Key Takeaways
- Detangle wet hair with conditioner, starting from the ends with your fingers, then using a wide tooth comb. For dry hair, use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil, and work in sections.
- Dryness, heat styling, split ends, and rough handling can cause tangled hair.
- Prevent knots with gentle care and Nº.5 Leave-In Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner for continuous care from cortex to cuticle.
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Knot Anymore: Managing Tangled Hair and Knots
We all know the struggle: you’re trying to get a comb through your hair, only to be met with resistance in the form of knots. While removing the tangles in your hair can feel like a challenge, using the right techniques and products makes the process easier. Manage knotted hair and prevent breakage with this guide to detangling.
What Causes Hair Tangling?
Tangled hair occurs when two strands of hair wrap around each other to form a knot. If this happens to multiple strands of hair, removing the knots becomes more difficult. Damaged hair is more prone to tangling, while stronger hair doesn’t tangle as frequently. Other factors that can cause hair tangling include:
- Using harsh haircare products
- Over-washing your hair
- Massaging too aggressively while shampooing
- Lack of proper hydration
- Frequent heat styling
- Rubbing hair with a towel
- Sleeping with hair loose
- Wind exposure
- Split ends
- Inconsistent brushing or overbrushing
Detangling Wet Hair
For most hair types and textures, we recommend detangling your hair after you’ve applied conditioner. If you have curly, wavy, and/or coarser hair, here’s what you should do:
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After shampooing, or once your hair is wet, generously apply conditioner throughout your hair.
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Using your fingers, gently comb through your hair, beginning at the ends and working your way up. Avoid speeding through the process, as this can cause breakage.
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Once you’ve removed most of your tangles, switch to a wide tooth comb and repeat the process, moving from the ends of your hair to the roots.
Detangling Dry Hair
For finer and/or straighter hair types, you’ll be better off detangling your hair dry with the help of conditioning products, like this:
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Apply a hair oil, leave-in conditioner, or detangling product throughout your hair.
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Divide your hair into four small sections, working on one section at a time to help you slow down and prevent damage.
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Using a wide tooth comb or a brush, start going through your hair from the ends while gently working your way upward. Be careful not to yank your hair.
How to Prevent Tangled Hair
Preventing tangled hair starts with a great haircare routine. Try these tips and products to reduce knots and promote healthier-looking hair:
- Avoid shampooing the ends of your hair, as this can cause dryness, which leads to tangling.
- Sleep with a silk pillowcase to reduce friction on your hair.
- Avoid fine-tooth combs and use a brush or a wide tooth comb while detangling.
- Don’t skip conditioner, especially before detangling wet hair.
- Dry your hair with a microfiber towel instead of a cotton one.
- Be gentle while shampooing your hair and opt for an SLS and SLES-free shampoo to prevent dryness.
- Apply heat protectant before styling with hot tools.
- Get regular trims, ideally every four to six weeks to prevent split ends.
- Avoid haircare products that are overly drying or harsh.
- Protect your hair with a scarf or hat while it’s windy.
- Detangle your hair regularly to tackle knots while they’re still small.
Prevent Tangles with Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™
Use OLAPLEX® Nº.5LEAVE-IN™ Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner before air-drying or blow-drying your hair. Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™ immediately improves visible hair health for stronger and healthier-looking hair. Reduce breakage by 81%* and increase moisture by 92%* after just one use with Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™. Using hot tools? Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™ provides heat protection up to 450°F or 232ºC.
*As tested in a clinical facility using curly hair.