But with the right process, tools, and loads of patience, you can successfully untangle matted hair without breakage. 2) Traction alopecia. You must-have products like tea-tree oil, natural hair conditioner, and herbal or mild shampoo at your disposal to properly maintain your braids. But do your best to stop yourself. These steps can be used to detangle hair after removing braid extensions as well. Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. "I am going to try this because my hair is long and when silky, it is lovely. Individual hair strands often intertwine, quickly creating knots and mats. #5. This will make your hair much easier to untangle. Then, take a wide-tooth comb and "lightly detangle from the bottom of your ends to the root of your hair," working your way to the shaft of your scalp. Now and again knots and tangles are brought about by something getting in the hair, similar to buildup from residue. Today it is time to take out her crochet braids. WaitIs it Bad to Brush Your Hair When It's Wet? This is because some people have curly or kinky hair and its more difficult to manage when you take out the braids. To get rid of build-up when removing your braids, hairstylists suggest applying some loose pressure or even washing hair gently with water to hydrate the hair that was concealed, before you shampoo. Isolate any free-hanging hair strands. But whatever you do, be gentle with it. This is one of the best conditioners for dry hair. You will need the sectioning clips to hold and secure those sections. Holding on to them for more than this time period will create the ideal environment for matted hair. If your hair is more prone to tangling, detangle it before washing your hair. Water makes detangling easier. we leave her braids in for 4-6 weeks at a time. Combing it out can still be tedious, but much less painful and more effective than combing without hair treatment. The weight on your head will. If you cover it in a shower cap/bag 30 minutes. Once you have unravelled the braid/twist to the root you will be able to slowly remove the extensions takes breath it will feel amazing! After youve allowed your hair to sit, its ready for the detangling process. Washing your hair with a wide-tooth comb is a quick and easy way to remove any excess residue and product development without hurting your natural tresses.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'jamaicahairstyles_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',638,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jamaicahairstyles_com-banner-1-0'); Using too much pressure will gradually eliminate whatever dirt, flakes, and grime that is in your hair. It will rule out the probability of having dead hair and will also not risk hair breakage. Ignore them. Please keep reading to learn how to detangle matted hair in 3 simple steps. If you need additional help, then ask one of your colleagues to help you out in this step. If you decide to go without braids, its important to be persistent and careful when taking them out or else risk hair breakage. There are multiple signs that will tell you if you are already facing the problem. Using hydrating shampoo alongside it can also keep your hair moisturized. Try not to keep your hair styled in the same position for weeks or months at a time without combing or otherwise caring for it, as this could encourage more tangles. For really matted knots leave WD40 in for a few minutes thennyou can gently use your fingers to separate and once really loose gently comb. Applying oil on matted sections can prevent the situation. Don't expect to fully untangle your hair during this step. When it comes to detangling matted hair, theres a right way and a wrong way. Be sure to pick a comb that doesn't have teeth so wide that smaller tangles slip through. If you find tangles are a common issue for you, adding conditioner or applying oil to damp hair can help loosen the knots and make your hair manageable again. smells strong. Step 05: It is important to soften hard build-up that has matted hair. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. The conditioner will moisturize and hydrate your hair so making the tangle easier to untangle becomes more likely than if you hadnt added any conditioner. Mats that form from braids are definitely easier to manage because they are in small sections instead of free form. This compensation does not influence the content we publish or the product reviews shown on our site. How to Detangle Straight hair Other causes include improper use of hair accessories or hair ties, long stints without trims, and failure to protect hair overnight. Try not to force the knots out, as this can cause mechanical damage and breakage. You shouldnt be combing your hair at this point, so section it with your fingers. A fine-tooth comb such as a rat tail comb works best when removing buildup, especially if your hair is still braided, as you can use the tail to move in between the braids and get rid of any flakes that may be noticeable on the top of your hair shaft or between your braids. Slowly detangle each knot if you have any after the removal of the weaves. I don't want to resort to a short hairstyle, as it isn't too far until my hair is at my hips. When you get to the matted area (s), squeeze the coconut oil through it and just leave it for now. It's probably best to not use water or moisturizer to assist in the removal step or detangling will become an issue, leaving the possibility of breakage open. Rinse. Web after you've created your poll, share it so others can participate! Maybe start untangling the back section first. How to Detangle Fine Hair Start by brushing out your hair before washing it. After that, its recommended that you use a fine-tooth comb to get rid of any buildup of dandruff, flakes, or product development. Curl Centric services, articles, content, and products are provided for informational purposes only. For those matted parts, I'd wet the hair and add lots of conditioner or detangler. Examples include shea butter, coconut oil, Moroccan argan oil, olive oil, castor oil, and more. Use a Wide-Toothed Comb for Further Detangling. The thing you should focus on is providing rest to your hair from the pull it has gone through for several weeks. Saturate the entire matted clump with detangler spray, using your fingers to really disperse the product throughout the mass of hair. The following section will discuss how to do so. Its also meant to work on both dry and wet hair. As mentioned in the beginning, you have matted hair mostly on braids. We suggest products we hope you'll love through affiliate links(like Amazon). Such hair can be a problem. Sophia Emmanuel is an IAT-certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist based in New York. Eventually, the locs tangle up with each other creating a total mess. So, get in the shower! Watch on. But remember to maintain a balance in everything. But if you do it yourself, you need to have a rat tailed comb for it. After showering, brushing your hair with a fine-tooth comb is recommended to remove any dandruff buildup, flakes or product development.