Log in
Curly hair is the God of all manes, so why does it feel like you need to sacrifice many combs in order to tame it?
Detangling curly hair can be difficult. There's hair breakage and damage involved and even after all of that, you're still left with knots and tangles. You might even consider shaving your head to avoid all the trouble. We're here to tell you that you can save and keep your curly locks by following this simple guide on how to detangle curly hair.
The Best Time To Detangle Hair That Is Curly
Credit: Stylecraze
Detangling hair is an important part of any hair care routine, and there are many methods to do it. Deciding when to detangle your curls depends on the texture. Even within the texture, there are differences depending on your hair type. Detangling your hair on days you decide to wash it, whether once a week or every other day, is a decent rule of thumb.
Detangling Wet Hair
Credit: Moyo Studio/ Getty Images
So, what's the most effective way to detangle curly hair? Is it better to do it on wet or dry hair? The majority of professionals would advise you to detangle your hair only when it is damp and drenched in conditioner. This is because detangling wet conditioned hair causes the least amount of breakage.
We all know that hair is at its weakest when wet, but the conditioner will aid to reduce friction and breakage. In addition, there is significantly less overall breakage as compared to dry detangling.
Detangling Dry Hair
Credit: Getty Images
Can you detangle dry hair? Dry detangling is a fantastic alternative for some people, but there are a few things you should know before trying it.
You'll end up with more damage if you brush dry curly hair for too long. As a result, only brush until all of the knots have been removed, and no longer. Dry detangling, on average, produces more breaking than wet detangling. However, some folks claim that they experience less hair fall with dry detangling. Like with anything else, one size does not fit all. This is a nice alternative to try if wet detangling doesn't work for you. Just keep an eye out for tangles, be gentle, and use a detangling brush designed for curly hair.
How To Detangle Curls?
Credit: First Cry Parenting
Dry detangling isn't something we recommend. Any hair stylist would suggest wet detangling because it is a safer technique to detangle curly hair. When it comes to detangling curly hair, there are some basic steps to follow:
1) Begin With Wet or Damp Hair
Before you begin detangling, take a shower and shampoo and condition your hair with curly-haired products. However, keep in mind that your hair is most fragile when it's damp, so be extremely careful when washing.
2) Use a Detangling Spray or Leave-In/ Deep Conditioner
After washing and conditioning, use a leave-in conditioner or mask to give your hair the glide it needs to coax out knots without damaging it. You can also use a heavy-duty detangling mist made especially for curly hair. As the name suggests, this product makes it easier to untangle your hair. Apply it along the length of your hair, focusing on the mid-length, and let your hair soak in it before you begin detangling it.
3) Get a Wide Tooth Comb
After your hair has been primed with detangling products, pick your favorite detangling tool. We consider using a wide-tooth comb for minimum damage.
4) Start From the Bottom and Work Your Way to the Top
The majority of the tangles in your hair are most likely concentrated towards the ends. As a result, starting from the top and going down will create a bigger knotted mess. Instead, start at the tips and move up with a comb of your choice.
You'll need to gently detangle section by section. Repeat until your hair is completely free of knots and properly combed. You can also try finger detangling if using a wide-tooth comb is too much on your natural hair.
5) Rinse Your Hair and Pat It Dry Carefully
Use a microfibre towel to carefully wipe and wring your hair dry after it has been properly detangled and rinsed clean. Microfibre is more gentle on strands than typical cotton towels, as it reduces tension and tugging, which can cause matting and breakage.
6) Style Your Hair
Allow your hair to dry after applying your preferred styling product (gel, curly cream, or a mousse). You can also use a diffuser with the lowest setting to dry it. It's best not to touch your hair until it's entirely dry, as this can cause frizz.
Keeping Your Hair Free of Knots
Credit: Onmanorama
Now that you've mastered the art of detangling curly hair, you'll want to learn how to avoid tangles in the first place.
1) Avoid Nighttime Washes
If you decide to wash your hair, make sure you do it during the day. If you wash it at night and do not dry it properly, it might create knots while you toss and turn. You will have a sea of tangles to sort through in the morning. If you must wash your hair before going to bed, make sure it is completely dry.
2) Avoid Split Ends
Split ends should be avoided at all costs. Keep your hair healthy by cutting it routinely. Get rid of any split ends from your hair by getting regular trims. Your hair will have lesser knots if you avoid getting split ends.
3) Put Your Hair Up
Put your hair up before heading to bed. You can also braid your hair or tie it up loosely. This reduces friction and matting.
4) Ditch the Cotton
Wear a satin headpiece or use a satin cover on your pillow. Because satin is a slick fabric, your hair will glide over it more easily and snag less than a cotton pillowcase.
Summary
Curly hair is prone to knotting because it is drier than normal hair, which causes it to mat together. The easiest technique to detangle curly hair is to make sure it's well-moisturized, with plenty of glide, and to couple that moisture with a fluid motion, dealing with small sections from the bottom up. It takes time, but it's the best method to keep frizz and damage at bay. Keep in mind that if detangling hurts you, your curls are probably hurting as well. So, be gentle during the process.
Have thick hair and can't seem to find hair ties that will keep it in place? We've got your back. Check out Burlybands today!
