Untangle Matted Hair: What To Do To Gently Loosen Knotted Strands And Avoid Knots In The Hair?
Matted hair is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming aspects of the hair care routine. And if your hair tends to get tangled, then you know exactly what we mean. But is there a way to detangle tangled hair without damaging it? The answer is yes! If you ever wake up with your hair knotted or wondering why your hair gets tangled so easily, you're in luck! In this article, we look at why hair tends to get tangled and how to effectively manage it.
Why does the hair tangle?
Your hair becomes matted when strands of hair wrap around each other. This makes it easier for additional strands to interlace with the existing knot. The hair tangles, resulting in larger and more tangled knots that are a real hassle to get rid of.
Basically, hair tangles more when its cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) is damaged or open. A healthy cuticle should be closed, smooth, and lying flat. When your hair is damaged or split ends, the cuticle gets caught, causing more tangles and knots. Also, if your hair isn't straight but curly or frizzy, the strands you lose every day don't slide down as easily, but instead wrap around other strands, resulting in a tangle.
Although tangled hair occurs in most hair types, it is usually longer hair and especially curly hair that tends to get knotted. Some of the major factors that contribute to matted hair are:
- Damaged, dry hair
- Curly or frizzy hair
- Long, fine hair (longer than shoulder length)
- Sun-damaged and heat damaged hair
- Wind and other weather influences
- Bad sleeping habits
- Chemical treatments
Which brush for matted hair?
To untie your knotted hair, you need the right tool. Not every brush is equally suitable for detangling hair. Special detangling brushes ensure that knots in the hair are easily and painlessly untangled. The best detangle brushes include the Denman brush and the popular Tangle Teezer. You don't have to forget the good old comb either - models with coarse teeth are really good for detangling your hair.
How to loosen matted hair?
Wondering how to get the knots out of your beautiful locks without causing breakage? Detangling is definitely one of the most hated hair routines, but using the right method can save you from too much pain and hair loss. Depending on whether you detangle matted hair wet or dry, you can use the following techniques.
What to do about matted hair after washing?
Wet hair is brittle and prone to breakage. However, if you use conditioner and take the time to gently detangle your locks, detangling wet hair is still the best option for your hair health.
To detangle naturally curly or frizzy hair, start with wet hair and apply a generous amount of conditioner. For straight hair, you can start with slightly towel-dried or damp, freshly washed and conditioned hair. Using a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush, brush your hair gradually upwards from the ends.
If you meet resistance, do not push the comb down! Instead, move the comb or brush outward, away from the head, to loosen the tangles.
If you really need to get rid of stubborn knots, use a detangling spray for your hair type. Note that you only need to apply these products to small sections of hair for them to work, not all of your hair.
Detangle tangled hair when dry
Even if you're good at detangling your tangled hair after a shower, you're not going to wash your hair every day to keep it tangle-free, are you? This is not a problem for women with naturally curly hair because they do not have to brush their hair every day. In many cases, this even results in more beautifully defined curls, the tangles of which go unnoticed and can wait until the next wash day. With frizzy or straight hair, however, there is no way to conceal matted hair.
To detangle your dry hair, first, isolate the knot and apply the detangling spray, hair oil, or leave-in conditioner to the area. Look for hair products with ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil, which are known to help smooth hair and prevent tangles. Rub the product into the topknot and gently loosen it with your fingers. Then brush your hair with a wet brush or wide-toothed comb to completely untangle the knots. Start at the ends of your hair and slowly work your way up, keeping your hair taut.
How to prevent matted hair?
If you have to untangle your knotted hair too often, it will inevitably lead to hair breakage. But why go through the awkward process of detangling your hair when you can avoid tangled hair in the first place? All you have to do is follow the recommendations below and your hair will become less tangled.
1. Wash hair carefully
If your hair gets tangled after washing, then you should reconsider your hair washing methods.
- Before washing, brush your hair gently to untangle existing knots.
- When washing, try not to ruffle the hair. Massage the shampoo into the back, sides, and top of the head with your fingertips. Focus on your scalp and massage instead of scrubbing. Then simply rinse the shampoo out of your hair.
- At the end of the shower, briefly rinse the hair with cold water to seal the cuticle.
2. Keep your hands off the towel
We know it's very tempting to grab a towel and scrub your hair as soon as you get out of the shower, but that's far from the right way to dry your hair. In fact, it's one of the easiest ways for your hair to get tangled and knotted, since towel drying too hard damages the cuticle when your hair is most sensitive.
Instead of rubbing, gently squeeze your hair. Then give your head a good shake to allow air to penetrate your hair. You can also wrap your hair in a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to soak up excess water without breaking the hair.
3. Don't forget the conditioner
If your hair is so matted you can't even run a brush through it, maybe it's time to upgrade your conditioner. No matter how tired or in a rush you are, never neglect to take care of your hair. Use a conditioner designed specifically for your hair type and be generous. When your hair is dry, there is a greater risk of it becoming tangled and knotted. If your hair is particularly thick or very curly, you can use a leave-in conditioner.
4. Use hair oil against matted hair
Oils and hair masks lubricate the hair cuticle and nourish the hair. They act as a seal, locking in moisture and smoothing strands. This smoothness helps avoid awkward tangles, as straight strands don't form knots and tangles. You should treat yourself to treatment with hair oil at least once a week.
5. Sleep on silk pillows
Cotton can snag your hair as you twist and turn, causing it to knot and tangle while you sleep. Welcome, a matted mess in the morning!
A simple solution is to switch to silk pillowcases, which have become very popular lately. The smooth and breathable fabric eliminates chafing and moisturizes - which means smoother hair that doesn't tangle.
6. Don't sleep with your hair loose
Also, get in the habit of sleeping in an updo, especially if you have textured hair. By putting your hair up, you prevent the strands from rubbing against each other and getting tangled when you move your head around at night. Layering a silky scarf or hat over it is even better. The smooth fabric protects your hair and prevents tangles from forming while you sleep.
7. Install a shower filter in the bathroom
It would also be a good thing to consider the quality of the water you wash your hair with. If you follow a good hair care routine and have tried everything, a shower filter can do the magic trick to solve the tangle problem.
8. Get your hair trimmed regularly
To get rid of knots and tangles, get your hair trimmed at least the ends every 8 to 10 weeks. This will help you get rid of split ends, dry and damaged ends, and keep your hair healthy and strong. Trimming damaged hair facilitates natural hair shedding and helps loose strands to unravel without tangling.
23.02.2022
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