Why knot? A Simple Guide to Untangling Those Messy Knots

Thick, strong, lustrous hair is revered as a symbol of beauty by many cultures and is a much desired physical feature even today. However, we all know that maintaining a head full of hair is never easy! Whether it's naturally straight hair or small, tight curls, we all face frustrating obstacles such as hair tangling, frizz, dryness, and split ends. Knotty hair, in particular, can be quite a nightmare! Cleaning it out aggressively can make it even more prone to matting, and pulling it apart with your fingers can cause breakage. So, what can you do other than pulling at your knots? Here we will discuss some life-saving hacks that can help you detangle super knotted hair. But first, let's try and understand the reasons behind tangled hair.

What Causes Hair Tangling?

When your hair is damaged and dry hair tangling is caused. To help you understand this better, let's start by briefly looking at the basic structure of the hair. The hair shaft is comprised of three different layers of cells: medulla, cortex, and cuticle.

• The medulla is the hidden inner layer of the hair shaft.
• The thick middle layer is the cortex.
• The cuticle forms the outer protective layer.

A hair shaft with a healthy cuticle has a smooth surface and can hold moisture. However, when the hair's cuticle layer is damaged, it becomes very porous, breaks easily, and cannot seal in moisture, thus resulting in frizz and dryness.

How to Detangle Hair: Simple Tips for Different Hair Types

Everyone has different hair & different hair types have different quirks. Possibilities are a game-changing tip that may work for detangling straight, long hair may not necessarily work for detangling thick, curly hair. So, here are some detangling tips for different hair types:

How to Detangle Straight Hair

Straight hair is generally classified as type 1 hair. Straight, short, and thin hair tends to become greasy easily as the oil from the sebaceous glandules travels down the hair shaft faster. Most men and women with thin, fine hair manage to make the common mistake of skipping conditioner after shampooing their hair as they feel conditioning will leave their hair looking overly slick and oily. This, however, is a mistaken assumption.

Every hair type requires some kind of nurture, and skipping on conditioner will only result in dry, brittle, and under-nourished hair that is more apt to tangle. Instead, choose a conditioner that is particularly formulated for oily hair. Once you have let the conditioner soak in, gently brush your hair out using a detangling or wide-toothed comb. One other cardinal rule to remember is to always pat your hair dry and never towel dry it by rubbing it firmly. Vigorous rubbing will create friction and damage your hair. Instead, use a soft T-shirt or a microfiber hair towel to gently squeeze out the excess water.

How to Detangle Thick, Curly Hair

Hair types 2, 3, and 4 range from wavy to curly to very tightly coiled curls. While the level of curliness may vary from individual to individual, thick and curly is usually more tolerant to things like heat, hair color, and other harsh hair care products. Many men and women with type 4 hair - especially 4b and 3c hair - find the detangling process stimulating. Here's how to detangle thick, curly hair easily:

• Start by detangling your hair in the shower. Working your way through the knots is always easier when you have some moisture or conditioner in your hair.
• Work in small sections at a time, always starting from the bottom and working your way up.
• Finger detangling is an effective way to smoothen out knots as it allows you to feel the bigger tangles and knots in your hair and gently work your way around them.
• In 4a, 4b, and 3c hair types, the curls can sometimes be tightly coiled and particularly stubborn. Deeply moisturizing shampoo and conditioner are recommended for detangling 4a, 4b, and 3c hair types.

How to De-tangle Chemically Processed Hair

Chemical-laden hair treatments such as perming, bleaching, coloring, keratin treatment, and relaxers make your hair more sensitive to damage, making it fragile, coarse, and dry. You need to detangle chemically treated hair with extra care. Avoid brushing out your knots while your hair is still wet. Instead, spritz your hair generously with a leave-in detangling spray or conditioner before brushing out your knots with a wide-toothed comb. Another downside to chemical treatments is that they can make your hair more likely to split ends. So, it is important to cut off those weak, dehydrated tips every couple of months to protect your hair from further breakage.

Do's

• De-tangle Hair When It Is Wet Or Damp
• Use A Sulfate-Free Shampoo
• Deep Condition Your Hair
• Divide Your Hair Into Sections
• Use A Seamless Comb
• Use Your Fingers to Get Rid Of Tangles
• Get Regular Trims
• Cover Your Hair
• Deep Treatments

Don'ts

• Don't Start De-tangling From The Roots
• Don't Play With Your Hair
• Don't Sleep With Your Hair Down
• Don't Shampoo Your Hair Too Much
• Don't Blow-Dry And Heat Style Your Hair Too Often
• Don't Wash Your Hair With Chlorinated Or Hard Water
• Don't Use Rubber Bands And Elastic Hair Ties