Learning how to combat hair tangles is a struggle we all know too well. Picking up the brush in the morning to work out the knots is no easy task. Curly hair and long hair are even harder to keep tangle-free. Heavy hair products can also leave hair seemingly unmanageable. Luckily, with a little patience and a few tricks you can properly detangle your hair without damaging your strands.
What Causes Hair Tangles?
A tangle happens when two or more strands are wrapped around each other. Tangles become worse when the hair cuticle is damaged. Rather than lying flat, damaged cuticles are lifted, so they easily snag on each other. Knots can also form by rubbing hair against cotton towels and pillowcases. The following factors contribute to hair tangling:
- Excessive use of hot tools
- Not brushing your hair daily
- Wind blowing
- Sleeping with your hair down
- Heavy hair-care products
Tips to Detangle Your Hair
Use a Conditioner:
Conditioner is a moisturizing agent packed with natural oils and butters to replenish your strands. Its main purpose is to improve the manageability of your hair by reducing the friction between strands to support smoother brushing and combing. A good conditioner, like the one from Better Not Younger, contains essential nutrients to hydrate and replenish dry strands.
Use a Detangling Spray
A detangling spray is formulated to smooth the hair and battle frizz. Detangler sprays help reduce the tension between strands to make brushing through knots less of a battle. Consider using a detangling spray with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or argan oil to soften your hair.
Invest in the Proper Detangling Tools
Investing in the proper detangling tools is necessary to avoid damaging your hair. Wide-tooth combs and paddle brushes are tangle-proof tools that will smooth out your knots. The wider spaces between the teeth of the comb allow for an easier detangling process, free from hair breakage. A wide-tooth comb is similar to finger combing, as it enables you to smooth your hair gently. Additionally, a paddle brush is a flexible brush that moves to the contours of your head to smooth out your strands.
Practice Good Brushing Techniques
Good brushing techniques are essential to work through snarls without pulling and damaging the hair. You should always start brushing or combing the ends first. After the ends are smooth, brush through the mid-shaft and finish with your roots. This technique helps prevent breakage since you aren’t pulling your hair from the scalp.
Also, brushing your hair before the shower is a great way to decrease tangles after the shower. Hair is most fragile when it’s wet, so detangling your tresses after the shower can lead to breakage. Finally, brushing your hair before bed can prevent your hair from intertwining during your sleep.
Avoid Cotton Towels and Pillowcases
Abrasive cotton towels and pillowcases are two culprits of hair tangles. Rubbing your wet hair with a cotton towel or sleeping on a cotton pillowcase can remove too much moisture from the hair, leaving strands dry and brittle. Additionally, the friction between your hair and the cotton materials will make tangles worse. Instead, wrap your hair in a microfiber towel to gently absorb excess moisture from your strands. As far as pillowcases go, consider sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase. A soft, silky material will help prevent your hair from snagging and tangling. To go a step further and protect your hair during sleep, wear it in a braid or loose updo.
Conclusion
It’s time to say goodbye to tangles for good! Picking up the brush doesn’t have to be a battle. Maybe all it takes is a replenishing conditioner, a wide-tooth comb and silky pillowcase.