How To Detangle Matted Hair Without Cutting?

Your long and fine strands are prone to get tangled after a while. Tough knots can become more difficult to manage after enjoying your summer on a beach or pool with saltwater or chlorine.

You will have to cut it if you lack patience. So, how to detangle matted hair without cutting?

When it comes to detangling curls, patience is crucial. To avoid tugging out your strands, work in parts and halt when you are exhausted. You do not have to finish detangling in a single day. Read on for more details.

Why Does Your Hair Get Matted?

Many factors cause tangled hair.

First, trapped strands of hair tend to accumulate sweat and dirt, making them get tangled together. Not covering the sensitive scalp when sleeping by silk scarf or silk pillowcases is another factor.

Moreover, highly porous hair and dry hair are prone to tangles. Tangled hair occurs more quickly in curls than in other types since curly one is more vulnerable to severe tanglings. Single strands frequently entangle, forming knots and regular tangles.

See also: Why Does My Hair Curl At The End?

When Is The Best Time To Detangle Matted Hair?

During Pre-Poo

Before washing, a pre-shampoo is the step when the loose hair is treated with pre-shampoo conditioner and oils to keep it moisturized.

It is because washing right away with shampoo will make your hair get tangled easily. Using a conditioner and oils during this procedure assists you to disentangle your hair effortlessly without pain.

It will protect your hair from losing moisture and tangling throughout the shampooing process.

Check out: Why Does Shampoo Tangle My Hair?

During Conditioning Procedure

Deep conditioning pours moisture into our hair, and there’s no better opportunity to comb and detangle than after it has been adequately hydrated.

The deep conditioner gives your fingers some traction, and your hair will be easier to manage at this point without breaking.

Before Styling

Your hair will be in the ideal form for styling if you have correctly detangled it throughout the washing process.

You may use either the LCO (liquid-cream-oil) or LOC (liquid-oil-cream) technique to hydrate your hair, then detangle it using your fingers, brushes, or wide-tooth combs.

How To Detangle Tangled Hair Without Cutting?

Step 1: Select Hair-Detangling Products

If you have not already, you should use a regular conditioner. However, if your hair is too knotted, you may need to resort to another method.

Deep conditioners are fantastic for rehydrating hair and making knots easier to untangle. Detangling conditioners are mainly used to increase slip.

Moroccan argan, olive oil or coconut (you also can use a coconut milk shampoo) may be used to get an afro touch. If you do not like how these oils smell on your hair, try the hair detangling spray.

Some people even use mayonnaise, but it has an unpleasant odor and is less practical than other options.

You can also use a shampoo brush to detangle your hair easier while shampooing.

Step 2: Keep Your Knotted Hair Wet

Wet your hair a little. Dampen it using a water bottle spray or in the shower.

Most hair products can moisten it; however, do not let it become too wet (as water drops appear) because it will break. This way helps the hair softer, making it easy to comb.

Step 3: Apply The Conditioner

Apply a significant amount of the conditioner or oil to your hair. Thoroughly apply the treatment to each part of your hair, especially the damaging detangling session of your scalp.

Work your way to the tips, then back to its roots with the conditioner or oil you have chosen. Remember not to rub it on your entire scalp to avoid tangling your hair.

Step 4: Wait For 20-30 Minutes

It would be best if you only left regular conditioners on the entire scalp for several minutes. Handmade olive or coconut oil masks must be left on for roughly 30 minutes and an hour for deep conditioners.

You should not leave the solution on your hair for more than two hours. A shower hat appears to be helpful since it keeps your hair neat and enhances the process.

Step 5: Start Detangling Process

To begin, carefully brush your fingers through your hair and separate tangles as much as possible.

Then, use a detangling brush or a specific comb and start brushing your hair’s ends. If you use a wide-toothed comb, choose the one whose teeth are not too wide to avoid missing the small knots.

Remember not to use a fine brush in this stage since it may get stuck when untangling. You can only use it once you finish untangling.

Slowly work your way up to the central regions of your hair once you have detangled the tips. If brushing hurts, a painless way to disentangle matted hair is to hold them firmly and straight with one hand, avoiding scalp tugging.

Another way to untangle highly matted hair is to comb knotted hair from the roots to the tips. Comb downwards from a distance of a few centimeters or inches from the ends.

Before raising the brush slightly higher, repeat till the hair part is free of knots. Repeat the process until you’ve brushed your entire head of hair.

The procedure might take an hour or more, depending on the state of your hair. To avoid pain, raise your hair higher.

If you have a sensitive scalp, comb a section while grasping a strand of hair, the thickness is about a glue. Brush this section of hair below your palm, then raise your grasp after the underside hair is well untangled.

If necessary, add more oil or conditioner. Rub a drop of conditioner into tight knots with your fingertips. It will help grease up those strands and make them less stuck to one another.

