Detangling: Updated, Collective Wisdom As Of 2016

[Sharpened]

For those detangling under running water, tepid to warm is best. Hot or too warm water cause the hair's hydrogen bonds to tighten up, making detangling more difficult. I know this and did not realize I had the water too warm until I had struggled with a knot. As soon as I lowered the temp, detangling became much easier. I think I had posted this before but reminders can be a good thing.

 

[Sharpened]

As your hair grows longer, make slight changes to your technique. For those detangling under running water, lean your head to the side at various angles. This allows more water and product to hit individual strands to improve shed removal.

 

[trueheartofgold]

@YvetteWithJoy, are you stlll using the KareCo brush to detangle? I'm looking for a detangling tool. Would you recommend it or something else? Thank you!

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@YvetteWithJoy, are you stlll using the KareCo brush to detangle? I'm looking for a detangling tool. Would you recommend it or something else? Thank you!

Hi, true!

Yes! I'm still using it. It's AMAZING for detangling my hair.

I can't say whether it's damaging over the long term because I haven't been using it that long.

Also, I don't know if it's great for 4b or 4c hair. But for coily hair with pen-spring-sized coils? I highly recommend it with the caveat that I don't know about its effect on the hair long term.

My detangling woes are over barring no long term problems. This brush is a magic godsend for me.

 

[Sharpened]

 

[Firstborn2]

Thanks for the reminder @Sharpened. At the beginning of my hair journey I use to finger detangle, this is when I saw the best results. Over time I became increasingly inpatient. I'm going to back to this.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Excellent. She's great.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[vevster]

Probably already said but I'm loving my prepoo detangling/treatment. It makes the rest of my wash so much easier. I only detangle damp to wet hair. NOT dry. I use a combo of finger detangling and jilbere shower comb.

That works for me.

 

[MissMusic]

Probably already said but I'm loving my prepoo detangling/treatment. It makes the rest of my wash so much easier. I only detangle damp to wet hair. NOT dry. I use a combo of finger detangling and jilbere shower comb.

That works for me.

Pre-poo also makes the most difference for me. I detangle post cleanse, but before during my pre-poo step I separate my ends, get shed hair out, and find any knots using just water in spray bottle. Then I apply coconut oil and let that sit over night. Next morning when I get to detangling, takes 10-15 minutes.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

This is not my knowledge, but old school knowledge I guess. I have been putting grease on my hair and mostly on my ends and they have been staying tangled free for two weeks now. I have detangled twice just to see. And it's a breeze. I am enjoying this!

 

[Sosoothing]

This is not my knowledge, but old school knowledge I guess. I have been putting grease on my hair and mostly on my ends and they have been staying tangled free for two weeks now. I have detangled twice just to see. And it's a breeze. I am enjoying this!

What kind of grease? Like petroleum jelly?

 

[I Am So Blessed]

What kind of grease? Like petroleum jelly?

Blue Magic the original

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Blue Magic the original

TFS

How exactly are you applying it? Are you brushing it in? How does it compare to using shea butter for the same reason/effect?

 

[I Am So Blessed]

TFS

How exactly are you applying it? Are you brushing it in? How does it compare to using shea butter for the same reason/effect?

Well I applied less than a dime size to each section of hair. I make about 8 sections. Then I apply another dab on the ends of each section, just a dab. I don't put it in my scalp because it's unnecessary for me. I have done this twice in 16 days so far, I could have just did it once because you don't have to reapply grease.

I still moisturize with my regular moisturizers of course. The grease really locks the moisture in and does not lock it out.

As far as comparing grease to Shea butter I'm not sure because I tried Shea butter once and was not "wow'ed" by it on first try so I let it go rotting in the cabinet, found it a few months later.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Well I applied less than a dime size to each section of hair. I make about 8 sections. Then I apply another dab on the ends of each section, just a dab. I don't put it in my scalp because it's unnecessary for me. I have done this twice in 16 days so far, I could have just did it once because you don't have to reapply grease.

I still moisturize with my regular moisturizers of course. The grease really locks the moisture in and does not lock it out.

As far as comparing grease to Shea butter I'm not sure because I tried Shea butter once and was not "wow'ed" by it on first try so I let it go rotting in the cabinet, found it a few months later.

Thanks. Very helpful.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

Thanks. Very helpful.

Three good things are:
It's cheap (economically, not in quality).

There's nothing to lose for trying it (like permanent chemicals)

You can get it anywhere, (no PayPal needed).

Try it, Try it Sam I am,
Try this cheap grease & blue jam....

