How to Get Tangles Out of a Preschooler's Hair

Damp hair is easier to detangle than dry hair.

If your preschooler is prone to getting tangled hair, you know that getting these tangles out usually is a task that both you and your child hate. Although children with longer hair are more prone to getting tangles, many kids get tangles simply from the numerous bodily movements that a preschool child performs daily. Although combing out tangled hair may take a little longer than a regular grooming session, it doesn't have to be painful. There are simple ways that you can ease the process for both you and your little one.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Detangler spray
• Wide tooth comb
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Shampoo and condition your child's hair. You can't always do this before removing tangles, but when you can do this, it will help. Some tangles will come out during the process. Others will be significantly loosened by the conditioner.

2. Spray your child's hair with a conditioning detangling spray.

3. Comb through her hair with a wide tooth comb. Do so slowly, working in small sections, moving from the scalp to the ends of the hair. When you come to a tangle, use one hand to press the section of hair toward the scalp. Do this between the tangle and your child's head as you use short downward motions with the comb to remove the tangle. This will not only remove the tangle, but it will minimize pulling on the child's scalp as well.

4. Provide a distraction for your preschooler as you work on tangles, if necessary. Watching television or looking at a book may keep your child calmer and less focused on what you are doing. This also helps to reduce wiggling, which makes combing tangles more difficult.

5. Spray conditioning detangling spray on the tangle itself if you are dealing with dry hair. Work out the tangle using the same procedure that you used in step three.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have detangling spray, fill a clean spray or spritz bottle with water and spritz the tangled area with the water. Follow this by combing the tangle out gently.

References

• Johnson's Baby: Toddler Hair Care Tips
• Berkeley Parents Network: Caring for Kids' Hair