your hair, oils are also a great way to ward off germs and keep your scalp healthy. You can use an all-in-one oil spray or dab a small amount on your scalp and braids.

This is the best way to make your braids shine while protecting them from the elements. You can also use a product like African Pride Coconut Milk & Honey Leave-In Conditioner Spray to help lock in the oils and protect your strands from humidity.

The key here is to use a light oil that won’t weigh your hair down or cause breakage at the roots. You can also use a combination of oils to create the perfect combo for your hair type and lifestyle.

As a final tip, taking your time when washing and styling your hair is important. This can make it easier to detangle and remove any oils or product buildup that may be left on your strands. Drying your hair thoroughly after you lather and rinse is also a good idea.

While they can last up to three months, the longevity of your knotless braids will depend on several factors, including how you care for them and the size of your braids. For instance, large knotless braids will likely last longer than small knotless braids. The best way to know how long your new knotless hair will last is to consult your stylist about which products are recommended for your specific hair type and condition.

3. Wash

If you’ve been wearing knotless braids for a while, they’re likely getting dingy and smelly. However, depending on how you style your hair, this can be a normal part of the process (weeks of sweating, environmental exposure, and more can cause your braids to stink).

Wash your braids with an anti-bacterial shampoo every few weeks to prevent these unpleasant odors. The key to washing your braids is ensuring they’re completely dry after you lather them and rinse them.

Use a sulfate-free shampoo that’s gentle enough to clean your scalp but strong enough to remove dirt and buildup for the best results. For example, try the Wash Day Delight Sulfate Free Shampoo, which has a tapered nozzle that allows you to target your scalp without disturbing your braids.

Follow up with a conditioner to help moisturize your braids and keep them feeling soft. Mack suggests using a conditioner with an emollient formula like Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Multitasking Spray.

After the washing and conditioning, ensure you wring out the excess water from your braids with a microfiber towel like this one. This will avoid mold, which can develop if your braids remain damp after you wash them.

If you want to make your old knotless braids look fresh, consider re-doing your front and back braids. These tend to age faster than the rest of your braids, so re-doing them can make your entire hairstyle look as good as new.

A good re-do can be as simple as parting your hair into different sections and washing each section individually. Doing so will save you time and make each section feel more special.

4. Retwist

If you have old knotless braids that need a refresh, there are several ways to style them. You can keep them a more traditional look or create an ombre look with bold colors like burgundy.

You can also try to add texture to the knotless box braids with loose ends. This will make them more comfortable to wear and give you a more fun and adventurous look.

Before you start the retwist process, ensuring your hair is completely dry is important. This will prevent mold from forming on the strands and ensure your protective style lasts as long as possible.

Another thing that you should do before retwisting your knotless box braids is to ensure that they are moisturized properly. This will help prevent frizz and breakage, which are common with protective styles.

For this, you need to use a sulfate-free shampoo that won’t dry out your hair and scalp. You can also use a conditioner that will keep your strands smooth and moisturized for longer.

Aside from maintaining a wash schedule, you should ensure your hair is completely dry before re-twisting. This will keep it from moldiness and prevent tangling during the refresh process.

Once you have completed the retwist, you can finish it off with some mousse to seal in your braids and give them a shine. You can also spritz them with some hairspray for a nice touch. This will allow your braids to stay looking fab for weeks to come!

5. Seal

Whether you’re new to protective styling or want to freshen up your braids, several ways to seal the ends exist. Nail glue and super glue are great options, but be sure to use only a few of these products because they’re messy.

Another option to seal your braids is by dipping them in hot water. This method works best on heat-sealable synthetic braids, like Kanekalon. Still, it’s also safe to do on regular box braids. The hot water can help soften the ends and eliminate flyaways and fuzz.

A flat iron is also a good tool for sealing braids. First, separate about six strands of hair from one of the three sections of your braid. Next, loop the strands around the section of your braid a few times.

When looping the strands, hold the main braid securely in place so that it doesn’t loosen while you do it. Then, after looping it a few times, use your flat iron to pinch over the strands.

You can also dip your braids in boiling water to seal the ends of them. This is especially helpful if you use a thicker, softer braid.

You can burn the end of your braid over an open flame for a more permanent solution. This will seal the end of your braids and add texture and shine to your hair.

In addition to these tips, you can always keep your braids moisturized. Spritz them with a hydrating mist or leave-in conditioner two to three times a week. This will help to prevent frizz and breakage, and it will also keep your braids looking their best.

Five Ideas On How To Style Old Knotless Braids:

• Braided Updo: Gather your braids into a high ponytail or a low bun, and braid the ponytail or the bun. You can also braid a section of hair and wrap it around the base of the ponytail or the bun to create a more polished look.
• Half-Up, Half-Down: Part your hair down the middle or to one side and gather the top section of your hair into a half-up, half-down style. You can leave the bottom section of your hair loose or style it in loose waves.
• Head Wrap: Wrap a colorful scarf around your head, leaving your braids loose. You can tuck the ends of the scarf under the back of your hair or tie them in a knot at the top of your head.
• Accessories: Add accessories like hair clips or beads to your braids for a new look. You can also wrap a thin gold or silver chain around your braids for a boho-inspired look.
• Side Ponytail: Gather your braids into a side ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. You can also braid the ponytail or leave it loose.

Remember, with a little creativity, and you can style your old knotless braids in many ways. Experiment with different looks and find what works best for you. Also, take good care of your braids to prevent frizz and tangles.

FAQ’s

How do you style your knotless braids when they get old?

The second approach, which entails receiving a refresh from your stylist, is fairly straightforward. Your stylist will typically braid a new set of Knotless braids after undoing the front or back of your head. After that, they’ll use mousse to give your braids shine and edge control to lay your edges before dipping them in hot water.

Do knotless braids need more hair?

Benefits. They don’t hurt. The scalp will not be subjected to any pulling, friction, or tension if there is no additional hair extension at the root. Because they don’t require as many extensions as braids with knots, knotless braids will feel lighter and less bulky on your head.

Why do knotless braids not last?

Your knotless box braids should last up to six weeks on average, which is two weeks less than with traditional box braids. They last less time because there isn’t as much extension hair at the braids’ roots, which causes hair to frizz quickly.

Do knotless braids fall out easier?

There will be less pulling on your hair when using the knotless method. Additionally, there is no friction at your scalp without a knot, which results in less shedding and less breakage.

What hair is best for knotless braids?

The Braid Box hairstylist Colleen Reid advises, “We always recommend using human hair where possible.” Although synthetic hair is fine and a less expensive option for this style, it provides a finish that is more natural and is less likely to irritate the scalp.