HELP! Detangling Problems

Velvetmug22 · 07-13-2005, 03:54 PM

Hi Everyone,
I have 3b/3c hair (mostly 3c) and I have huge detangling issues. I use conditioner everyday and I have been experimenting with many different conditioners and nothing seems to work. Currently I am using the Catwalk line. Everyday, I am tearing knots out of my hair. If I skip even one day of not detangling, I am in the shower for like 2 hours trying to get the knots out. The only time the knots come out smoothly is if I leave huge amounts of conditioner on my hair for like 3 hours or if I use Shea Butter but that is so hard to work with. I'm not sure the conditioner is the problem anymore because despiste it all, I have a very healthy head of hair. Technique maybe? Should I just be using my fingers to comb through my hair or a wide tooth comb? Any advice anyone could give would be so so so apprciated. Thanks!

Oh ps - Is it true the hair grows longer faster when worn down because of the oxygen factor? Thanks.

eccentric_kurlz · 07-13-2005, 04:24 PM

So you're not using a wide tooth comb? That may be the problem. Combs with smaller teeth do a horrible job of detangling(they're not meant to be used for detangling). It actually pulls out more hair, so if you haven't purchased a wide tooth or shower comb, I recommend that you do that asap. And with finger combing, some people can do that without any problems, but when I've tried it on a few occasions, I experienced individual strands with knots on them, so I just stick with using a comb.

Secondly, if your hair gets that easily tangled, maybe it's time for a trim. I've noticed that when I have alot of split ends, my hair tangles way more than normal. Just a simple trim can make a huge difference.

Also, you may want to try gently combing/detangling the hair when it's damp and before using shampoo or conditioner. I notice that my hair sheds more when my hair is soaked with conditioner. So what I normally do it wet my hair, and very gently comb from the ends up to the roots. Just enough to get most of the tangles out(of course using a wide tooth comb). I normally don't experience any hair shedding when I do this. Then when I condition, I don't have such a hard time, and less hair comes out.

HTH

Velvetmug22 · 07-13-2005, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the advice shyygirl! Yes, I do use a wide tooth comb. Or rather I have started lately trying to compare it to finger combing and your right about the knots on individual strands. So I will stick with the wide tooth comb. Let me make sure I understand you because I want to try your method. Your saying you wet your hair, apply conditioner, let it get damp, then work it through with a wide tooth comb? Or you wet your hair, comb the knots out, let it get damp, condition, then comb again with a wide tooth comb? And may I ask what conditioner you use on a daily basis? Thanks

eccentric_kurlz · 07-13-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Or you wet your hair, comb the knots out, let it get damp, condition, then comb again with a wide tooth comb.

You almost got it.

When in the shower, I run the water over my hair. Once damp, I gently comb my hair from the ends to the roots. For some reason, I experience less hair loss doing this first. After detangling a bit, I then continue with shampooing, and then I apply my conditioner. I section my hair into three or four parts and once I do add'l detangling, I twist my hair(in three/four individual twists) and clip up while I continue showering. After showering, I rinse the conditioner out (while the twists are still in) with lukewarm and then cool water. Keeping the hair in the twists helps in preventing tangles, and sectioning also helps in distributing my styling products better.

As for conditioner, I have a few that I rotate with. I'm currently using Trader Joe's Spa Nourish condish. This is excellent for detangling/moisture and only costs about $2.50. For a weekly treat, I use Nioxin Smoothing Prescriptives Scalp Therapy. This is pretty pricey, but has helped in minimizing hair loss(from combing). There are a few others, but this is what I've been using more frequently. Oh, and I only wash/condition 2 times a week. No re-wetting.

I hope this makes more sense.

Velvetmug22 · 07-13-2005, 07:52 PM

Ok - I got it

I loose alot of hair when combing too, but I just thought that was normal as it never seems to be any thinner. I am going to try your combing method, it sounds like it might work better for my hair. Thanks again for the help.