Have you ever wondered why your hair tangles, and what you could do to fix it?
It’s no secret that maintaining long and beautiful hair requires good care. But, I think we can all agree, one of the most frustrating things about having long hair – other than it taking forever to dry – is probably having to constantly deal with knots and tangles. Not only is it time consuming, but can also be quite painful and damaging.
If you can relate, then this blog post is for you, because today we’ll share the best tips on how to detangle your hair and minimize knots.
Why does my hair tangle, anyway?
There could be a few reasons why your hair is tangling a lot. Hair texture, the frequency of brushing, exposure to wind, as well as the healthiness of the hair can all contribute to matting.
Your hair is more likely to tangle if:
It is super thick and curly
It is long and fine
It is very dry and damaged
You don’t brush your hair throughout the day
You sleep with your hair down
How To Minimize Tangling?
Whether we like it or not (and we clearly don’t), our hair, as well as hair extensions, will tangle, especially if you fit one of the above categories. While there isn’t a magic formula on how to get rid of tangles forever, unfortunately, there are definitely some things you can do to minimize tangling and the damage that comes from detangling it. Here are our favorite tips on how you can do that.
1. Condition your hair and hair extensions
Never, ever skip on conditioner. Conditioning the hair after shampooing will restore help moisture back into it, leaving it smoother and less likely to tangle. Tip: apply conditioner first thing after washing the hair, and then proceed with washing the body, shaving, etc before washing it out. That way, the conditioner will stay in the hair longer and will have a better chance to soak right in.
2. Do a hair mask at least once a week
If you’re not the kind of gal who likes to spend time doing hair masks, it’s time to reconsider. Doing a hair mask once a week, even if it’s just for 30 minutes, will significantly improve the condition of your hair. It will be restored with moisture, nutrients, and will feel more silky, shiny, and healthy.
One of our all-time favorite natural hair treatments is Pure Coconut Oil. Leave it in for 30 minutes before your shower or overnight, wash it out with shampoo and enjoy gloriously smooth and silky, hydrated hair.
3. Use a wide tooth comb
Although it may be tempting to use a brush because it’s ‘faster’, using a wide tooth comb (or a special detangling brush) is a much better idea, trust me! Not only will it remove the tangles more efficiently, but you will also protect your hair from being torn and damaged. Start at the bottom of the knot, and patiently work your way up until it is combed out completely.
4. Use hot tools less
This might be quite a difficult challenge to overcome, but think about it. If you consistently blow-dry, straighten, or curl your hair – just imagine how much heat your hair strands are exposed to. This inevitably leads to dry, duller hair that is prone to breakage. And as we already know, dry hair is more prone to tangling. So, our recommendation is to try using hot tools less, using hot tools on low-to-medium temperature settings, and always using heat protectant before styling.
5. Protect your hair while you sleep
Speaking of sleeping, did you know that hair can also get tangled while you sleep? The friction against the pillow when you toss and turn is what causes it. So, we recommend to loosely braid your hair and tie with scrunchies before sleep, or tie your hair up in a loose bun.
In case you haven’t already, check out our blog post on how to protect your hair while you sleep by clicking here. These tips will help you wake up with tangle-free hair.
6. Brush your hair consistently
If your hair is prone to tangling, it’s probably not a good idea to let it down all day (especially in the wind) without brushing it. Brush your hair 2-3 times a day using a soft bristle brush, especially before a shower and before sleeping. Be gentle while brushing, ladies!
7. Rinse with cold water
Rinsing your hair with cold water before you hop out of the shower will help to seal the cuticles and therefore make hair less prone to tangling. Try it next time!
8. Choose the right products
Avoid any products that contain alcohol. Although there is a whole list of ingredients we recommend to avoid when choosing your hair products (which we wrote about in this blog post about organic products), alcohol is really the one that you want to avoid. It really dries out your hair and makes it more prone to tangling. Instead, go for natural, sulfate and alcohol-free products, or those specifically designed for tangled hair.
Helpful Detangling Tips
THE SETTING
If you’re anything like me, detangling hair is a whole routine. So I’ve learned to make it something to look forward to instead of dreading it. Some tips:
Take a deep breath
Put your fav tunes on or a movie in the background
Grab a glass your fave beverage
Prop up an e-book and read while you detangle
This sounds silly, but if you distract yourself with some of your fave activities, you will be a lot more patient and therefore gentle when detangling your hair.
THE METHOD
Always split your hair into manageable sections. I usually split it in four parts – top two prats, and bottom two parts, and work with one section at a time.
Always use your fingers first to gently detangle as much as you can. This is the most gentle method to reduce the size of the knot considerably.
Then, followed by a wide tooth comb from bottom up. You can also use a special detangling brush, but I recommend to only use ones where the bristles are flexible and soft.
That’s it – once all the knots are detangled, you’re good to go!
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS
Don’t ever shower with tangles – detangling wet hair is more prone to breakage
Tie your hair in a braid or a ponytail on windy days or when being active
Use leave in conditioner if you feel your hair is still dry after the shower