Tips, tools and methods for detangling
Detangling can be one of the most daunting tasks of the natural hair world. Though it is a complete pain in the you know what, it is a necessary task if you wish to maintain your hair properly. It can be a constant battle between getting out the tangles and removing shedded hair without snagging and over manipulating it. So, let me give you the low down of some methods and tools that may help you get through this grueling ordeal.
The Denman Brush
The Denman brush is one of my favorite detangling tools. When used properly, you can get smooth, defined and frizz free curls. The Denman was specifically created for the maintenance of curly hair. The fact that it has somewhat flexible teeth and it catches the shedded hair to prevent matting, makes it very popular amongst naturals. It can also be opened to remove columns of teeth and make the spacing wider for those whose hair can't tolerate all the teeth.
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The smooth back of the brush is what helps to smooth and polish the curls without frizzing. It's also perfect for distributing product evenly through your hair.
Your Fingers
Well, fingers aren't really a tool, but they do the trick when it comes to getting tangles out of your hair. Using your fingers as opposed to a comb or brush allows you to "feel" the tangles and carefully separate the hair and ease them out. Finger detangling is especially benefiting to naturals with fine hair that splits and breaks easily. This is hands down (no pun intended) the gentlest way to detangle your hair, but also the lengthiest. I don't recall ever using any other tool in my hair besides my hands the first year after my big chop.
The Tangle Teezer
I, personally, have not used the Tangle Teezer. Honestly, the look of it kind of worries me a little, but I did research it and found it can actually be quite helpful. In what I read, the
Tangle Teezer does what it's supposed to do very efficiently. The teeth are extremely flexible, causing tangles to literally melt away. Instead of just getting stuck in the tangles or ripping them out, the Teezer gently coaxes the tangles until they unwind. I also read that the scratching noise the tool makes can be a little freaky and may cause you to keep checking to see that you aren't ripping hair out of your head.
The one con that I read was the fact that the tool has no handle. Although it was designed to fit into the palm of your hand, it could become a nuisance once it gets wet and starts slipping and sliding all over the place.
Wide Toothed Comb
Another one of my faves, the wide toothed comb is probably the most preferred tool amongst naturals.
The reason is because it can detangle efficiently and remove shedded hair with minimal damage, with the wide spaced teeth that are large and seamless. I even keep one hanging in my shower.
Now that you have some tools and tips, let's take a look at a couple of detangling methods.
Dry Detangling
When I am getting ready to shampoo and condition my hair is the ONLY time that I dry detangle my hair. I do so my applying either conditioner, coconut oil or both to my hair. I let it sit about 15 minutes then GENTLY use a wide toothed comb or my fingers...preferably my fingers to separate my curls. I call it pre-detangling. By both separating and lubricating the hair before a shampoo, It makes for an easier wet detangling session. The hair has less tangles and you've added extra moisture to the hair to help protect it from the stripping shampoo can cause. Dry detangling is especially beneficial if you'd had your hair in a twist style.
Wet Detangling
This method should be the main way of detangling the hair. It's done when the hair is sopping wet and very well lubricated with conditioner. Doing this creates slippage and causes your tool to glide easily through your hair. I prefer using a wide toothed comb, but the Denman brush also works very well for this method.
You can get the best results when you do both dry and wet detangling. If you can get in a good dry detangling session before shampooing it will improve your results when you detangle with wet hair and conditioner.
A couple of DO's to take with you are:
DO take your time and be as thorough as possible. The last thing you want to do is think you've done a good job detangling only to find a nice wad of matted hair in your curls.
DO section your hair prior to detangling and use as many sections as you need. This will become more important as your hair grows. The longer your hair is, the easier it is to knot up. If you handle your hair in sections, it makes it easier to manage and to do a thorough job.
In conclusion, it doesn't matter how often you detangle, whether you do it wet or dry, or which tools you use. Just remember to do what is best for you and your hair.
LOVE YOUR HAIR!!
