A. How To Keep Your Hair Tangle Free?
Are you feeling frustrated with your matted hair? You don’t go through growl fights alone. We asked several stylists why hair is matted and how to keep it free.
So, if you are suffering from a tangled texture, check out the tips below for smooth and silky yarns.
1. The real cause of tangled hair
Nobody likes to have a head full of matted hair. These knots are the reason why many of us act and pull the scissors. Before taking this drastic step, find out why your hair is matted. It happens when the outer layer of hair, called the cuticle, becomes damaged and opens up. Unlike a healthy, smooth and closed cuticle, the open layers of the cuticle get entangled, creating tangles and knots in the hair that frustrate you and make you think about picking up the scissors. The more damaged the cuticle, the worse the tangles are.
2. A damaged cuticle is caused by several of these factors
a. Heat
If you regularly use heating tools such as hair dryers, curling irons and hair curlers, split ends are more common as they remove moisture from the hair. Excessive exposure to the sun can have the same harmful effects. Protect your hair and prevent possible tangles by using a heat shield or wearing a hat or scarf if you are going to be away for long periods.
b. Chemicals
Another way to harm hair is by exposing it to extreme chemicals, such as bleach, hair dye or other hair products with harsh chemicals.
c. Don’t wash your hair properly
It is possible to wash your hair and get rid of natural oils. Instead, don’t wash your hair every day and use a mild, natural shampoo, free of sulfates and parabens. When washing your hair, apply shampoo to your scalp and use conditioner on the ends of your hair.
d. Use your towel vigorously
When jumping out of the shower, instead of tying it with a towel, squeeze or dry the water off the strands. If you keep your hair tied in a towel, you will need to brush it first.
e. Genetics
Some people have a disease (sometimes hereditary) called trichorexis nodosa, which makes the knots around the hair shaft thicker or weaker than normal and makes hair easier to break. It can also be caused by lack of iron, hypothyroidism or excess ammonia in the body.
f. Lack of moisture
The lack of moisture in your mane leads to the weakening of your hair and an increase in split ends and tangled hair. Always moisturize your hair if you’re prone to tangles, says celebrity stylist TRESemmé Jeanie Syfu. No matter what type of hair you have, never skip conditioning the ends, she advises.
In addition, matted hair can be more common if:
- You don’t brush your hair all day
- You sleep with your hair down
- You have super thick curly hair
- You have long, thin hair
3. How to prevent tangled hair
Brushing your hair before bed is a great way to prevent tangles. Avoid abrasive brushes and use a wide-toothed comb to untangle hair instead. Also, remember to style your hair differently throughout the week, so as not to overload the same area of hair repeatedly and potentially damage it. If you sleep in a cotton pillowcase, your hair will rub against the material. So make a braid before bed to protect it and minimize friction. When your hair rubs against a cotton pillowcase, it removes moisture, making it dry and tangled easily.
Do not bathe with your tangles, as it can be even more painful to untangle wet hair and make it more prone to breaking. Instead, use a detangling product before bathing to avoid extreme tangles. Rinse with cold water before jumping out of the shower. This seals the cuticle and does wonders for a mess-free life.
If your hair is still dry to the touch after showering, leave it in the conditioner to keep it even more moist and smooth. Or apply a hair mask to damaged hair. Applying a hair mask for 30 minutes once a week will transform your damaged hair into healthy hair. Masks can help restore hair moisture and other nutrients. You should also let your hair air dry as soon as possible. Skip the hair dryer whenever you can to avoid damage. If too much product gets tangled in your hair, add a few drops of light hair oil or similar product to detangle and brush the damaged area to break the product and soften the hair.
4. Eliminate your tangles
Are you looking for products that can help you regain the health of your hair? Nutrafol offers natural solutions to improve the quality of your hair – think of strength, shine, texture, malleability, softness and rapid hair growth.
B. How To Prevent Your Hair From Tangling
It is no secret that looking after long, beautiful hair requires looking good. But, as we can all agree, one of the most frustrating things about having long hair (besides taking forever to dry) is dealing with us and tangles all the time. Not only is it time consuming, but it can also be very painful and harmful.
If you can relate, then this blog post is for you. Read our best tips on how to untangle hair and minimize knots.
1. Why is my hair matted?
There may be some reasons why your hair is constantly matted. Hair texture, brushing frequency, exposure to wind and hair health can all contribute to tangling.
Your hair is more likely to become matted if:
- It’s super thick and curly
- It’s long and good
- It is very dry and damaged
- You don’t brush your hair all day
- You sleep with your hair down
2. How to minimize tangles
Like it or not (and we clearly don’t like it), our hair and hair extensions get tangled, especially if they fall into any of the above categories. While there is no magic formula for getting rid of tangles forever, there are a few things you can do to minimize tangles and damage caused by untangling hair.
a. Take care of your hair and extensions
Never skip a conditioner. Conditioning the hair after washing will restore moisture, making it smoother and less tangled.
