You wake up in the morning, go to brush your hair, and realize something terrible: there’s a huge knot back there. A brush isn’t enough to get rid of this tangle, but you can’t just leave your hair like that. What are you supposed to do?

Detangling hair seems scary; you don’t want to break it! We’re here with a few tips that can make it easier.

First: Wet or Dry?

This is especially true if you’re trying to figure out how to detangle matted hair (though that may require professional help).

Many people will tell you that you should only ever detangle hair when it’s dry, but this isn’t really true. Those people don’t understand how to detangle curly hair. Because of the different hair texture, you should detangle curly hair when it’s wet (or at the very least, damp after using a curly girl plop towel).

Products That Can Help Detangling

You don’t have to detangle your hair without the help of hair products. Products can reduce breakage (regardless of your hair type) and make the detangling process a breeze.

First, try a conditioner. Whatever conditioner you already have at home will be adequate.

If you’re detangling with wet hair, apply the conditioner as you always would in the shower and let it sit. If you’re detangling with dry hair, you can apply a thin layer of conditioner (from the tips up).

You can also use a detangling spray or a detangler for matted hair. This spray coats your hair and gives it more “slip” so it’s easier to detangle.

You can also use oil. Hair oils are effective, but oils that you already have in your pantry (such as coconut oil) will also work.

Use the Right Tools

When you detangle your hair, you don’t want to use a standard brush or a fine-toothed comb. Instead, try a hair pick, wide-toothed come, or better yet: your fingers.

Finger-combing should always be your first choice. If it’s not an option, you should still try to separate sections of your hair with your fingers so you can remove as many tangles as possible before you start combing.

Standard brushes and fine-toothed combs can get stuck in tangles and make them worse.

Start from the Bottom

If you’re panicking, you might be tempted to brush your hair the normal way (from the scalp down). This isn’t a good choice if you’re trying to get rid of a stubborn knot!

Imagine your hair as if it was a cluster of cords. Would it be helpful to start at the tightest part of the cluster, or is it easier when you start with the looser sections and work your way up?

It’s a slow process, but starting at the bottom will minimize damage

Detangling Hair Doesn’t Have to be Hard

We know how stressful detangling hair can be. Try these tips next time you have a stubborn knot and you’ll ease your way back into soft and silky hair.

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