We all know that if you have hair, it will tangle and knot. Doesn't matter if it's your real hair or not. IT WILL TANGLE.
Most of us remember sitting on the floor in between our mom's, aunt's, or grandma's legs and having them detangle and press or braid our hair. For us, it was excruciating. (note: being tender headed is TERRIBLE).
Even now, we are all familiar with sitting in the stylist's chair and having them detangle after washing. Still excruciating.
It can also be damaging if your hair is roughly tugged or not detangled properly. This applies to both your natural hair as well as extensions. There are easier ways to manage the detangling process in order to minimize the tangling and knots that can arise.
Why does hair tangle and knot? There are a number of reasons, but here are a few:
- It's thick or curly
- It's long and silky
- It's dry, damaged, heavily processed, or chemically colored
- It's not brushed, combed, styled throughout the day
- It's dirty or sweaty
What To Do?
1. Wash/Co-Wash and deep condition your hair (and hair extensions) – Conditioning will replenish moisture that is lost with daily styling and product use. Be sure to use natural, sulfate-free, and alcohol-free products. Thick and curly hair requires products which are more moisturizing; whereas fine, silkier hair requires less moisturization.
2. Grab a Denman detangling brush or wide-toothed comb – While the conditioner is still in your hair, section your hair and start detangling one section at a time. Start from the ends of your hair and work your way up, slowly and carefully. Do not tug at a tangle or knot. If you reach a particularly stubborn one, simply add a bit more conditioner and try again.
3. Rinse in cool water and add leave-in conditioner – Detangle again to ensure that all tangles and knots have been smoothed.
4. Dry and Style as desired – For the health of your hair as well as your extensions, we recommend air drying or using low heat, if possible. The less heat you apply to your hair, the less damaged it will be.
- Brush/comb/finger-style your hair periodically throughout the day, especially at the nape of your neck where tangles happen most often.
- When working out or being active, pull your hair back and up from your neck. A ponytail, french braid, or 2 pigtails will help keep sweat from collecting.
- Brush/comb/finger-style to detangle before bed. Be sure to use a satin pillowcase or sleep cap. See our shop page for the perfect Long Sleep Cap!
- If you color your hair, be sure to deep condition under a dryer to replenish moisture lost during the chemical application. You should deep condition each time you wash your hair.
- If you live in a windy or dry climate, tangles may happen more frequently. Simply grab a kids hair detangling spray and add a bit when needed.