Tip: apply the conditioner right after washing your hair, then wash your body, shave and sing in the shower before washing. This gives the conditioner more time to soak in the hair for longer, which increases its effectiveness.
b. Make a hair mask at least once a week
If you’re not the type of girl who loves to spend time wearing hair masks, it’s time to reconsider. Applying a hair mask once a week, even if it only takes 30 minutes, will greatly improve the condition of your hair. Hair masks are quick and highly effective treatments that restore moisture and nutrients lost in hair, making it silky, shiny, healthy, and, in general, less subject to tangles.
One of our most popular natural hair treatments of all time is pure coconut oil. Leave for 30 minutes before bathing or overnight, wash with shampoo and enjoy wonderfully soft, silky, and hydrated hair.
c. Use a wide-tooth comb
While it may be tempting to use a brush because it is “faster”, using a wide comb (or a special brush to untangle) is a much better idea, especially when you consider the health of your hair. This will not only remove tangles more efficiently but also protect your hair from cracking and damage. Start at the bottom of the knot and work patiently until it is completely combed.
d. Use fewer hot tools
This can be a very difficult challenge but think about it. If you blow-dry, straighten or curl your hair regularly, imagine how much heat your strands are exposed to! This inevitably leads to dry, opaque hair, which can break, and, as we already know, dry hair is more likely to tangle. If you can’t live without your hot tools, we recommend using them at least at low to medium temperature and always use a heat protector before styling.
e. Protect your hair while you sleep
Speaking of sleeping, did you know that hair can be matted while you sleep? This is due to your hair rubbing against the pillow when you throw and twist it. To counteract this, we recommend braiding your hair loosely before going to sleep and tying it with a hairband or in a loose bun.
f. Brush your hair evenly
If your hair is subject to tangles, it’s probably not a good idea to keep it loose all day (especially in the wind) without brushing it. Brush your hair with a soft brush two to three times a day, especially before showering and before bed. Be gentle when brushing, ladies!
g. Rinse with cold water
We know this seems a little scary, especially during those cold winter months. But after a hot shower, your cuticles will open, causing frizz and tangles when drying. Rinsing hair with cold water before leaving the bath can seal, close and dry your hair gently to prevent tangles. Try next time … if you dare!
h. Choose the right products
Although there is a complete list of ingredients that we should avoid when choosing our hair care products, alcohol is really what should be avoided, as it dries out the hair and makes it more subject to tangles. Instead, opt for natural, sulfate-free, and alcohol-free products, or those designed specifically for tangled hair.
i. Variety of hairstyles is the key
When dealing with matted hair, it’s easy to toss your hair in a ponytail and forget about it. However, if you have done any research, you know how even a simple hair tie can be harmful to your hair. When you tie your hair in a ponytail, the fall and split ends are constant. So it is always a good idea to regularly comb your hair in a different way or tie it in different places on your head. You can also try wireless hair ties like Invisibobble or soft fabric hair ties for your ponytails and buns.
On the other hand, we recommend braiding your hair, especially if it is long and easily tangled. We love braids simply for their versatility. You can start the day with a tight braid (like a French braid or fishtail) and move on. Jump, dance, run, do whatever you want – the braid usually stays, but even if it doesn’t work and come out, now you have a beautiful braid, loose and messy as if you were trying on this look all the time.
The best part? Without us. No untangling and silently crying as the hairbrush pulls on your scalp again. Because it can get old every day. Just loosen your braid at the end of the day and gently comb your hair without tangles!
3. Useful tips to unravel
a. The configuration
If you are like us, untangling your hair is a routine. Therefore, we learn to make it something to look forward to instead of fearing. Some tips:
- Take a deep breath
- Put your favorite music or movie in the background
- Grab a glass of your favorite drink
- Support an e-book and read while you unveil
It sounds silly, but if you get distracted by some of your favorite activities, untangling your hair will make you much more patient, stress-free, and gentle.
b. The method
- Always divide your hair into manageable sections. We recommend dividing it into four parts – two tops and two bottoms – and working with one section at a time.
- Always use your fingers first to untangle as much as you can from the bottom up. This is the mildest way to significantly reduce the size of the node.
- Then, a wide tooth comb goes from bottom to top. You can also use a special brush to untangle. However, we recommend using only those that have flexible and soft bristles.
- That’s it – once all the knots are untied, you’re good to go!
c. Other useful tips
- Do not bathe with tangles. This can not only be painful and make tangles worse but also untangling wet hair makes it much more likely to break.
- On windy days or when you’re active, tie your hair up in a braid or ponytail to avoid those uncomfortable tangles.
- Use the conditioner to leave when you feel your hair is still dry after showering for extra hydration and flexibility.
