It is already a thing to have detangled matted hair, but it is another thing to avoid matted hair. The matted hair is a bunch of intertwined hair that usually becomes hard sometimes. Generally, people with curly hair are prone to matted hair compared to those with normal hair. Also, people with wavy or coarse hair are prone to matted hair.
Those with matted hair find it hard, difficult, and painful to use a comb and detangle their hair and can even cause hair loss. However, since everything has a solution, this article is a perfect explanation of how to detangle matted hair painlessly, without chopping or losing much of your hair. Continue reading to find easy and fast ways to detangle your matted hair at home.
Table of Contents
What is matted hair and what causes it?
Consider matted hair an unwanted upgraded version of knotted and tangled hair. Mats occur when loose hair repeatedly twist around attached strands and the caused tangles is not swiftly removed. They usually look like clumps and tend to be tough, mostly making it impossible to remove with a brush or comb alone.
Matted hair usually occurs when a hair is not combed to remove shed hairs. Which causes the loose hair to knot multiple times around the attached hair creating a tangled yet leading to matting of if not removed. While some people are naturally prone to knotting which cause hair cuticle damage, leading to more friction from the lifted cuticles, others happen due to carelessness sometimes
Does it have to be cut out?
No, you can successfully detangle your matted hair without cutting the hair, all it takes is patience, hard work, and getting the right tools. So you can accomplish this and save your strands and nerves from being hurt. When. You are worried that you might have to cut your panic, then there is no need to panic, as said earlier, you can successfully detangle the matted hair, don’t just jump into cutting the hair out of your mane. While this can be a way of getting rid of the matter hair, it won’t leave your locks looking good,
Causes of Matted Hair
A lot of factors can lead to matted hair, these include physical, chemical, and behavioral factors.
- Neglecting hair care or lack of proper hygiene
- When your hair is infested with pediculosis capitis popularly known as head lice
- When you treat the hair with a harsh shampoo or other chemicals that cause irritant contact dermatitis
- Impetigo which is popularly known as a secondary infection
- Rubbing the hair intensely with a liquid medium like the process of felting wool
- Poor mental health or severe illness
Clinical features of matted hair
Matted hair usually presents a stiff visible and impenetrable mass of hair and in many cases, it has a foul smell. This mass is usually made of extremely entangled hair, ooze, crust, pus, blood, and dirt. This mass of hair sometimes can occupy 70% of the scalp including the crown, temples, occiputs, usually mimicking a bird’s nest. The mass is fixed over the scalp with hairs being cemented together with curated pus, blood, and dirt.
Diffuse non-scarring alopecia popularly known as hair loss may affect the remaining scalp portion, in many cases with the presence of hits and lice, causing painful swelling of the occipital lymph nodes.
Ways to Detangle Matted Hair painlessly
The first step of detangling a matted of hair is patience, hold your comb and scissors, put in mind that there are ways to set your hair free and you are looking forward to achieving that. A quick online search will give you many results that might work and be harmful sometimes, but with articles like this, you will detangle your hair painlessly, so stick to the following methods and enjoy a peaceful life.
Step 1: Saturate
The most important thing to note when detangling your hair is to make sure the hair is dry to avoid any unnecessary damage. Instead of wetting your hair, saturate it with a detangling moisturizing conditioner before you attempt to run your fingers or comb through the hair. Make sure you apply enough product to the matted areas to make individual hairs easy to pass against each other
Step 2: Loosen
Choose a wide-tooth comb and start loosening the hair strands. Start with the ends, then work your way to the hair root and gently detangle the knots as you continue moving. When you notice some hairs falling don’t panic, that is normal, it means you are shedding the hair that contributed to the matting in the first place. If you find it painful, then hold the hair near the root to avoid a tight pulling sensation. Remember to be patient and take your time, when you can easily move your fingers through the hair, then give yourself a thumbs up because you have successfully detangled your matter hair.
Step 3: Rinse
The last step of detangling a matted hair is to rinse the hair with a Luke warm water to keep your strands soft, smooth, and separated and will wash out any remaining products from the hair.
How to prevent matted hair from occurring in the future
It is easy to avoid matted hair from occurring in the future, now take a look at your current hair, aren’t you liking it like that, just follow the following steps and make changes if needed.
Comb your hair regularly
You can decide to comb your hair regularly or on daily basis, but always make sure to comb the hair after washing. And use a tool specifically designed for detangling hair like a wide toothbrush or a wet brush.
Make sure you use a tool designed to untangle the hair, like a wide-tooth comb or a Wet Brush. You can also start with your fingers to make it less painful before moving to the detangling tool. Also, start from the hair root gently before moving up
Use detangling products
When you are washing your hair, use a detangler, conditioner, or even both. This will help to smooth the surface of each hair and reduce the chance of friction moreover the change of any matting. Shop for detangling products online. Consider these options:
- Shea Moisture’s Extra Moisture Detangler for thicker hair. Sea kelp and argan oil make for an effective way to remove tangles and knots.
- Maui Moisture’s Hibiscus Water Detangler is suited to finer hair that needs a lighter touch.
Conditioners do a similar thing. They minimize frizz and friction and boost smoothness. You’ll want to look for one with hydrating ingredients. Shop for conditioners online. When shopping for detangling conditioners online consider these options:
- Revlon’s Equave Detangling Conditioner which is enriched with a nourishing protein called keratin, Moroccanoil’s Hydrating Conditioner, features moisturizing argan oil and vitamins, and don’t forget to leave each product on for a few minutes to get its maximum benefits.
Finally, you might like to use a wet brush which you have guessed is designed to be used on wet hairs. When shopping for wet brushes online. Consider these options:
- Paul Mitchell’s Pro Tools Detangler Comb and the original Wet Brush are both highly rated by customers.
Protect your hair at night
Protecting your hair at night is an easy way to prevent unwanted mats from occurring, you can use a silk scarf, silk pillowcase, pineapple method; by putting your hair in a high or loose ponytail. This will ensure your hair retains plenty of moisture and stop the strands from twisting against each other.
Steer clear of drying treatments
When you are using bleach or other chemicals to treat your hair, use it carefully because these kinds of things tend to damage and dry hair. However, the more processed your hair is the weaker the hair shaft is likely to become which might result in knots and breakage.
Look after hair extensions
Looking after your hair extension is important also because they tend to wind up and entwine with your actual hair, so they avoid this from happening, consider keeping your extensions in tip-top condition. And don’t go to sleep with your hair wet, make sure to always secure them in a braid at night, and also make sure to maintain them well. Although some extensions can last up to 6 months to one year, you might need to visit a professional at least every 6-8 weeks for the upkeep of the hair.
Final thought
Having matted hair is not the end of the world, although you might feel it like that with the annoying feelings, with a little patience, care, and shopping for the right detangling product, you will get rid of severe tangles without going far from your comfort. Remember you have to be patient, gentle to look after the hair. If all these do not work, seek help from professional ls for knot removal advice. Put in mind, you have to maintain your beauty wherever you are and in whichever situation you find yourself in.