Help! How Do You Deal With Tangled Roots?

S

Sheabutterboy

Active Member
I find that whenever I comb everything is okay until I get to the roots, I can spend around half an hr per section on just the roots alone. Any tips? detangling currently take 3.5 hrs, my hair is just around armpit length
Fine hair
High density
Low porosity

Regimen
Keep hair twisted all the time- medium to big twists
Wash every two weeks- braid up my twists then was them
Comb once a month

Things I have tried
A steamer
Comb from ends to root
Slather in conditioner/detangler
Focused a huge amount of conditioner on my roots
Pre pooed overnight for softness.

Steamer help a little but not a lot, seems I need more heat for the products to penetrate
Any tips tricks would be welcome
I have tried to finger detangle takes me 8hrs too long, any tips would also be welcome

The next tip I am going to try is to do a stretch my hair twists with banding before wash day and see how that works.
 
The smaller your sections for detangling, the easier everything will be. Easier access to more hair to apply an appropriate amount of product. Your detangling tool won’t be fighting an excess amount of hair. I find the bigger my sections, the more hair I tend to lose when compared to the combined hair loss after going through smaller sections.

Try flat twisting rather than just two strand twisting your roots. That’s helped me SO MUCH to maintain moisture which means easier detangling.

As suggested above, maybe increase your combing frequency so that your hair doesn’t have as much opportunity to tangle up. If you wash every two weeks, you should thoroughly comb every two weeks, especially considering the tendencies shampoos have to tangling hair.

Also make sure to keep your hair slippery when you’re combing it. If you’re using conditioner to detangle make sure you’re also using an adequate amount of water. For me, I like to apply conditioner and then use my hands to spread water throughout. I have an easier time detangling when I use more water than when I don’t use enough.

What kind of comb are you using? Try using a wide tooth comb if you aren’t. Also shower brushes can be really helpful too.

Hope this helps!
 
What prepoo are you using? I like African pride aloe prepoo it’s very slippery and it’s cheap.
Increase combing.
Twists may be tangling at the roots so you may need to braid or band. Or smaller twists that you heavily moisturize and section at the roots. Depending on your daily styles you may need to add a gel/styler to keep your roots separated.
 
I use African pide pree poo as a detangler, Smaller twists are a nono for me due to tangling when taking them down/time-consuming to install. My routine has been so simple and easy, however the detangling has been letting me down and leading to thinning ends around the crown area. The most difficult part to detangle. I will try braiding the roots from now on after the next wash day, i was going to try stretching my hair more now after every wash, hopefully, that will help too
 
Another thing to consider is actually where you are parting for your twists. This can affect detangling difficulty.

I’ll use my hair as an example. So I always start with dividing my hair in half with a part down the middle. Then I divide those parts down the middle with a part running perpendicular to the first part. So essentially I’ve got the traditional four quadrant/section set up.
In the front two quadrants of my hair, I tend to have varied results with detangling. Now, I’ve noticed that I have two distinct cowlicks, I guess would be the appropriate term, on opposite sides of my hair. They are both about halfway into the section if I part down the middle (the same way I divide my hair in half at the very beginning). When I part my hair down this section by the cowlick, I’ve found it’s both easy to part and also the section that make up the cowlick are super easy to detangle.

If I don’t part down the cowlick, and instead choose to break up the section into a different parting situation (parting it sideways the way I do the second part to create a perpendicular part) I have greater difficulty detangling the crown of my hair.

I hope this makes sense. It’s kind of hard to explain. Basically even just how I part my hair can make it easier or more difficult to detangle. Perhaps you just need to find a new parting situation.
 
If you can find the VO5 moisture milk smoothie conditioner, those work really well. I used them with some olive oil added and it worked great. The more slip the condish has, the better. A wide-tooth comb is okay, but sometimes a final comb through with a fine-tooth comb is necessary.

