If you're prone to knotty, tangled hair, you are probably no stranger to the hassle of washing, brushing and styling it. Brushing your hair may even bring on strong flashbacks to childhood and those hair-brushing nightmares!
Most of us women have been there at some point in our lives -- whether your hair is fine, thick, curly, or color-treated, knots don't discriminate! Check out this simple guide on how to detangle hair without damaging your precious locks...
10 Simple Tips on How to Detangle Hair Like a Pro
You don't need to be an expert stylist to know how to handle your own hair. If anything, you should make a point of understanding how your hair works and what your hair responds to best.
First things first, you'll need to determine your hair type. Then, make sure you're using the right products for the best detangling results! This brings us to our first point:
1. Invest in a High-Quality Conditioner
While a good shampoo is an important investment, it's really your conditioner that matters the most. Especially when it comes to detangling and maintaining the condition of your hair.
Look for conditioners with ingredients such as Argan oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter. Other natural ingredients to look for include slippery elm, flaxseed, and marshmallow root which have excellent detangling qualities.
Leave your conditioner in your hair as long as possible while you finish up your other bathing tasks. Otherwise, opt for a leave-in conditioner.
2. Shampoo Only the Top of Your Head
This is a great tip if you have color-treated or bleached hair. The top of your head is generally where shampooing is most necessary anyway, as this is where most of your sweat glands are found.
A top tip to avoid excessive hair knotting is to concentrate on washing only the top part of your head. Then, apply conditioner to your ends after.
3. Use a Microfiber Towel for Fine Hair
If you have fine hair, this is probably the type of hair that's most prone to knotting. But, there's a way to wash and dry your hair without pain! Enter, the microfiber hair towel.
It's important to avoid rubbing a towel over your head in a rough, unruly manner -- this only adds to your knotting woes. Instead, opt for a soft microfiber towel and squeeze one section of your hair dry at a time. Try to be as gentle with fine hair as possible.
4. Use a Cotton Towel for Thick, Unruly Hair
On the other hand, if you have thick or very curly hair, a cotton towel may work better for you. This is because cotton is an extremely absorbent material, in fact, it can up to 27 times its weight in water.
However, the same applies to your drying technique. Squeeze sections of your hair dry, one at a time. Don't rub your hair dry, just pat and squeeze.
5. Apply a Hair Oil or Serum When Wet
Another great way to assist with detangling your hair and boosting its overall shine is by applying a hair serum or oil while it's wet. Apply the serum or oil to your most tangled or knotted areas. Allow it to soak into the hair for 15-20 minutes before brushing.
There are scores of hair serums and oils on the market today. They are great multi-functional products as they not only assist with detangling but also add thermal protection, shine, and have anti-frizz qualities.
6. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb For Detangling
Did you know that your hair is at its weakest when it's wet? This is why it's so important to use the right tools when detangling your hair. Using a stiff brush with hard bristles can cause major hair breakage when your hair is wet.
Instead, invest in a wide-tooth comb that carefully detangles your hair and reduces overall damage.
7. Brush Out Your Hair in Sections
The best way to tackle a head of tangled, knotted hair is by separating it into smaller sections. This is especially helpful if you have thick or curly hair. Trying to brush through it all-at-once is a recipe for disaster and frustration.
To add to this, wet hair has a way of locking in your knots. So, it's important to separate very knotted sections from the others and start with those first. Work slowly and gently through your most tangled sections.
8. Brush From the Bottom, Up
This a tip from the professionals -- always begin by detangling your hair from the bottom, then slowly work your way to the top. Avoid brushing down your hair from the scalp. This will only yank your hair, worsen knots, and cause breakage.
Start by combing through the ends of your hair, then work your way up by the inch.
9. Loosely Tie Your Hair Up As You Sleep
This may sound counterproductive -- wouldn't this only cause knots? Not quite. This is a top tip for fine hair. Sweep your locks into a loose, low-slung bun with a soft elastic or a scrunchie - or better yet, a Turbie Band. Make sure the material is soft so it does not damage your hair throughout the night.
Essentially, the loose bun keeps your hair from tangling as you move around in your sleep.
10. Invest in a Satin Pillowcase
One of the best ways to care for your hair, in general, is by investing in a satin pillowcase. The satin material helps to cut down on friction while you sleep, which minimizes hair tangling as well as frizz. It also feels amazing on your skin and is known to help with reducing wrinkles and some cases of acne.
Keep Your Hair in Top Condition with Turbie Twist
Now that you know a little more about how to detangle hair, it's high time you invest in hair care accessories that make the process easier!
At Turbie Twist we offer an assortment of hair care products to keep your lustrous locks in the best condition. Learn more about our satin pillowcases and other products here...