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Hair-care guide

How to Do a Bantu Knot-Out, Step by Step

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · From the American Academy of Dermatology · How we compare

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A Bantu knot-out sets the hair in small coiled knots while it dries, then unwinds into springy, defined curls. It works on curly and coily hair, and is also worn as a style in itself while the knots are in. How defined the curls come out depends on the size of your sections, the product you set them with and letting the knots dry completely.

The steps

  1. Twist a section
  2. Wrap it into a knot
  3. Unwind when dry
Diagram. Twist a section until it coils, wrap it around its base into a knot, and unwind it once completely dry. The numbered steps below say the same in full.
  1. Start with clean, detangled, damp hair and a leave-in, then a cream or setting lotion.
  2. Part a section; twist it from root to end until it starts to coil on itself.
  3. Wrap it around its own base into a knot and tuck the end under, or pin it.
  4. Repeat across the head; smaller sections give tighter curls.
  5. Let the knots dry completely, overnight or under a hooded dryer.
  6. Oil your fingertips, unwind each knot in the direction it was wrapped, and separate gently.

When it goes wrong

Limp or frizzy curls usually mean the knots weren’t fully dry. Soreness at the base means they were wrapped too tightly; loosen them next time.

Frizzy curls

Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.

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