Curious about the best way to detangle your natural hair? Eager to learn how to breeze through those knots and tangles without the stress? Let’s face it, detangling textured hair can feel like a daunting task, but fear not! We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of practical tips to help you detangle your natural locks like a pro. Say goodbye to frustration and hello to smoother, happier hair with these expert techniques!
Finger Detangle First
We always recommend finger detangling your hair first. Why? Because when you use tools such as combs and brushes it’s easy to get carried away. When you use your fingers you can feel where the knots are and easily work them out.
Get Rid Of Rings And Chipped Nails
It's the little things that count and in the case of natural hair, so on the note of finger detangling, an easy way to combat damage and tangles is by making sure to handle your hair without rings or chipped nails that can snag and tear it. You could ever make wash day a ritual by giving yourself a mini mani!
Try Detangling Before Washing
Detangle your hair before washing to prevent breakage and to help distribute product evenly throughout your hair. It’ll make detangling less of a chore!
Detangle In Sections
We know when you’re short on time, it seems easier to just wash or detangle all of your hair at once, but sectioning your hair will help cut down on detangling time. Split your hair into four sections (more if your hair is thicker) and create large twists.
When washing, gently cleanse each section and re-twist, before applying your conditioner and finger detangling.
Make Sure You Have a Slip
With our leave-in and rinse-out conditioner, Swirl, you can be sure to have amazing slip, At any stage of your detangling process (before, during and after washing your hair) make sure you have enough slip, we love Sheen, our lightweight detangler and thermal protectant will keep your hair vibrant while improving it's manageability! Trust us, it’ll help you whiz through those sections!
Moisturise
As many of us know firsthand, dryness can be a huge issue with afro hair. It also makes your hair more susceptible to breakage and single strand knots, which can add time to detangling. An easy way to make moisture your friend is by layering your appropiate hair products and seal in the moisture with an excellent oil.
Cover Your Hair At Night
As we mentioned, dryness is the enemy as it makes things more difficult when it comes to detangling. But a simple way to protect your protective hairstyles and reduce manipulation or friction is to wear a satin-lined bonnet to sleep. The Synergi Blue Dream Bonnets will help your hair retain moisture and protect your hair from friction while you’re sleeping.
Use Protective Styles
Keep hair manipulation down and the vulnerable ends of your hair tucked away by carrying hairstyles like braids, twists or buns. They make for practical protective hairstyles that can be worn all week which means your hair has less chance of getting tangled or breaking.
Try Stretching Your Hair
Following on from our other advice about protective styles, stretching your hair can help elongate your curls and coils and in turn help with reducing single strand knots/Fairy knots. Although, seemingly harmless, they can encourage knotting and tangles.
Start With Your Ends
Rather than starting at the root, we recommend softly detangling your hair from the ends and working your way up. This staggered approach will help you be gentle and minimise damage.
Trim Your Hair
This will make your hair instantly look and feel healthier and get rid of any annoying single strand knots that can cause more tangles. So make sure you trim to get rid of any damaged ends.
Ditch The Poor Accessories
It’s time to ditch that fine tooth comb and broken bobby pins! We want to avoid damaging our hair at all costs and these combs and poor accessories can easily cause breakage. Get rid of hairbands and ties with metal and plastic fastenings. And don’t use hair pins without the coated tips as these can snag and also cause damage. Try our Tangles Begone Detangling Brush and your hair will thank you.
Be Patient
It’s easy to want to rush detangling your natural hair, but be kind to your hair and be patient. Slowing things down will help you minimise damage and breakage.
With these expert tips, detangling your natural hair doesn’t have to be a daunting chore. Embrace a gentle and patient approach, and you’ll soon enjoy smoother, healthier hair with minimal fuss. Happy detangling!