How to Naturally Loosen Tangled Knots in Hair

For pain-free combing, always hold your hair above the area you are combing.

You don’t look your best when your hair is knotted or tangled. If you’re an active individual or live in a windy climate, your hair might frequently get tangled. Long and curly hair is particularly susceptible to knots. Removing the tangles can be a painful process. If you pull or yank on the tangles, you can damage your hair.

Things You'll Need

• Hair clips or ties
• Wide-tooth comb
• Fine-tooth comb

Instructions

1. Section your hair into three or four smaller sections. Secure all but one of the sections with hair clips. This will allow you to focus on one area at a time.

2. Hold the free section of hair in your non-dominant hand. If you are right-handed, hold the free hair with your left hand. Grasping your hair in this manner will prevent you from pulling on your scalp as you work the tangles out of your hair.

3. Begin about 1 inch from the ends of your hair. Use the wide-tooth comb to comb toward the ends of your hair.

4. Move up another 1 inch, always combing down your hair to the tip. Continue moving up your hair in 1-inch increments until you reach the roots.

5. Switch combs and work through the free section with the fine-tooth comb, if desired.

6. Secure the tangle-free section of hair with a clip to keep it out of the way. Repeat the process with the remaining sections of hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid tangles whenever possible by braiding your hair and sleeping on satin pillowcases.

References

• “Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts”; Barbara Kuhn Timby; 2008
• “"Parents" Magazine’s It Worked for Me!: From Thumb Sucking to Schoolyard Fights…”; Ann Pleshette Murphy; 1997
• “Cosmetology”; Anthony Gonzalez; 2007
• “Curly Like Me: How to Grow Your Hair Healthy, Long, and Strong”; Teri LaFlesh; 2010