Combing and Detangling (over and over)--Need some help

Zinnia · 02-11-2006, 07:06 PM

Today was detangle day. It was not a happy day.

I am wondering if other curlies have this problem.

My conditioner is great. The comb glides through well enough, but then when I try to comb through the same section of hair, it is tangled again!

Why is this? Sometimes I have to comb one section (these are small sections) 5 or more times. Even after I do this, when I try to brush through with a brush to finish, the snags are still there, yet, I had just combed them. I just don't understand.

Also, has any curly ever combed from root to end?

I have a difficult time doing this. I don't try to do this on the first pass, but i think after combing the same section of hair 5 times, I should be able to comb straight through. I also have a difficult time trying to part my hair.

Let's just say I have new respect for my mom when she had to wash and detangle me as a kid...

Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!

By the way, I use the following for combing/detangling:
Denman (misspelled??) brush...has 7 rows of teeth I think
Seamless comb...medium spaced teeth
Seamless comb...wide spaced teeth
Goody Brush for thick hair

bubbles76 · 02-12-2006, 06:46 PM

Maybe you need to detangle your hair more often? Like, 2-3 times a week instead of once. It also causes less shedding detangling more often, at least for me. Also, it helps me to detangle with the wide, Denman paddle brush. I haven't tried any other kind. And I do find myself detangling from root to tip, although it should be the other way around

I also make sure that my hair is damp to wet with leave in conditioner every time I let a brush or comb near my head. Anything else causes tangles.

HTH!

Portae · 02-12-2006, 09:46 PM

THis happens with certain sections of my hair. The problem is that when you smooth the tangles out with the comb, you're smoothing out the hair as well. As it begins to curls back up, the strands begin to curl around each other. If you want to keep it untangled, you should loosely twist each section after you detangle it or coil it into a little bun.

Amneris · 02-12-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portae

THis happens with certain sections of my hair. The problem is that when you smooth the tangles out with the comb, you're smoothing out the hair as well. As it begins to curls back up, the strands begin to curl around each other. If you want to keep it untangled, you should loosely twist each section after you detangle it or coil it into a little bun.

Yeah, I clip my hair up in little twisty buns after I do each section too. I also pik or brush 2x/day - detangling only once a week wasn't enough! And use TONS of conditioner!

eccentric_kurlz · 02-13-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portae

THis happens with certain sections of my hair. The problem is that when you smooth the tangles out with the comb, you're smoothing out the hair as well. As it begins to curls back up, the strands begin to curl around each other. If you want to keep it untangled, you should loosely twist each section after you detangle it or coil it into a little bun.

Yup. I do the same. If I didn't, it would seriously become a pain in the arse. Twisting and clipping each detangled section keeps my hair from getting tangled again.

Zinnia · 02-13-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portae

THis happens with certain sections of my hair. The problem is that when you smooth the tangles out with the comb, you're smoothing out the hair as well. As it begins to curls back up, the strands begin to curl around each other. If you want to keep it untangled, you should loosely twist each section after you detangle it or coil it into a little bun.

Thanks everyone for replying.

Portae, you hit it right on the spot! But i do lightly twist each section, perhaps i am twisting too tightly or something. Or maybe for reason i feel need to want to come all of my hair from root to bottom as i did when it was relaxed.

I just need to retrain myself. And maybe detangle twice a week (what a pain).

Thanks again!

klloydmajestic · 02-13-2006, 06:35 PM

Oh man, I have to detangle at LEAST every other day with the length and volume of my hair. It doesn't help that I'm not a still sleeper, I flop all over the place! I've ditched my brush and combs though. I just use my fingers with condish in the shower almost every day, and it seems to do the trick.

urbancurl · 02-13-2006, 07:57 PM

Detangling only once a week is a nightmare for me too. So much hair comes out at one time and it take so long. The hot water runs out on me!

love yourself first · 02-13-2006, 09:40 PM

I detangle every time that I wet my hair, which is just about every day. I can go as long as 3 days without detangling, but any longer than that is a bad, bad, bad idea. But I've never done that twisty, pin/knot thing others are describing or had a problem with re-tangling. Once I get the tangles out of my conditioner soaked hair with a paddle or vent brush, I am good to go.

