First things first: you cannot treat your kinky/coily/curly hair the way you did when it was relaxed! (DUHHH, right?!) Yes, your comb used to glide through that straight hair with ease. But who says the same can’t be the case with your natural tresses?? Here’s what might help ya!
Product
You will find detangling to be a breeze if you do so while your hair is wet and saturated with your conditioner of choice. Low on cash? Grab that Olive Oil out of the pantry! Natural oils are great alternatives and provide so many benefits! Me? I coat my hair with GOBS of SheaMoisture’s Deep Treatment Masque along with either Extra Virgin Olive Oil (aka EVOO) or Vegetable Glycerin.
Tools
For the best results, a wide-toothed comb is recommended. I have yet to try this one but many naturals swear by the ever popular Denman Brush (above). My detangling tool of choice, though, is the Tangle Teezer! After getting out stubborn knots with my fingers, I go over each section with myTangle Teezer to gently remove the excess shed hair I didn’t get with my hands.
Technique
No more sticking your comb or brush into your head at the roots and combing downward. Our curls and kinks can become quite friendly with one another! So, the best plan of attack is to start at the ends, slowly and gently working your way up the strands. I’ve found finger-detangling before going in with a tool to be the most effective way to remove annoying knots and tangles during this process.
Some things to remember…
-Please, take your time and be gentle! That *popping* sound is NOT a good thing! LOL Rushing through it will only hurt you (in some cases, literally! OUCH!).
-Instead of trying to tackle your entire head of hair, work in smaller sections.
-Having a spray bottle handy is a good idea. Rewet as the hair starts to dry out.
-Shed hair happens! Especially while detangling after taking down a long-term protective style will you see them. We shed up to about 100 strands per day (on average) so don’t be alarmed.
How do you detangle YOUR hair? Any additional tips you wanna add? Feel free!
‘Til next time beautifuls!
Xoxo
~Toia
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