How to Detangle Hair Without Causing Damage | A Complete Guide

Are you someone who struggles with tangled hair on the regular? Join the club!

I struggled with knotted hair for the longest time. I always thought it was due to my long locks; however, it was due to the products I was using. With time, I noticed that my methods to detangle hair were causing breakage and making my locks brittle.  Clearly, it was time to make some changes.

In this guide, I want to share with you 4 ways to detangle your hair without causing damage. If you follow each one I’m sure you’ll be on your way to healthier, tangle-free locks. Let’s begin!

1. Use the Right Products 

What products are you using to detangle your hair? Are you using any at all? If you want to learn how to detangle hair knots, you want to start by getting the right products. Here are a few of the ones that have worked and continue to work wonders for me: 

Conditioner 

If you haven’t done so already, make conditioner a part of your routine. This product offers a gentle way to detangle hair without damage. How often should you condition it? I do so every time I wash my locks (about 3-4 times a week). However, the answer to this question depends on your hair type. 

To condition, follow these steps: 

  • Apply your favorite conditioner to the tips of your hair
  • Move upwards towards the roots, stopping right before the scalp 
  • Leave on for 5 minutes 
  • Comb locks with your fingers and rinse 
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Tip: If your locks are color treated, go with a conditioner that’s designed for color-treated hair since it is more prone to breakage. 

Detangling Spray

The second product I live by is detangling spray. I use it on my hair when it’s dry or damp as it helps reduce the tension between my locks while detangling.

To use, simply spray all over your hair. Unlike conditioner, there is no need to rinse out detangling spray. These sprays contain ingredients like shea butter to soften locks making detangling easy. They soften, protect, and condition hair. Better yet? They smell amazing!

Wide-Toothed Comb

Brushing hair with a wide-toothed comb is gentler because of the wider spaces between the teeth. These combs provide less friction when compared to normal fine-toothed options. If you want to prevent breakage, swap out your brush for a wide-toothed comb. These tools are durable, helpful, and affordable.

Hair Masks

The final product I highly recommend when untangling hair are masks. I didn’t realize that part of the reason my locks kept on getting tangled was due to dryness. Masks are packed with moisture which provide instant hydration. 

You can purchase your mask from any beauty store or make your own using simple ingredients like honey, eggs, yogurt, and bananas. 

2. Detangle Hair in Sections 

Once you have the right ingredients, you want to learn how to detangle your locks correctly. Untangling hair is made easier when it’s done in sections. This will reduce the damage caused since you won’t be breaking through tangles aggressively. 

Begin by separating your hair into small sections with your fingers. Doing this will remove a big chunk of tangles before you have to pull out your comb. Then, using your wide-toothed comb, brush locks starting at the ends and working your way up. 

3. Trim Hair Every 4 Weeks 

Part of keeping hair healthy and tangle-free is trimming it every 4-6 weeks. Hair that’s in desperate need of a trim will become tangled overnight. This is probably why you wake up with tangled locks even when you brushed it the night before. 

4. Be Gentle 

The best piece of advice I can give you is to be gentle with your locks. Doing so will avoid breakage. Here are a few tips to follow when detangling hair (wet or dry): 

  • Brush gently before washing 
  • Never rub dry after a shower
  • Use a microfiber towel to dry 
  • Wear braids often 
  • Wide-toothed combs are necessary to avoid snags 
  • Hydrate using hair masks
  • Get hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks
  • Switch to a silk pillowcase as opposed to cotton
  • Be patient!
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Conclusion

The best way to detangle hair is using the right products, detangling in sections, and being gentle with your locks. Just as important, you want to know what NOT to do. The most important don’t is to avoid products that will damage your locks. If you dye your locks on the regular, you may want to reconsider. Remember that more damage means more tangles. 

Following the tips above has worked wonders for me as I’m sure it will for you! All that’s left to do is get started and incorporate them one-by-one into your hair care routine!

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