The tools and techniques you use when attempting to detangle your hair can be crucial to your success. Here are some tips and tricks for getting those tangles out and keeping them out. Many things can cause tangles like shampooing to hard, rubbing hair with a towel, wind blowing through your hair, not brushing daily or over brushing, sleeping with your hair down and split ends.
CURLY HAIR
Detangling curly hair can be tiresome, but it is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your hair healthy. Always detangle curly hair when it’s wet. Start by coating the hair in a conditioner, like our Replenishing Biotin Infused Conditioner. Working in sections, use a wide tooth comb or a detangling brush like our Detangler Pro to gently loosen tangles. Always start at the ends and slowly work your way up towards the crown. You may need to use your fingers to detangle some of the more stubborn knots. Also, if your curls are especially prone to tangling, be sure to work out any knots before you shampoo.
After cleansing and conditioning, prep your hair with a moisturizing primer like our Replenishing Biotin infused Hair Serum or our Keratin infused Trinity Oil. This will help prevent knots, keep hair moisturized and protect from heat and other environmental aggressors. You can also do weekly mask treatments with our Color Safe Keratin Hair Mask that is packed full of plant sourced ingredients to help keep hair moisturized, smooth and shiny.
LONG OR FINE HAIR
Some people with fine hair believe that they can get away without conditioning because fine hair tends to be oily. This is not exactly true though; a conditioner will help soften hair making it easier to detangle and less prone to tangling. If you have oily hair you can try shampooing after you condition. The shampoo will rinse off any residue that the conditioner may leave.
Using a good detangling brush start at the ends and work your way up the hair. If your hair is dry and tangled and you don’t want to wet it, rub a few drops of out Trinity Oil or Biotin hair Serum in your palms then run through your hair. The serum will help you work out the knots with a comb or detangle brush. If you don’t have any serum on hand you can use a spray on leave-in conditioner.
SEVERELY MATTED HAIR
Dealing with severely matter hair can feel like a crisis, but they are easier to handle if you address them early on. One of the largest causes of matted hair is having fine, thin hair that’s relatively brittle. The longer your hair is, the more likely it is to tangle and snarl. However, thin, brittle and fine hair is especially prone to matting. Thin hair is more likely to break, causing many loose strands of hair. Once a few strands of hair are stuck together, a knot can quickly form, rapidly turning into a mat if not immediately addressed.
Another hair-type that is especially prone to matting is naturally curly hair. Many individuals who have hair with tight curls find individual strands of their hair often curl around each other, causing knots that rapidly form into mats.
Once your hair starts matting, you’ll want to get rid of the matted spots as soon as possible. Start by putting detangling spray or a deep conditioner in your hair. Matted hair is often dry and brittle, by adding some moisture you are allowing the hair to relax and become hydrated, making it easier to detangle. Let the conditioner or spray sit for a good 30 minutes to allow the hair to absorb the moisture and nutrients.
Once you start, start at the top of the matted area. Use your fingers to separate any large strands from the mat itself. Once you’ve separated as many strands as possible with your fingers bring out your detangling brush to start working through the rest of the mat. Our Detangler Pro is a perfect tool for working out tangles and kinks. As you work through the hair, keep the liberated strands separated to prevent them from becoming entangled in the mat again. Once you’ve eliminated the majority of the mat, use a wide tooth comb to finish separating any narrower strands that may still have tangles. Rinse the conditioner with cool water from your hair then reapply a leave-in conditioner treatment.
If the matting is to severe and cannot be removed by this method then you may want to consider contacting a professional hair dresser and discussing hair cut options.
PREVENTING TANGLES
There are a few things you can do to help prevent tangles. Trimming your hair regularly helps keep tangles away and prevents split ends from crawling up your hair. Another thing is how you wash your hair. Instead of vigorously scrubbing it, concentrate on the scalp and let the water and product run down your hair. This will help lessen the likelihood for tangles.
And lastly, tangles occur when the hair encounters friction. Try puling your hair into a loose ponytail at night to sleep or using a silk pillowcase or bonnet. Most importantly though, don’t rush through it. If you don’t have the time to work through the matting then wait until you do. If you have an extra stubborn knot, it can always be worked out with product, they key is patience.