You never know when you encounter the seven circles of matted hair, and when you do, your mind will be set on this matter completely. Because, really, what can be worse than dry and knotted hair that doesn’t surrender even after hours of brushing? And those TV ads with girls shaking their long, luscious, and perfectly smooth locks in the wind are like salt in the wound.
Ends getting frizzy and dry, locks cuddling each other without ever parting ways, and tangles breaking brush by brush — we’ve all been there. But, we also know how to get rid of them for good, as well as prevent them from happening. First off, we will help you to determine the cause of tangled hair. Then, we will show it who’s boss here!
What Causes Tangled Hair?
The truth is, every time you ask yourself “Why does my hair get so tangled?”, trying to brush out your knotty hair, the answer is right in front of you. Here are the common causes of most types of knots and tangles among which you will certainly find out what you’re missing in your hair care.
#1. You don’t drink enough
When there’s a lack of moisture in your hair, it may lead to tension and friction, breaking the inner shaft and resulting in tangles. For that reason, drinking enough water and keeping your hair hydrated is crucial to keep in healthy and knot-free.
#2. You sleep with your wet hair.
We will never stop reminding our readers that sleeping with wet hair is something that you should avoid. Wet hair causes frizz, which makes your locks fragile and leads to breakage. The same goes for sleeping with your hair down: it’s easier to chop off the tangles that your hair gets in the night.
#3. You don’t comb your hair daily.
Combing your hair every day is another crucial step toward a healthy haircare routine. Otherwise, the oil residue will damage your locks.
#4. You don’t trim it regularly.
When your hair splits, there’s no turning back; it gets dry, frizzy, and hence turn into knots. Therefore, you’d better not skip the only-ends appointments. Don’t be afraid to chop off some length though, as using rice water for hair growth will help you to restore it in a blink of an eye.
#5. You apply a lot of heat.
It’s no secret that using a lot of heat styling tools gives a lot of damage, right?
How To Minimize And Get Rid Of Tangles
If you happen to deal with stubborn knots, you need to find out not just how to detangle matted hair but how to prevent tangles from happening. So, how do you get rid of tangled hair? Here are the basics that you should never ever skip to win this battle!
#1. Use conditioners and masks regularly
Both masks and conditioners smooth out the cuticles and restore natural moisture in the hair. So make sure not to skip conditioning during every wash, as well as use your leave in conditioner regularly. As for the masks, it’s better to use organic and nourishing products once or twice a week.
#2. Invest in a hair detangler brush
Besides a classic wide-toothed comb, you can also work with a detangling brush. The latter is considered to be gentler to the hair, especially when it comes to curls and kinks. Such tools are made of smooth material that doesn’t cause frizz while detangling matted hair.
#3. Protect your locks at night
So as not to get your hair super tangled while sleeping, braid your hair before going to bed. Also, you can minimize the friction caused at night by wrapping your hair in a satin scarf or getting a satin pillowcase.
#4. Brush your hair at least two times a day
If your hair is prone to knots, you should constantly brush it. A soft bristle brush is a must if you don’t want to lose your precious locks.
#5. Wash your hair with cool water
As much as we love hot showers, your hair loves when the water is cool. The thing is that the cuticles open under hot water, leading to tangling and frizz when dry. Cool water, conversely, seals the cuticles, leaving them soft.
#6. Stock on the right products
Ensure that the products you use for styling are alcohol-free, as this ingredient causes dryness, resulting in tangles. In fact, it’s better to stay away from products containing sulfates and silicones, too. Instead, opt for those designed for tangled hair.
#7. Use less heat and try more braids.
Obviously, it’s impossible to leave without a hair dryer and flat iron sometimes. Still, if it’s all about styling versatility, you can discover the amazing variety of braids. Not only will braided styles save your hair from damage but they will also diversify your styling choices.
Q: Why is my hair so tangled after washing?
A: That’s because you don’t brush your hair before going to shower. As a good rule of thumb, you should always brush your hair before washing, not after, so as not to get frizz and more tangles to fight.
How Do You Make A Homemade Detangler?
In case you’ve tried lots of products and haven’t been satisfied or wondering how to detangle hair with a DIY approach, we’ve prepared this wonderful recipe.
What you will need:
- spray bottle
- hot water
- 2-3 tbsp. of conditioner
- essential oil (optional)
How to:
- Begin by putting 2-3 tbsp. of your conditioner in the bottle.
- Next, add hot water and mix.
- Add some oil for scent.
- Shake, spray, and comb!
Tip: you can use this mixture as a leave-in conditioner.
Tips To Fix Tangled Hair
How do you detangle matted hair fast? Not by vigorously brushing the knotted sections, of course. There are some simple yet crucial tips that will help you to fix tangled hair safely and quickly.
- Before grabbing a comb, use your fingers to reduce the size of the knots first.
- To make the detangling process more manageable, section off your hair.
- If you have knots after washing your hair, detangle it with your fingers; wet brushing leads to hair loss.
- Apply leave-in treatments after washing your hair to reduce frizz.
- Use oils before shampooing to make your hair smoother and tangle-free.
- Deep-conditioning every week is also a good way to get rid of tangles.
Q: Is it better to detangle your hair wet or dry?
A: If you have super dry or naturally curly/kinky hair, it’s better to detangle your hair wet with the help of conditioner and oil applied before detangling.
Matted hair may give you whole lotta troubles, not to mention the extra time you should spend on your hair in the morning. That’s why it’s essential for every woman to be aware of its causes, as well as know how to deal with the irritating hair issue. Now that we’ve shown you everything you need to know to overcome and protect your hair from this nightmare, your hair is in good hands.
FAQ: Matted Hair
Can matted hair be untangled?
Start applying hair balm at the bottom of the matted hair and work your way up with a detangling brush. To avoid pulling as you brush through the matted hair, separate it and hold at the top. Do this until you are able to detangle the hair effortlessly. Wash away the remaining hair balm once the mats have been eliminated.
How do you get rid of matted hair without cutting it?
- Buy the right hair detangling equipment.
- Brush your hair thoroughly before you wash it.
- Protect your hair from salt and chlorine impact.
- Use a Pre-Shampoo Hair Mask.
How does apple cider vinegar detangle matted hair?
Take a cup of warm water, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. After shampooing, pour this mixture over your hair and leave it there for a few minutes before you start conditioning. Feel free to repeat the apple cider vinegar and conditioner treatment if your hair is extremely tangled.
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