Detangling once a week is helpful. Deep conditioning with heat to keep the hair moisturized is essential. Dry hair is tangly hair!
 
CurlyWhoCrux said:
Another thing to consider is actually where you are parting for your twists. This can affect detangling difficulty.

I’ll use my hair as an example. So I always start with dividing my hair in half with a part down the middle. Then I divide those parts down the middle with a part running perpendicular to the first part. So essentially I’ve got the traditional four quadrant/section set up.
In the front two quadrants of my hair, I tend to have varied results with detangling. Now, I’ve noticed that I have two distinct cowlicks, I guess would be the appropriate term, on opposite sides of my hair. They are both about halfway into the section if I part down the middle (the same way I divide my hair in half at the very beginning). When I part my hair down this section by the cowlick, I’ve found it’s both easy to part and also the section that make up the cowlick are super easy to detangle.

If I don’t part down the cowlick, and instead choose to break up the section into a different parting situation (parting it sideways the way I do the second part to create a perpendicular part) I have greater difficulty detangling the crown of my hair.

I hope this makes sense. It’s kind of hard to explain. Basically even just how I part my hair can make it easier or more difficult to detangle. Perhaps you just need to find a new parting situation.
Click to expand...

I am not sure I understand this but I do understand the concept of where you part making things easier because when it comes to my back crown section I do struggle to get the comb in that section without getting into other sections which is part of the problem.
 
Sheabutterboy said:
I am not sure I understand this but I do understand the concept of where you part making things easier because when it comes to my back crown section I do struggle to get the comb in that section without getting into other sections which is part of the problem.
Click to expand...

Yeah I figured it was confusing and only after realized that the phrase I was looking for is “natural parts,”. So there are sections of my hair that clearly have a natural part on both sides of my head, and when I part along that section it’s significantly easier to detangle.
 
Anewme2019 said:
My hair tangles everytime I wash it in 4 braids. It tangles right at the root area.
Click to expand...

Do you prepoo or detangle before shampooing? I think some tangles are inevitable. But if it’s causing you stress, then try either some of the suggestions mentioned here or I know there are lots of videos on YouTube with tips for detangling.
 
Last edited:
Hi guy so thanks for those that offered advice, I feel like its always nice to do a follow up just in case someone googles something similar and finds this thread. I ended up trying indigenous strandz finger detangling method.

She follows the tangles down thereby pushing the shed hairs down. it really helps me in my pre combing phase (realized I was finger detangling wrong). I hold the hair section out poke a finger like a comb would go through the hair and I run my fingers down the section following the tangle down.

I keep my hair in around 80 twists steamed, sprayed water, apply detangler, steamed my hair, then undid a twisted finger detangle, then I went in an afro comb which I broke in half in order for me to be able to comb twist by twist/successfully comb the roots in small sections. btw any idea where I can get a seamless afro comb?

Pro- finger detangling hybrid
Much better control
more relaxing affair
The heat of the steamer softens my hair

Con- Bloody time-consuming.......Huge con

Method 2
I also tried combing a section of my hair under running water,
Pro- less time consuming
Comb/brush glides through hair easier/quicker
the force of the water helped me push down my tangles

Con- the noise of the shower didn't allow me to hear if there were any snaps, indicating the need to stop and finger detangle
It was easier to glide through but I couldn't tell if I was breaking through the tangle or breaking through
I saw one or two broken hairs which gave me a pause.
 
I missed this thread but I'm glad you found what I was going to ask. I think finger detangling/separating before you comb will help with that. I have been primarily finger detangling for about a decade. I only comb my hair a 1-3 times a YEAR, usually only if I'm using heat. I learned that as a 4B natural and still do it now texlaxed. It does take longer but I find that being more gentle with my hair, especially those of us with fine strands, helps with my retention. Reducing mechanical damage has been most helpful! GL to you!!

Also, that whole detangling under the running shower water thing has never worked for me either, both natural or texlaxed, Lol.

