Detangling your hair can be daunting, especially during the summer months where chlorine, saltwater, and sun exposure can dry out the hair and leave it more prone to tangles. Plus, if you’re not careful with how you work out those knots, you’ll risk causing even more damage.
However, with this useful guide, we’re here to provide you with the best ways to detangle your hair to prevent breakage and live your best healthy hair life this summer.
PREP YOUR HAIR BEFORE YOU DETANGLE
1. Be gentle with your hair and avoid rubbing or scrubbing when washing.
When washing your hair, it can be tempting to scrub vigorously when lathering up your shampoo. However, excessive rubbing can cause friction, leading to tangled and knotted hair. Instead, focus on cleansing your scalp and smoothing your hair as you go. There's no need to work the shampoo into the lengths of your hair; simply target the roots, where oil tends to build up the most. The lather will gently clean the rest of your hair as you rinse it out.
2. Let your conditioner sink in before rinsing.
Hair is like a sponge and will only soak up so much moisture before reaching its maximum intake. Therefore, if you’re applying conditioner onto soaking wet hair, the hair won’t be able to absorb all the nutrients within the formula. You’ll want to squeeze out excess water or if possible, gently towel-dry your hair before applying conditioner to your lengths and ends. Let this soak in for about 3-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Your hair will have gained the benefits from the conditioner and will be ready for detangling.
TOP 5 STEPS TO DETANGLE YOUR HAIR
1. Make sure your hair is moist before detangling.
If your hair is moist and soft before you begin detangling, you’ll be able to work through the knots much easier. This is where the effects of your conditioner will benefit you most, however for those with dry or porous hair, we recommend spritzing a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner into your lengths. This will help further nourish your strands and release any knots.
2. Detangle with your fingers first.
Don’t go straight in with a comb or brush and instead work around knotted or matted areas with your fingers as this will avoid hair breakage. Be gentle, try not to rip any of your strands, and work through the biggest tangles with your fingertips.
3. Use the right brush or comb to work out knots.
The right brush or comb is key when detangling as you want something that will give the least amount of tension to avoid snapping your strands. Only use a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush – preferably one with flex bristles – as these will be much gentler on your hair.
4. Start from the ends and work your way up.
For the love of your strands, please do not go straight in at the root and work your way down! This will result in a snapping sound which is quite literally, the sound of your hair breaking. Instead, begin detangling at the ends of your hair and gradually work your way up to the scalp.
5. Take your time and be gentle.
We know it’s a frustrating, tiring process but it really is important to be gentle and just take your time - especially because hair is most fragile when it’s wet. Follow each step and gently work through those tangles and you’ll be left with silky, smooth strands.
HOW TO STOP YOUR HAIR FROM GETTING TANGLED
1. Invest in a silk pillowcase.
A cotton pillowcase is rougher and can cause too much friction on the hair, leading to frizz and knots. Silk is much smoother and less absorbent meaning your hair will also stay hydrated better throughout the night. If you’re not keen on replacing your pillowcase, you could purchase a silk scarf to wrap up your locks instead.
2. Keep your hair nourished with a leave-in conditioner.
Unlike regular conditioner that you rinse out in the shower, leave-in conditioner is designed to be left in your hair, providing continuous nourishment and hydration throughout the day and night. This will not only help with detangling, but it will also work to repair damage, reduce breakage, and enhance shine for a healthy finish.
3. Give your hair and scalp a thorough cleanse to remove product build-up.
While we have raised the importance of keeping hair hydrated to effectively detangle, there is such thing as too much moisture. For those with highly porous hair, adequate hydration is essential, whereas low porosity hair may struggle to absorb excess moisture, leading to product build-up and tangled locks.
If you find that nourishing products seem to just sit on your hair without being absorbed, it might be time to consider giving your hair and scalp a detox. A detox can help remove impurities and build-up, allowing your hair to regain its natural vitality. We recommend a clarifying shampoo or a purifying clay mask to gently cleanse and rebalance the scalp. You can shop online or pop into your nearest Supercuts salon and speak to our expert stylists, who will recommend the best products for your hair type.