I'm corny.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Three good things are:
It's cheap (economically, not in quality).

There's nothing to lose for trying it (like permanent chemicals)

You can get it anywhere, (no PayPal needed).

Try it, Try it Sam I am,
Try this cheap grease & blue jam....

I'm corny.

Me, too!

I think you're cute. But yes: Those are very good points.

 

[long.hair.dont.care]

I've been in PS mode for 2 months, going on 3. I'm planning for a takedown in November. Naturally, I'm dreading a wash day that is 4 weeks away.

I was going to mix my usual ACV, water, and vatika coconut oil to detangle. Followed by the flat iron on low heat to help get rid of the shed hair. I've tried that before and it worked.

But I think I'll try what was suggested in the OLD Braids Takedown video and then asses if i needed to use the flat iron... My reformed mix will have ACV, water, glycerin*, marshmellow root* and vatika coconut oil. I also bought Soultanicals Knot Sauce Detangler so maybe I'll go half and half and decide what to stick to.

 

[Alma Petra]

I have excessive shedding and the shed hairs like to tangle up in my hair. I used to use a wide tooth comb but I bought the hercules sägemann comb and it's even wider-toothed and it's definitely made detangling even easier even though it's less slippery than my previous comb. It seems that the wider the better.

 

[long.hair.dont.care]

Forget what I said in my last post, my goodness, pre-pooing the way Chicoro suggested saved me!

I used an aloe vera leaf's gel mixed with apricot kernel oil, and then used the brand dabur vatika's coconut oil on top. I washed it out after 3 hours. The coconut oil got messy as I was by the stove making pancakes, but it was worth it.

I was expecting the worst after protective styling for 3 months. I've experienced "the worse" before. I brought scissors, a brush and a comb into the shower. To my surprise, only the scissors were useful. I didn't have to spend over an hour finger detangling. I didnt have much-shed hair for 3 months worth. Some of the sheds I did have easily came out with the help of running water. And some took work, of course. But overall, it was a successful wash day. I credit the pre-poo. Right now I'm drying my hair in 3 bantu knots under a cotton t-shirt.

I really want my own aloe vera plant at home after this experience.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Forget what I said in my last post, my goodness, pre-pooing the way Chicoro suggested saved me!

I used an aloe vera leaf's gel mixed with apricot kernel oil, and then used the brand dabur vatika's coconut oil on top. I washed it out after 3 hours. The coconut oil got messy as I was by the stove making pancakes, but it was worth it.

I was expecting the worst after protective styling for 3 months. I've experienced "the worse" before. I brought scissors, a brush and a comb into the shower. To my surprise, only the scissors were useful. I didn't have to spend over an hour finger detangling. I didnt have much-shed hair for 3 months worth. Some of the sheds I did have easily came out with the help of running water. And some took work, of course. But overall, it was a successful wash day. I credit the pre-poo. Right now I'm drying my hair in 3 bantu knots under a cotton t-shirt.

I really want my own aloe vera plant at home after this experience.

Cosigning!!!

That prepoo is the business.

 

[Aggie]

Forget what I said in my last post, my goodness, pre-pooing the way Chicoro suggested saved me!

I used an aloe vera leaf's gel mixed with apricot kernel oil, and then used the brand dabur vatika's coconut oil on top. I washed it out after 3 hours. The coconut oil got messy as I was by the stove making pancakes, but it was worth it.

I was expecting the worst after protective styling for 3 months. I've experienced "the worse" before. I brought scissors, a brush and a comb into the shower. To my surprise, only the scissors were useful. I didn't have to spend over an hour finger detangling. I didnt have much-shed hair for 3 months worth. Some of the sheds I did have easily came out with the help of running water. And some took work, of course. But overall, it was a successful wash day. I credit the pre-poo. Right now I'm drying my hair in 3 bantu knots under a cotton t-shirt.

I really want my own aloe vera plant at home after this experience.

Cosigning!!!

That prepoo is the business.

+3

 

[Chicoro]

I'm not getting tangles anymore. It's the first time in my life since I can remember. I finger tangle, never combine my braids all together, keep the hair stretched in braids and saturate my hair with Shea butter.

My maintenance process:
My ends are wet with warm to hot water and then rinsed and coated with castor oil. When I'm good, I put my hair under a plastic cap to sleep.

My wash process:
I wet my braids to unravel, coat with my prep00, then wash, condition with heat and slather on my SCURL and Shea butter mix and re-braid.