Tips For Detangle Your Matted Hair

Enlist The Assistance Of Your Friends Or Family Members

Patience is critical, and it’s crucial when it comes to detangling hair. If you do not have any patient family members or friends, you’ll have to undertake the detangling manually.

A person who lacks patience will not be willing to spend the time necessary to untangle a knotted mass of hair. It would be best to have someone help you to do so.

Divide And Conquer

Do not attempt to tackle the entire knotted portion at once. Begin at the margins, where the hair is not as tangled. Begin on the outside of the most prominent knot and work your way within.

Use Your Flexible Hands And Fingers

You can readily feel the touch with the severe tangles or bad knots with your fingertips, allowing your fingers to break those apart gently and cautiously. Carefully clawing at it to release hairpiece by bit, and you will carefully and effectively pluck a variety of knots out.

Always Have Conditioner On Hand 

Stubborn knots cause hair to become dry and fragile. You can spray your hair with a spray bottle of conditioner while you untangle it to keep it smooth and prevent it from becoming tangled again.

Not To Keep Your Hair Wet

When you get your scalp wet, hair becomes weaker. Although you may try detangling strands when they are wet, it’ll be more complicated than when it’s dry.

Distract Yourself When You Pick Through The Knots.

When we need to untangle a knot or tangle, we watch Netflix or our favorite TV shows. It is simpler to be patient and take time when our minds are distracted.

How To Prevent Matted Hair In The Future?

It is better to prevent than cure. It takes time and attention to untangle matted hair. You may have to face losing some, if not all, of your hair. As a result, it is always better to avoid matting hair.

Here is what you’ll need to do:

• Remember to comb it daily since this routine also strengthens the loose strands and improves blood circulation under the scalp.
• Oil and apply regular protein treatments to your head at least once a week. Apply a generous quantity of shea butter, argan, coconut, or rosehip oil onto your scalp and leave it on for roughly 60 minutes, if not overnight.
• Wash your scalp twice a week since it removes dirt, pollutants, sebum, and build-up products. Washing regularly also maintains the pH of your scalp balanced and your hair lustrous. To keep your hair fresh and light, use an excellent clarifying shampoo to remove grime and build-up.
• Apply an excellent conditioner to your hair. After you’ve washed your hair, always apply a decent conditioner. Leave it on for at least 5-7 minutes after applying it to the hair. To eliminate all remnants of the product, properly wash off your scalp.
• For dry hair, use hydrating and moisturizing masks weekly.
• Use a little oil or a serum. When your head is still damp, use rosehip or argan oil. Massage your scalp and notice not to rub the threads together. Apply the serum with your fingertips in a “brushing” movement.
• Use a silky pillow or wrap your hair with silk. A pillowcase made of satin or silk may help to prevent hair friction while you sleep. Unlike cotton, silk and satin are cooling fibers and hypoallergenic. Wrapping your hair with silk also keeps it straight and sleek.

FAQs

Are Dry Or Wet Hair Strands Easier To Detangle?

When you comb your head while wet, it expands but does not bounce back into form. So, it is easier to detangle wet hair.

Detangling may break the outer coating of dry hairs more than wet hairs. That’s why you must damp or spray some water on them before doing so. Remember to keep it damp, not wet.

Although damp hairs are weaker than dry hairs, they are easy to untangle since they make your hairs somewhat softer.

How Long Will It Take To Get Rid Of Badly Matted Hair?

It will most likely take some hours. However, it might take that much time or perhaps longer if you have a very nasty knot.

Are There Any Home Remedies For Detangle Matted Hair?

Yes, you can use conditioner and baking soda masks to do so.

Combine one part of baking soda and three parts of the conditioner in a mixing bowl. Ensure the ingredients are properly combined. To apply the solution to all regions of the scalp, split your hair into pieces.

Massage it for several minutes after applying it, then leave it alone for an hour. If the combination becomes excessively drippy, protect your head with a shower hat. Wash it until the paste is completely gone; notice to use warm water.

How To Select The Right Conditioner?

If you haven’t used a moisturizing conditioner before, you might want to begin with a basic one. If your conditioner is not doing the trick, consider a deep conditioner.

Detangling conditioners are also available that are meant to give the hair more flexibility. You may also use a detangling spray, although a conditioner is typically the best option.

If you do not want to use a professional conditioner and prefer to prepare your deep conditioning mask, Moroccan argan oil, coconut oil, or virgin olive oil are good options. Some individuals suggest mayonnaise; however, it typically produces an unpleasant smell.

Final Words

We hope now you have a better understanding of how to detangle matted hair without cutting it.

It would help if you handled the scalp with care and gentleness. After detangling, remember to hydrate, finger comb to root, and tie your hair in braids.

Thanks for reading!

Read more: How To Style Natural Hair After Washing?