Canocurls · 02-15-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portae

THis happens with certain sections of my hair. The problem is that when you smooth the tangles out with the comb, you're smoothing out the hair as well. As it begins to curls back up, the strands begin to curl around each other. If you want to keep it untangled, you should loosely twist each section after you detangle it or coil it into a little bun.

This is great advice. I loosely twist each section too.
What conditioner do you use? Maybe you need one with more slip?

JEM · 02-18-2006, 05:43 PM

I just had the worst detangling experience on thursday. I messed up my color and had been sick, so for the week before I was wearing my hair up and at night just taking it down. My hair was so tangled, it was a nightmare. Tons of hair shed and it took forever. I learned an important lesson, always sleep w/ a scarf on my head to prevent tangles and mats.

Usually detangling 1-2 times a week is fine for me

love yourself first · 02-19-2006, 12:13 AM

JEM-

Your hair pictures are sooo awesome!! I just love your second day hair, third day hair, first day hair.. Ok, I guess that I just LOVE YOUR HAIR period. WOW!

JEM · 02-19-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curltopia

JEM-

Your hair pictures are sooo awesome!! I just love your second day hair, third day hair, first day hair.. Ok, I guess that I just LOVE YOUR HAIR period. WOW!

Thanks. You are so sweet. It looks much better since I've gone modified CG, thanks to everyones help here!

ms.g · 02-19-2006, 01:12 PM

you may need to detangle more than once a week. also combing from the ends to the roots has greatly helped me detangle easier. ive lost much less hair this way.

Velvetmug22 · 03-02-2006, 09:49 AM

Portae wrote

Quote:

THis happens with certain sections of my hair. The problem is that when you smooth the tangles out with the comb, you're smoothing out the hair as well. As it begins to curls back up, the strands begin to curl around each other. If you want to keep it untangled, you should loosely twist each section after you detangle it or coil it into a little bun.
_________________

Portae is exactly right as far as my hair is concerned. I have to detangle everyday, or my hair is a knotted nightmare. I also cover my hair with a shower cap while I finish showering to keep my hair out of the way and give the conditioner time to do it's thing. Then I take the twists out and comb it again or rinse or whatever I plan to do. More often then not, I only detangle once then leave it alone for the day. I don't expect my hair to stay untangled because it's just not like that. For me, as long as I detangle at least once I feel I have done my part as far as my hair.

jada1111 · 03-05-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms.g

you may need to detangle more than once a week. also combing from the ends to the roots has greatly helped me detangle easier. ive lost much less hair this way.

Yes, this is the BEST way to detangle no matter what your method (i.e., brush, comb, etc.) with LOTS of conditioner. It also depends on what TYPE of conditioner you use. Some are better at detangling than others. Elucence, DevaCurl OneCondition, and Biolage Detangling Solution are VERY good IMO.

mafalda · 03-07-2006, 11:04 AM

I also have that problem with tangles. But I don't wash/wet/ re-wet hair everyday because my hair tends to be dry. It seems like most of you detangle with hair wet everyday as to avoid knots. I can't imagine going through the hassle of thoroughly wetting hair everyday. So for those who do not wash/wet hair everyday, how do you detangle it without breaking up the curl and leaving a poofy mess?

sdl · 03-08-2006, 10:57 PM

Bump.
Anyone?

mafalda · 03-09-2006, 11:14 AM

Double Bump-Bump

Zinnia · 03-09-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafalda

I also have that problem with tangles. But I don't wash/wet/ re-wet hair everyday because my hair tends to be dry. It seems like most of you detangle with hair wet everyday as to avoid knots. I can't imagine going through the hassle of thoroughly wetting hair everyday. So for those who do not wash/wet hair everyday, how do you detangle it without breaking up the curl and leaving a poofy mess?

Hi...i don't detangling everyday, but I do usually we everyday or every other day. I have to half wet just to get it flat enough to pull into a bun otherwise it is too thick and the bun hurts.

I usually detangle every weekend. During the week when I rewet, i finger comb a bit.

I have recently discovered a new conditioner...there is a thread by Shygirl on it...Bed Head Moisture Maniac. It works really well for me.

Hope that helps.