Single Knot vs Double Knot Wigs: Pros, Cons and How to Bleach Knots
Look closely at the lace on any frontal, closure or lace wig and you'll see tiny dots where each group of hair is tied to the mesh. Those are the knots. How they're tied, once or twice, affects how natural the hairline looks, how much the unit sheds and how easy it is to bleach.
What are wig knots?
Lace units are ventilated by hand: small groups of hair are pulled through the lace and knotted so they stay in place. The two common methods are single knots and double knots, and many units use both.
Single knots
Each group of hair is tied with one loop, so the knot is small and flat.
- Pros: the most natural-looking hairline and part, easier to bleach, lighter and more comfortable.
- Cons: a little more prone to shedding, especially after bleaching, so the knots need sealing and gentle handling.
Double knots
Each group of hair is tied twice, which makes a larger and more secure knot.
- Pros: sheds less, holds up better to frequent styling and supports higher density.
- Cons: the knots are more visible and harder to bleach, so the part can look less like scalp.
Single knot vs double knot: which should you choose?
| Single knot | Double knot | |
|---|---|---|
| Natural look | Best | Good |
| Shedding | More if not sealed | Less |
| Bleaching | Easy | Harder |
| Best for | Hairline and part, pulled-back styles | Back of the unit, high-density wigs, heavy styling |
A common setup is single knots along the hairline and part, with double knots further back. Most Loxx Hair wigs feature hand-tied single knots for a natural hairline. Browse our lace wigs and HD lace closures and frontals, and see how knots relate to fullness in our wig density guide.
How to bleach knots safely
Bleaching lightens the dark knots so the lace looks like your scalp. It is a chemical process, so go slowly and test first.
- Turn the unit inside out and pin it flat on a mannequin head, lace side up.
- Mix bleach powder with 20 volume developer into a thick paste. A thick paste stays on the knots instead of soaking through to the hair.
- Apply a thin layer on the knots with a flat brush. Stay a little back from the very front edge if you want the baby hairs to keep their color.
- Check every few minutes. HD knots can lift in 10–15 minutes. Stop when they reach a light brown, not white.
- Rinse with cool water from the inside, wash with sulfate-free shampoo and condition the hair.
- Seal the knots with a knot sealer once dry to reduce shedding.
Over-bleaching causes shedding and can damage HD lace. The same steps work for closures and frontals; on a closure, focus on the parting area. If you'd rather not do it yourself, find a Loxx Hair stylist. Hair that has been bleached or colored can't be returned, so check our refund policy before you start.
FAQ
Do single knots shed more?
Slightly, mostly after bleaching. Sealing the knots and not brushing at the root keeps shedding low. More tips in our lace wig care guide.
Can you bleach double knots?
Yes, but they take longer and rarely get as light as single knots.
Should I bleach knots on HD lace or transparent lace?
Both can be bleached. HD knots lighten faster, so check them more often. Not sure which lace to buy? Read HD lace vs transparent lace.
Do I need to bleach knots on a pre-plucked frontal?
Not always. Many frontals look natural without it, especially HD lace on deeper skin tones. Try the install first, then decide.
