6 Do's And Don'ts To Detangling Your Natural Hair

Whether it’s wash day or the middle of the week, detangling your natural hair can be a nightmare without the proper routine in place. Frustration can build up if you’re dealing with stubborn knots and tangles. How would you feel if you can make the process easier? Keep reading to discover the most important do’s and don’ts to detangling your natural hair.

How To Detangle Your Natural Hair: 6 Do’s And Don’ts To Avoid Breakage

1. Do Detangle On Wet or Damp Hair

The number one rule to detangling your natural hair is to always detangle hair that is wet or damp. Combing or brushing dry hair for natural hair types can weaken your hair’s elasticity and cause breakage. Water is a lubricant and naturally adds slip which makes detangling easier. Refreshing your hair during the week? Spritz hair lightly with water using a spray bottle or a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner like our hair refresher spray Boost before combing and brushing your hair. 

2. Don’t Detangle with A Fine-Tooth Comb

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Detangling with the wrong tools can literally make or break your hair. The first piece of advice – put down the fine-tooth comb and start using your fingers instead. Finger detangling is one of the best ways to be gentle with your hair while separating knots. Here’s how to do it correctly: using your favorite conditioner or leave-in, gently rake and pull tangles apart, allowing the hair to naturally separate. Take your time working through the tangles to minimize and prevent breakage.

We recommend the combo of finger detangling first then finishing with a wide-tooth comb or a curl-friendly detangling brush to distribute product effectively and to make your curls pop.

3. Do Use A Product With Slip

Water and any conditioning product are your BFF when it comes to detangling. A conditioner or leave-in conditioner with slip like our own Indulge or Lavish is the MVP for your detangling sessions. Slip is essential in the detangling process because it allows your fingers or tools to glide through your hair and helps to pull apart knots with ease. Key ingredients like marshmallow root, slippery elm, avocado oil, olive oil, and glycerin will help to melt through tangles, soften the hair, and reduce time. 

4. Do Detangle In Sections

Sectioning your hair will make your detangling sessions more effective. Depending on your hair length and density, the number of sections can vary from four to eight. Or as many as you need. If your hair is very matted, smaller sections will be more effective as you can miss hidden knots if detangling in larger sections. Use hair clips to keep your sections organized and the rest of your hair out of the way. 

5. Don’t Start Detangling At The Roots

Key rule: always detangle starting from your ends. Detangling your hair starting from the roots will cause tension and potential breakage. Best tip: Detangle your hair slowly from ends to roots using your fingers and a detangling brush. Once each section is detangled, braid, twist or clip your hair to prevent it from tangling up again.

6. Do Have Patience

When detangling your natural hair having patience is key and the secret ingredient to preventing breakage. Take the time to detangle your hair once or twice a week to help ease frustration, hair loss, or even tears. If your wash days are not improving, it may be time for a trim. Be sure to trim your hair about every three months to avoid any major headaches. Once your hair is tangle-free, keep your hands off and remember to protect it every night with a bonnet or silk pillowcase. 

Did you enjoy our 6 do’s and don’ts to detangling natural hair? What was your favorite tip? Share with us in the comments.