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'jamaicahairstyles_com-box-4','ezslot_4',637,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-jamaicahairstyles_com-box-4-0'); A rat tail comb is useful when removing any type of buildup and can be used in between the thinner strands of hair that are very hard to remove with a toothbrush. You can often tell that your braids are too tight when the skin around the braids is pulled taut and/or tiny bumps and redness form. A soft bristle brush is a must if you don't want to lose your precious locks. CurlCentric.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher. Misting the hair loosens the tangles. Ans: You have to apply some oil to your locs. Any hair conditioner will do, however, one that is specifically made for tangles is ideal. ", to brush. You dont have to rush for the scissors when you notice matted hair. . For a tangled mane or tail, try to locate the largest twisted or knotted sections of hair and follow them backwards, untying the knot. Meaning, untangle as much of the knot as you can, then you can cut out just that section. After the ice has been removed, you can use your fingers to break up the substance and then use a hair conditioner to get rid of any remaining lumps. Slowly remove the extensions. Spray more water and add detangler if any hair section dries out as you detangle this will provide more slip and further aid in detangling. Detangle your hair to prevent breakage and for an easier installation. Your email address will not be published. #4. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. References This requires patience, though, and can be very time consuming. Here are step by step instructions for how to properly finger detangle matted 4c hair: It takes at least 2 hours to detangle our matted hair. Alternate between the detangling brush, wide tooth comb, and rat-tail comb as needed based on their effectiveness in loosening the tangles in the matted area. Then, rinse out any hair treatments once your hair is untangled. The best way to detangle your matted or braided hair is to use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb without putting too much strain on your curls. If your hair is particularly curly or coily, try leaving it on for an extra couple of minutes. As long as the hair is not damaged or breaking, I think matting is a natural process for our hair. Who says you need to trim your hair if you have split ends? Simply trim the ends and use a comb to unravel the first few sections of the braid. We may receive compensation if purchases are made using our links, at no extra cost to you. ENJOY! More moisture and conditioner help to ensure an easier detangling process, so saturate your hair well. Grasp the fur closest to the skin and below the tangled area with your free hand, in order to limit tugging on the skin. In extreme cases, Hill suggests beginning with the oil and saturating the matted clump using your fingers. To make the spray, pour 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil into your spray bottle. When you get to your knots, be especially gentle. Not any more. During this time, your hair will absorb moisture, hydrate, and the mats will loosen up a bit. Manage Settings About a cup of water. Observing any of these will instruct you to resort to reparations immediately. If its been weeks or months since you last combed your hair (we dont judge), cutting might also be your best option since it will likely take many hours to fully detangle matsand even then, results arent guaranteed. Other ideas are to maybe invite family over to help you. You don't want your hair to soften so much that it snaps. Using a wide-tooth comb, gently begin to brush your strands from ends to roots. Because your hair may be really greasy or oily. When tangled, hair fibers lack moisture and can become intertwined, eventually leading to mats. Applying Oil. Over time, that buildup eventually makes hair so dull and coated that strands easily tangle together due to the ensuing friction. Its like untangling a rope, shoe string or cord, but the strand is much smaller, finer and attached to someones head. Proceed with the above steps until the mat is fully removed. Hair Detangling is a lot of work and can be frustrating. Save. It also has a ton of other benefits, like promoting overall scalp health and preventing scaliness. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Because when you let your hair wet or use conditioner before detangling, it will make your hair strain and tighten. To use it, apply the creme on wet hair and detangle small sections one at a time. Move to the next hair section only after you are completely done with the current one. At this stage, your complete attention should be on rejuvenating your hair. Matted hair is a combination of attached and shed strands that twist together to form clumpsthink traditional knots and tangles, but worse. And here is the huge pile of braid hair after about 3 hours I would say of taking them out. Your email address will not be published. You can touch it up whichever you want again. Then try rinsing twice, if necessary. Hill describes matted hair as hair fibers that become intertwined around each other in a tight interlocking pattern that become fused together, creating a cluster or clusters of an unorganized mass of hair fibers. And while those with drier or textured hair types, like curls and coils, are certainly more prone to matted hair, it can really happen to anyone. (With Alternatives). With all your supplies ready, its time to prepare your hair for the detangling process in three simple steps. This will keep your scalp moisturized and help avoid matting. . Here's a video of a mom combing out her child's locs. 2. Just take it slow. Get rid of the rough, prickly hair ends without compromising on the length. But in our home, we love our monthly (instead of weekly) hair routine. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In short, one loc took 20 minutes -- she salvaged the length and health of his hair simply by taking her time and using the right tools. Hold the section of hair youre detangling at the roots to prevent tension on the scalp. purchase supports us, at no additional cost to you. Do not try to untangle your hair before you do. The best detanglers are the ones that have nourishing hair oils and provide tons of slip. That is the key point. I love doing all types of braids; Box braid, Bantu knots, Goddess braid, French braid, fishtail braid, Dutch braid, and regular braid. Here are the four key steps to detangling your knots properly after taking out your braids: Finger Comb With A Detangling Spray After you finally let down your braids, you might get the urge to jump in the shower and wash your hair right away after going months without doing it. If you wear wigs, box braids,. Then, comb your hair, including the matted areas, to remove the knots. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Jamaicahairstyles.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, 2022 Jamaica Hairstyles - All registered. % of people told us that this article helped them. It is also great to make your hair slippery, making it easier to detangle matted hair.