They say “more money, more problems”—and the same can be said for hair strands. While having long, luscious locks can definitely be envied, it doesn’t come without its challenges. Among them? Dealing with knotty tresses. If you have thick strands on the medium-to-long side, you’ll want to know how to detangle hair. Whether you have wet hair or dry hair, natural hair or extensions, curly hair or straight hair, you’re not exempt from tangled hair.
While the issue can seem daunting when you’re in the middle of a good shampoo rinse, there are ways around it, thanks to special brushes, leave-in sprays, conditioners, and more. But as you’ll see as you scroll, there’s a technique to easing tangles, and you’ll need to follow closely to avoid split ends, frizz, and damaged hair. At the end of the day, the key importance is maintaining hair health while avoiding hair loss and hair breakage. And rest assured you don’t need to be a hairstylist in order to master this craft.
All you’ll need is a comb or hair brush, a spritz from a spray bottle, and a deep condition—and you should be on your way. Below are the hair care tips you need in order to live out a tangle-free wash day.
HOW TO DETANGLE YOUR HAIR LIKE A PRO
DON’T SKIP CONDITIONER
Using a solid conditioner is the first step to detangling those stubborn knots. To use it, start at the tips of your hair and work your way up—but skip the scalp. Leave the conditioner on for five minutes and rinse.
APPLY A DETANGLING SPRAY
Specifically designed to loosen the strands, detangling spray is a must for doing so safely. It’s perfect for those quick fixes and on-the-go emergencies. It's great because you don’t need to rinse it out. Just spray, wait, comb, and voilà.
LET THE HAIR DRY
It’s tempting to brush to no end in the shower, but detangling your hair while wet can cause breakage. And no one wants that. After your shower, be sure to dry your hair thoroughly, and apply any hair oils if need be. Detangling spray can add an extra safety step to detangling your hair.
BEGIN BRUSHING
Once your hair is mostly dry, I suggest grabbing a wide-toothed comb to brush out your knots. Start by brushing from the bottom to prevent breakage, and work your way up to the top, Don’t brush too fast and take your time.
HOW TO AVOID TANGLES IN THE FIRST PLACE
PRE-BRUSH
Attempt to brush out any knots before a shower, especially if your hair gets easily tangled. If the knots are severe, don’t force them out. Go gently and take your time.
AVOID TOO MUCH TOWEL TOUCHING
Despite the temptation, try not to rub your hair into the towel too much. Spray on your detangler and either air-dry or blow-dry your hair. Then grab your trusty comb and get to brushing.
AVOID SLEEPING WITH LOOSE STRANDS
Going to sleep with loose hair can cause tangles and knots, so even if it’s more comfortable, you’ll want to wear it up. Try putting your hair in braids or a bun to prevent your hair from going everywhere while you get those dreams on.