Detangling Woes

Detangling Woes

Today you ask Why is it such a fight when it comes to detangling my hair?

Many natural hair sisters struggle with detangling issues. To help you better understand why and how. Here are a few tips.

First things first… Natural Hair does NOT mean skip or “Pass Go Salon”. So many women “Go Natural” to avoid the cost and time spent at salons. Well if this is the reason you went natural, in comes reality (slaps across face) that is THE WORSE thing you can do. In the transitioning phase hair is more resistant. Hair has memory and has to be trained what to do. So in the beginning your hair will be tighter in curl pattern and some areas will be denser than others.  

Trims

All hair requires trims periodically. This helps remove and prevent split ends. Split ends and two textures of hair will cause tangles. If you are transitioning to become natural from relaxers (no it’s not a perm- perm makes hair curly not straight) you must must MUST cut off that relaxed hair. Too many times I’ve seen women come in with a tangled bird’s nest on their head because they are too scared to do The Big Chop because they lack length. Welp, guess what, if you don’t and you shampoo your hair like you would if you had relaxed tresses…you are going to have a hot tangled mess on your head.  Trims are so vital when rocking natural hair. They help to eliminate tangling.

Shampooing

When shampooing natural hair, you CANNOT shampoo it as if you have straight or relaxed hair. Brush hair, prior to wetting, with a wood paddle brush. Then wet hair with water. Apply shampoo in your hands and emulsify (rubbing hands together) apply shampoo on outer perimeter. Work up lather by very gently rubbing hands together on small sections of hair. Once lathered run fingers through sections to further distribute product. If you need to scratch your scalp, insert fingers at scalp scratch in small sections. Each time you want to move to another section remove fingers and reinsert near that area. By taking your time to shampoo, you reduce the chances of your hair tangling during shampooing. As you rinse run fingers through your hair. Make sure water runs clear before applying conditioner.

Conditioning

After you have fully rinsed out shampoo, now you may apply your conditioner. Do the same as shampoo by putting conditioner in palm of hand, emulsifying and applying to sections. Use your cleaned wood paddle brush to help with distributing product and keeping hair tangle free. After you have brushed your tresses, use wide toothed comb, utilizing short strokes to prevent breakage. Once you are able to comb through freely, rinse conditioner out with cool water while smoothing with fingers. Rinse until water runs clear.

Drying

Now its time to towel blot your hair. Take towel and wrap completely around hair, then squeeze. Pull towel down hair slowly, while continuing to squeeze. Remember to squeeze as tight as possible or wring hair with towel. NEVER NEVER NEVER place towel on hair and rub across hair in a back and forth or side to side motion. This is how you get tangles.  You are trying to prevent tangling. After you have removed all excess water from hair, you are now ready to apply finishing product and style or blow dry. Apply 1-quarter size amount of product and emulsify then apply in sections. If you are styling proceed to style. Blow-drying alternate from hot to cool settings to lock in moisture. (ex. 3mins hot, 2mins cool or 5mins hot & 2mins cool) 

By getting regular professional salon trims and taking your time during shampooing, conditioning and drying; you will have much less tangling. Contrary to popular belief, natural hair does not alleviate salon visits, especially during your transition. Natural hair is super fun, sexy, and elegant with a plethora of styling options. Have fun with your hair but make sure to take care of it.  Natural hair will stress you if you are not S.imply K.eeping Y.our H.air H.ealthy!