How To Detangle Matted Hair In 4 Painless Steps

Wonder how to brush through curly matted hair without the pain? Detangling matted hair involves saturating your hair with water, adding conditioner, and patiently combing through your knots.

In this article, we’ll lay out exactly how to detangle matted hair in 4 steps so you can turn the most matted hair into silky, defined curls.

What causes matted hair?

Before we dive into solutions, let’s understand the problem. Hair becomes matted when it’s been neglected, tangled, or exposed to harsh conditions. My curly hair has even become matted after a day swimming at the beach!

What’s the difference between tangled and matted hair?

Picture hair strands like roads in a busy city. Sometimes, they take smooth turns, and at other times, they collide.

Simple tangles are like minor traffic jams; they can be easily resolved. Matted hair, on the other hand, is like a citywide gridlock. It is tangled hair that has been left unattended, resulting in compact knots. Our mission? To clear the gridlock.

What You Need To Detangle Your Matted Hair

Before you start attempting to detangle your hair, gather your supplies all in one spot. You’ll need:

Water: you can detangle your hair in the bath or shower.
Wide-tooth comb or detangling hairbrush: They’re gentler on the hair and work wonders on matted sections.
Shampoo: This is completely optional. You can shampoo your hair beforehand, but it’s not necessary.
Conditioner: Your hair’s best friend for slip and moisture. Choose a rich, creamy one. I personally use (and love) Kinky Curly Knot Today.

Step #1: Saturate your matted hair with water.

Water is the unsung hero of the detangling process. Hair that’s saturated becomes more pliable and elastic. This elasticity reduces the chances of hair breakage when you start to detangle, and it also ensures that the conditioner (in the next step) can be distributed more evenly.

When you step into the shower, it’s beneficial to use lukewarm water. This not only helps to open up the hair cuticle but also assists in gently loosening any product buildup and minor tangles. Think of it as a softening process, where the water prepares your hair for the upcoming steps.

Instead of just standing under the water, gather your hair and immerse it, ensuring all parts are drenched, especially the matted areas.

If you decide to shampoo, choose a moisturizing or detangling shampoo. This will help in laying a good foundation for the conditioner that follows. Remember, the whole point is to infuse your hair with as much moisture as possible. Avoid harsh, drying shampoos, as they can exacerbate the tangling.

While it may seem like a simple step, ensuring your hair is thoroughly saturated with water creates the best foundation for painless detangling.

Step #2: Add conditioner to your hair and let it set.

Conditioner, when dealing with matted hair, is like a magic potion. But not all conditioners are made equal. Have you ever tried a conditioner that felt like it just sat on top of your hair, doing absolutely nothing? Frustrating, right?

To make the detangling experience pain free, it’s essential to find a conditioner with good slip. ‘Slip’ is the term we curl enthusiasts use to describe how smoothly a conditioner allows a comb or fingers to glide through the hair. A conditioner with great slip acts like a lubricant, making it easier and significantly less painful to detangle knots.

So, when you’re lavishing your hair with conditioner, especially in your moment of detangling matted hair, think of it as applying that precious layer of lubrication to every strand. And while the conditioner works its magic, let it sit, preferably under a shower cap, for a few minutes. This will help each hair strand soak in the nourishment, further ensuring a smooth, painless detangling process. Remember my ‘shower revelation’? This step was the game-changer!

Step #3: Use a wide tooth comb or brush to carefully remove knots.

The way you approach a knot can be the difference between saving your precious curl and losing it to breakage. Wide-tooth combs and specialized detangling brushes are your best bet here. These tools are designed to be gentle on curly hair, avoiding unnecessary strain and damage. Here are a few tips to detangle your hair:

Sectioning is Key: Before you even begin, consider sectioning your hair into 4-6 parts, depending on its thickness. This makes the process more manageable and ensures you don’t miss any tangled spots.
Always Start from the Bottom: Begin combing or brushing from the tips of your hair, slowly working upwards towards the roots. This method ensures that you don’t push multiple knots together, which can create a larger, harder-to-manage tangle.
Use Gentle Strokes: When you encounter a knot, don’t yank or pull aggressively. Instead, hold the hair above the knot to provide some tension and then gently work through the knot with your tool. This reduces the risk of breakage.
Add More Product if Needed: If a particular section feels too resistant, add a bit more conditioner for extra slip. The goal is to make this as pain-free as possible, for both you and your hair!

Remember, detangling is not a race. Patience, gentle strokes, and regular breaks (if needed) will ensure your hair remains healthy and strong.

Step #4: Rinse and repeat as necessary.

Successfully detangled? Great job! Now, let’s wrap things up:

Rinse Thoroughly: Once you’ve ensured all knots are gone, it’s time to rinse out the conditioner. Use lukewarm water, which helps in closing the hair cuticles, ensuring your hair remains smooth and less prone to tangling later on.
Check for Knots: As you rinse, pass your fingers through your hair to check for any remaining tangles. Sometimes, knots that seemed gone can reappear when the hair is wet.
Persistent Knots? No Problem!: If you do encounter stubborn tangles, don’t stress. Turn off the water, apply a bit more conditioner to the problem area, and gently work through the knot using your fingers first. If it remains resistant, go back to your comb or brush.
Final Rinse: Once you’re satisfied, give your hair one last rinse. This ensures no product build-up, which can lead to more tangling in the future.

When all’s said and done, you’ll be left with hair that’s not only tangle-free but also nourished and primed for styling or simply air-drying to showcase those gorgeous, defined curls!

How to prevent matted hair

Once you’ve experienced matted hair, you likely don’t want to deal with it again! Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to prevent matted hair in the future.