ETA: From one fine-haired head to another, keep up your low manipulation regi! It will definitely pay off!! Oh, and regular lite to mild protein helps keep those strands strong! HHG! :)
 
Last edited:
I have the same type of hair (except medium density, but low porosity, near armpit stretched 4a (majority)/3c curl pattern. I finger detangle all the time. I haven't used a comb on my hair in years--combs are a recipe for disaster with my hair. Aspirationally wash and detangle my hair once weekly--sometimes it becomes bi-monthly, which means the detangling process takes longer. I use my fingers (first) and follow with the Wet Brush in the shower.

After detangling, I might have a good one day of untangled hair before the tangles start again. Finger detangling from the bottom up is key. I'll even be watching TV, and just start finger detangling in small sections.
 
Hi there! Fellow twister here!

I used to have big problems with the roots of my hair as well. Here’s some things that I did that helped.

I wash (co-wash, no shampoo) every week. Other wise my hair gets pretty dry and pretty tangly at the roots because of stuff like sweat, oil, and new growth. It can’t be helped, since it’s the youngest hair and therefore less trained than the rest.

I use Aussie moist very liberally.

When I slather a huge handful on my roots I start by smoothing my hair until it stretches and feels super flat and smooth. Just take each section and gently pull down over and over again until it loosens and smoothed out. When it feel really smooth, then start detangling. It helps me remove most all the tangles and shed hairs before I even start to finger comb.

I actually haven’t used a comb in years. Or shampoo. Almost every shampoo I used added tangles. Combing went against the natural curl pattern of my hair. It kept tangling up right after.

I deep condition every week with Giovanni Deeper Moisture conditioner. Heavy on the roots. I use the same smoothing process to ensure every strand is covered and everything stays stretched and smoothed.

I use an avocado hair smoothie mix after the DC, which has done an amazing job at softening, strengthening, and helping my hair to stay detangled.

I make my own flax seed gel and combine it with Eden Natural Curl Defining Creme.

When twist, I use my gel liberally, concentrating on the roots and ends.

I try to twist the roots very tightly. They will loosen as they dry, but it helps them from getting tangling.

(Also, I have small twist. So have like 50+. Just a let you know. This isn’t a recommendation.)

Finally, water reverts. When ever I do a heavy workout I try to keep my twist stretched until they dry. Typically two low pony tails or buns. It keeps the hair from unlocking at the roots and curling back up.


Yeah... just said a lot of things. Sorry if it’s too much. I’ve just spent the last 5 learning how to really care for my super tangly hair. There was a lot of trial and error to find out what my hair did and did not like. Now I’m lucky enough to have between HL and TBL hair. Just patient. Try new things and never give up.
 
I am a big fan of detangling sprays
And I use this detangling gel stuff for kids on my teen daughter. It used to come in a cream form, but now it is in a slippery gel like form.
It’s by Just For Me Curl Peace-tender head detangling treatment.
Use it on dry hair prior to shampooing
Detangle from ends to roots (leave on for 10-15 minutes of taking down a protected style)
Rinse
also, after detangling with a wide toothed comb, go over the section again with a rat tail comb.

My hair is coily from root to tip, so I understand how hair can get tangled in that area easily.
I love this stuff and it works like a charm.

It has glycerin in it, that’s why you use it before you wet your hair.
I hope this helps.
 
I didn't want to make a whole new thread, I just wanted to vent...i finally tried the method on my whole head as outlined below..... it took me around 9 hrs all together, it worked, little to no breakage but it was exhausting. I washed my hair put it into big twists braided ready to retwist the next day.

As I began retwisting I realized the shed hairs hadn't all been removed which cause tangles and breakage. So I had to comb, which cause some breakage as usual, this has left me feeling very frustrated and emotionally exhausted, I don't want to keep breaking my hair every time I comb it. Its like set back after set back. It feels like the tools out there aren't addressing my issues and whatever knowledge we had historically about our hair care has been lost because we decided to throw it away. It's annoying to feel like what else can I do?