 

[RossBoss]

At what length does most natural hair begin to give problems with detangling? I big chopped over the summer and now my natural hair is going towards ear length unstretched so I'm guessing it is too short to detangle because my hair does not tangle whatsoever but I'm thinking that at a certain length I too will be having the knots and tangles that most people on here are experiencing.

 

[Chicoro]

At what length does most natural hair begin to give problems with detangling? I big chopped over the summer and now my natural hair is going towards ear length unstretched so I'm guessing it is too short to detangle because my hair does not tangle whatsoever but I'm thinking that at a certain length I too will be having the knots and tangles that most people on here are experiencing.

I would say the first point is shoulder length. As soon as it hits your shoulders you may start to experience issues. I've personally found that I had to change my process at several hair length points:

• Shoulder length
• Bra- strap
• Mid-back
• Waist
• Beyond waist

The longer you go, the more rigid or stringent your process may need to be to retain healthier hair at the longer lengths. I'm talking about for textured, natural afro hair that shrinks.

 

[Chicoro]

I've been in PS mode for 2 months, going on 3. I'm planning for a takedown in November. Naturally, I'm dreading a wash day that is 4 weeks away.

I was going to mix my usual ACV, water, and vatika coconut oil to detangle. Followed by the flat iron on low heat to help get rid of the shed hair. I've tried that before and it worked.

But I think I'll try what was suggested in the OLD Braids Takedown video and then asses if i needed to use the flat iron... My reformed mix will have ACV, water, glycerin*, marshmellow root* and vatika coconut oil. I also bought Soultanicals Knot Sauce Detangler so maybe I'll go half and half and decide what to stick to.

Why did you decide to do the pre-poo mix instead of the above? Did a video pop up or a thread on LHCF? What was the deciding factor for you to change your mind and go with a completely different process, the moisturizing pre-poo, for such a critical point in your hair journey (coming out of a long-term protective style)?

 

[Colocha]

At what length does most natural hair begin to give problems with detangling? I big chopped over the summer and now my natural hair is going towards ear length unstretched so I'm guessing it is too short to detangle because my hair does not tangle whatsoever but I'm thinking that at a certain length I too will be having the knots and tangles that most people on here are experiencing.

I found that I first started to have issues at Shoulder Length, like @Chicoro.

However, it has gotten easier now that it's longer. At around BSL+ I was able to pull my hair to where I could see it, so I have been able to cut single strand knots and little bits of breakage that normally serve as the lead point for tangles for me.

Roller setting to stretch my hair has helped a lot too. The stretch stops my strands from winding around each other so much.

 

[Chicoro]

I found that I first started to have issues at Shoulder Length, like @Chicoro.

However, it has gotten easier now that it's longer. At around BSL+ I was able to pull my hair to where I could see it, so I have been able to cut single strand knots and little bits of breakage that normally serve as the lead point for tangles for me.

Roller setting to stretch my hair has helped a lot too. The stretch stops my strands from winding around each other so much.

Stretching afro textured hair is key to retaining and gaining length!

 

[RossBoss]

Thanks everyone for the responses.

I just realized something. I wash my hair daily with a very mild shampoo bar and plan to be a daily washer for life AND I use a grease/pomade everyday along with a leave in conditioner. I am wondering if daily washing and the use of the pomade will spare me from the hassle of knots and tangles? I'll update sometime next year when I am actually at shoulder length and let everyone know.

 

[long.hair.dont.care]

Why did you decide to do the pre-poo mix instead of the above? Did a video pop up or a thread on LHCF? What was the deciding factor for you to change your mind and go with a completely different process, the moisturizing pre-poo, for such a critical point in your hair journey (coming out of a long-term protective style)?

There's a few reasons...

I always prepoo with coconut oil. It's the only time my hair agrees with it or if it's mixed with another oil. It naturally seemed like a better idea because my hair was on the dry side and I always need, imo, way too much ACV to break up the tangles.

I've honestly always wanted to try that pre-poo for years but I was scared of aloe. When I was younger and lurking these boards, I remember reading about aloe and it's moisturising properties. This was around 10 years ago and I think I misunderstood the term aloe vera gel (from the leaf) for the aloe vera gel that's 100% gel. I went to my hairdressers with dried aloe vera gel (not from the leaf) and it was no fun, a lot of tangles on dry hair. She had no choice to comb and it was painful to have had soo much hair break off.

I was coming back from Thailand and felt tropical.

No matter what, my hair needs slip. For that, the leaf is easier to find and prep in comparison to marshmallow root.