We are not all alike. Simple. Understandable. True.
We ARE however similar in our hair’s needs and problems. One similar trait we naturals face are tangles and finding productive ways to work through them. I say work through them and not fight them or destroy them because it gives a negative outlook on this phenomenon our hair tends to live in if we neglect it or we wear certain styles. It’s our hair’s natural tendency to tangle. Curly, coily, wavy hair will tangle and unless you want to be yanking out hairs fighting through it, you will need to take a more positive attitude towards it.
There are a few ways to work through your hair’s tangles from tools to techniques and while everyone has their favorite tool of the trade some are still scratching their heads not sure which direction to take. It’s confusing, to say the least, because just about any path you choose for removing tangles may end in in over-manipulation or the opposite and matting of the hair. Your methods must be effective and non-damaging. In other words, find a happy medium.
Finger-combing or finger-detangling is the cheapest way possible to work on your tangles. First off, you never have to find your tool, they are free and they can feel the hair and tangles so you can stop prior to yanking out a knots. Great, huh? Well–yes and no. They have some drawbacks despite how many naturals praise them. Hey, I love them and only detangle with my fingers but I know it’s not for everybody and they can sometimes be ineffective.
1. If not done well, it can cause dreading
No one needs that in their life unless they are trying to grow dreads. If you are prone to your hair knotting up quickly then this might not be the method for you. You want to be effective but gentle. Not doing it correctly is as ineffectual as petting your hair for a detangling method. It won’t get the job done so it must be done right. Learning how to effectively finger-comb or finger-detangle takes time to master and the problems that can occur if not done properly can cause matting, dreading, or severe knots if left unattended.
2. It’s time-consuming
It is extremely time-consuming! You have to feel every section to find the shed hairs and remove them and find the knots and remove them too. If you have long hair or extremely thick hair this will take time. I think Kimmaytube says it takes her about two hours to detangle her hair and if you don’t have that kind of time you may want to ditch this method.
3. It’s more detangling and less actual combing
If your end result is to comb your hair then this isn’t the method for you. You may like the look or curl definition your wide tooth comb may give you and fingers will not give the same look as a comb will. Many of us don’t want to disturb the curl but if that’s your desire then you may need to just get the comb.
4. Not the most effective way to remove shed hairs
Besides be the slowest way to detangle it’s also the least effective way to remove shed hairs. A comb or even a brush has those on lock as getting shed hairs and removing them with minimal ease and even if you feel you detangled like a boss with your fingers I guarantee you, there are still some hidden in there just waiting to tangle or dread.
5. Neglect causes madness
If your game plan is to detangle then it must be done regularly and only you can determine how often that must be according to your hair’s needs. If you hair will mat up in a matter of days or even hours (like a friend of mine”> then neglecting detangling and then doing it with your fingers will be long and tedious and if you are impatient you will be yanking out hair instead of properly remove the tangles.
Watch the videos
Kinky Natural Hair Wash Routine| Detangle and Moisturize
3 Ways To Safely Finger Detangle + Remove Knots on Curly Natural Hair – Naptural85
