5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Prevent Tangles and Damaged Hair

That feeling when you wake up with tangled hair and you’re trying to brush through it just to start your day but you end up with painful knots and a headache… no thanks. Ever been so frustrated by the matted mess and tangles that impatience gets the best of you and you’d rather just chop it all off? We know what you’re feeling.

There’s no denying that maintaining your long, beautiful, curly or straight hair requires good care. Just knowing what products to use - and how to use them, you can learn to detangle matted hair in a totally normal (and sane) way.

We’re sharing our insider tips on how to get rid of tangles - and the damage that comes along with them - and setting you up for preventing knots in the first place. Read on for our best tips and tricks on how to detangle your hair without damage.

Our Tips to Preventing Tangled Hair

Your hair is more likely to tangle if it’s thick and curly or long and fine (sorry, ladies… we don’t make the rules). Texture, not brushing your hair enough throughout the day, wind, sleeping with your hair down and overall healthiness of the hair can contribute to tangling and matting. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to never ever having tangles again, there are some steps you can take and some things you can add to your daily beauty routine to minimize the tangling and prevent the damage that comes from trying to rid those hair knots.

1. First and Foremost, Always Condition!

Woman Conditioning Hair

Conditioner is your bff! Shampoo cleans the hair with chemicals called surfactants: soaps that remove debris from the scalp and hair. While shampoo opens the hair’s cuticles, the conditioner seals it back up - soaking in all the nutrients that strengthen your hair, prevent breakage, split ends and even hair loss. Applying conditioner after shampoo will help to restore moisture, and improve the feel, appearance and manageability of hair. Its’ main job is to reduce friction between the strands of your hair and allow for smoother brushing or combing.

Pro tip: give the conditioner time to soak into the hair a little longer when in use. Put your multitasking skills to the test and apply the conditioner before doing all your other shower tasks (body washing, shaving, you name it). This will increase its effects.

2. Opt Out of Everyday Use of Your Straightener, Curler and Blow Dryer

Hot Tools - Salon Blow Dryer and Straightener

Constant use of your hot tools exposes your hair strands to a LOT of heat, leaving them dull, dry and coarse. With this, your hair is more susceptible to split-ends, breakage and thus… tangling! The more heat you use, and the more frequently you use it, the worse the damage and breakage will be. We know it’s hard to stay away from using them, so if you need to, use a heat protectant before you style and maintain a low to medium temperature setting.

3. Go to Bed with Your Hair “Protected”

Protected Hair While Sleep

Tossing and turning can do more than keep you up at night. Just sleeping on your pillow can rub your hair into a matted mess overnight. When your hair rubs against a cotton pillowcase, moisture is drawn out of it, leaving it easier to tangle. Before going to bed, we recommend a loose braid to protect and minimize friction. And if you can’t braid (we get it), tie your hair up in a loose bun. Investing in a silk pillowcase can also help maintain the natural oils in your hair and allow for less friction between your hair and the surface it sleeps on; keeping that bed head under control.

4. Find A Detangling Brush that Works!

Crave Naturals Detangling Brush

The best thing you can do for tangled hair is find a detangling brush that in its’ simplest form, was built to work through knots (even without needing a ‘detangler’). Ordinary bristle brushes work against the hair, taking the painful route to pull out knotted hair instead of gently separating it. Unique, cone-shaped bristles of various lengths work to separate the hair sideways instead of down… gently unraveling even the toughest of tangles. With soft, plastic bristles, a good detangling brush massages the scalp, increasing circulation and helping to lend a hand in healthy (and shiny!) hair growth. We recommend brushing your hair two to three times a day using a soft bristled brush - especially before hopping in the shower or getting ready for bed.

5. Follow-up Your Hot Shower with a Cold Water Rinse

Shower Rinse with Cold Water

A hot shower opens up your hair cuticles, leading to frizz and tangling while you wait for it to dry (air dry, yeah?). Over time, too much hot water can cause the hair to lose strength. If you rinse your hair with cold water before you’re ready to hop out, the cooler temperature will help to close up your hair cuticles and help you retain its natural moisture and strength.

If these sound like too simple of solutions to be effective, that’s because they probably are. However, changing up a routine is never an easy task. The key to preventing tangled hair without causing further damage is patience and a routine with the right product that will make detangling your hair an enjoyable, no-tears-shed experience.

Let us know if you try any of our tips and if they work for you! Now, get to detangling, mama.