On the plus side braiding the roots of my twists help and I bought the Hercules sage man comb which has wider teeth and more space than my normal wide tooth comb, so that allowed for easier detangling, cause it wasn't grabbing all the tangles at once. I am thinking of getting the Kazmeleje paddle brush, with wide teeth, looks like it could work well. https://www.kazmaleje.com/collections/hair-tools/products/preorder-kurlsplus-paddle-comb

That being said I am tired...:cry3:







Sheabutterboy said:
Hi guy so thanks for those that offered advice, I feel like its always nice to do a follow up just in case someone googles something similar and finds this thread. I ended up trying indigenous strandz finger detangling method.

She follows the tangles down thereby pushing the shed hairs down. it really helps me in my pre combing phase (realized I was finger detangling wrong). I hold the hair section out poke a finger like a comb would go through the hair and I run my fingers down the section following the tangle down.

I keep my hair in around 80 twists steamed, sprayed water, apply detangler, steamed my hair, then undid a twisted finger detangle, then I went in an afro comb which I broke in half in order for me to be able to comb twist by twist/successfully comb the roots in small sections. btw any idea where I can get a seamless afro comb?

Pro- finger detangling hybrid
Much better control
more relaxing affair
The heat of the steamer softens my hair

Con- Bloody time-consuming.......Huge con

Method 2
I also tried combing a section of my hair under running water,
Pro- less time consuming
Comb/brush glides through hair easier/quicker
the force of the water helped me push down my tangles

Con- the noise of the shower didn't allow me to hear if there were any snaps, indicating the need to stop and finger detangle
It was easier to glide through but I couldn't tell if I was breaking through the tangle or breaking through
I saw one or two broken hairs which gave me a pause.
Click to expand...
 
Sheabutterboy said:
I didn't want to make a whole new thread, I just wanted to vent...i finally tried the method on my whole head as outlined below..... it took me around 9 hrs all together, it worked, little to no breakage but it was exhausting. I washed my hair put it into big twists braided ready to retwist the next day.

As I began retwisting I realized the shed hairs hadn't all been removed which cause tangles and breakage. So I had to comb, which cause some breakage as usual, this has left me feeling very frustrated and emotionally exhausted, I don't want to keep breaking my hair every time I comb it. Its like set back after set back. It feels like the tools out there aren't addressing my issues and whatever knowledge we had historically about our hair care has been lost because we decided to throw it away. It's annoying to feel like what else can I do?

On the plus side braiding the roots of my twists help and I bought the Hercules sage man comb which has wider teeth and more space than my normal wide tooth comb, so that allowed for easier detangling, cause it wasn't grabbing all the tangles at once. I am thinking of getting the Kazmeleje paddle brush, with wide teeth, looks like it could work well. https://www.kazmaleje.com/collections/hair-tools/products/preorder-kurlsplus-paddle-comb

That being said I am tired...:cry3:
Click to expand...


I cannot comb my hair, either. The breakage is too much. One thing that I noticed is how I hold the comb in relation to the hair is the problem. I have the same issue when combing my children's hair.

Also my shrinkage is unreal so even when finger detangling my hair will curl up on itself before I can finish detangling a section. I've seen a few YT videos of naturals with long (WL) who have said that they don't try to finger detangle to 100% because they could end up with more breakage than necessary. I adopted this policy years ago as well.

Since I primarily wear two stand twists, one method of detangling that has helped me is to wear mini then medium then jumbo then medium them mini twists. My hair gets most thoroughly detangled with mini twists and less so with jumbo, but with this method I'm not constantly spending the 9 hour sessions finger detangling. With jumbo, twists, I'm removing superficial shed hairs, with the intention of just being able to part and style my hair.

When I do comb, the Hercules Sägemann 3comb smooth method. Breakage aside, it removes all of the shed hair and leaves my hair feeling so soft. :yep:
 
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