Remove product build up

Product build-up is a common concern for many, especially those of us who regularly use gels, creams, sprays, and certain shampoos and conditioners. Over time, these products can leave residues that accumulate on our hair, weighing it down and affecting its health and appearance.

But there’s good news: the hair care world has provided us with clarifying shampoos, a real game-changer. By incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your monthly routine, you can effectively combat this build-up.

For those inclined towards more natural solutions, an apple cider vinegar rinse can be a wonderful alternative. This simple yet effective remedy can assist in breaking down the accumulated product residues, leaving your hair feeling fresh and revitalized.

However, whether you opt for a clarifying shampoo or a natural rinse, one step remains crucial: post-clarifying care. It’s essential to follow up with a deep conditioning treatment after any clarifying process. This ensures that, while you’ve removed unwanted build-up, you also replenish and restore the much-needed moisture to your hair, keeping it resilient and shiny.

Keep your hair moisturized

Moisture is undeniably the lifeblood of curly hair. Without moisture, those beautiful curls can quickly become brittle, lifeless, and all too prone to tangling. But there’s an important distinction to be made here: hydration and moisturization, though often used interchangeably, serve different purposes.

Hydrating the hair ensures it retains its internal moisture, keeping each strand plump and resilient. On the other hand, moisturizing is about sealing that hydration in, creating a protective barrier that keeps the hair nourished.

Now, when it comes to hair products, always prioritize quality over quantity. Investing in a top-notch leave-in conditioner or hair mask can make all the difference. Ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil are powerhouses for moisturizing, imparting a softness and shine that’s hard to beat.

Additionally, consider treating your hair to deep conditioning sessions regularly, at least once a week. My weekly deep condition treatment helps my curls stay bouncy and beautiful!

Lastly, consider cutting out any heat tools such as straighteners or curling irons. The excessive heat they produce can strip away the hair’s natural moisture, leaving it vulnerable. So, if you find yourself reaching for these tools, don’t forget to apply a heat protectant first. This added layer can shield your curls from potential damage, ensuring they remain as luscious as ever.

Protect your hair at night

The health of your hair doesn’t merely depend on your daytime care routines. In fact, your nighttime regimen can significantly influence your curls. One of the prime culprits behind hair damage during sleep is friction.

Those regular cotton pillowcases may feel soft to touch, but they can cause significant friction, leading to hair breakage and pesky tangles. That’s where silk or satin pillowcases come into play! With their smoother surface, they allow your hair to glide effortlessly as you toss and turn, reducing the chances of any hair mishaps.

Now, speaking of nighttime protection, there’s an age-old trick that never seems to lose its charm: the magic of hair wraps and bonnets. By simply wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf, you not only preserve your painstakingly crafted hairstyles but also minimize potential breakage. It’s one of those timeless hair hacks that continues to benefit generation after generation. I never sleep without my silk hair bonnet.

And for those with longer, luxurious curls, there’s a unique nighttime strategy: the Pineapple Method. It might sound exotic, but it’s straightforward. Before heading to bed, gather your curls atop your head, securing them in a loose ponytail that resembles, you guessed it, a pineapple. This technique ensures your curls aren’t squashed or subject to undue friction, allowing you to wake up with tangle-free curls.

Stay away from sulfates and harsh ingredients

Among the many ingredients found in hair care products, sulfates stand out for their harsh nature. Commonly used in a multitude of shampoos, these agents, while efficient in cleansing, can be quite aggressive. They often strip your hair of its essential natural oils, rendering it dry and susceptible to tangles.

But sulfates aren’t the only culprits lurking in our hair products. Parabens and silicones, too, come with their set of drawbacks. While they might offer a temporary smoothness, in the long run, they can weigh down your hair, leading to unsightly product buildup and even increasing the risk of hair loss.

This brings us to the importance of label diligence. It’s important to familiarize yourself with potentially harmful ingredients and search out sulfate-free options.

In the realm of hair care, balance is paramount. While it’s undeniably vital to keep our hair clean, it’s equally crucial to ensure that its natural essence – the oils, the sheen, the bounce – remains undisturbed. By embracing balanced hair care routines and products, we give our hair the best chance to thrive.

Matted Hair FAQ

What happens if you leave hair matted?

Unattended matted hair can lead to breakage, split ends, and even scalp infections. It’s essential to address it sooner rather than later.

Will matted hair hurt?

Yes, especially if you try to forcefully detangle it. The tighter the knots, the more discomfort you might experience. Remember, the tighter and more compact the knots, the greater the potential discomfort. Gentle techniques, patience, and the right products are key to minimizing pain.

Should I cut my matted hair?

It’s natural to feel frustrated with severely matted hair and consider cutting as a quick solution. However, cutting should genuinely be viewed as a last resort. Many times, what might seem irreparable can actually be salvaged with a bit of patience, the right techniques, and products.

What is the fastest way to detangle matted hair?

The quickest and most effective method to address matted hair often begins with saturating the hair in a conditioner that offers excellent slip. This provides the hair with much-needed moisture, making it more pliable. Following up with a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush, and working patiently from the tips upwards, can make the process smoother. Remember, the aim is not just speed but also minimizing damage.

Can vinegar detangle matted hair?

Vinegar can be used as a natural hair rinse to clarify and help remove product build-up. Its acidic nature can smooth hair cuticles, making detangling easier. But always dilute and use sparingly!

Conclusion

Look, I’ve been where you are. Matted hair can feel like a nightmare. But armed with the right techniques and tools, you can easily turn it into a dream. Beautiful, bouncy curls are within your reach.

Now, tell me in the comments: What are your detangling secrets? Let’s swap stories and tips!