Reasons for hair matting? (pics included)

[bb09]

I can't take this hair.

Not only does it look a mess when i airdry -http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...erfect-hair-washday-days-go.html#post12096803, it mattes now as well. I'm 2 years -actually 3! into my hair journey, and i'm actually fed up. I can't exactly hand my hair over to someone else because I don't want it to get worse.

I'm texlaxed 4a/b. I transitioned 17 months, then re-relaxed. I've been having serious problems with my hair -the tangles, and split ends. Regime:
I wash -I used castile soap the last time with lots of water -diluted, then DC. Deep conditioning actually makes my hair more tangled though. So now, i use a protein conditioner -just under 10 minutes, then a moisture conditioner -for just under 10 minutes -I got the idea from LaidBak (?) for controlling breakage.

The last time i did my hair, i left conditioner in, then let it airdry. That's when i made yesterday's post.. it looked awful while it dried. Then nice again this morning (I scarf airdried).. till i discovered the matting inside.

It's the roots that tangle as well as the length. When my hair is wet, i literally can't comb through, or moisturise it if it's soaking, or i'll get crazy breakage.
What should I do?

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Do you wash in braids?

 

[aquajoyice]

I remember my hair used to tangle when the shampoo I used was drying out my hair. I'm my experience matting was caused by lack of moisture. I detangle using distilled water and veg glycerin spritz on each section gently pull it through my hair releasing shed strands. Then I apply a little unrefined shea butter throughout and detangle with a wide tooth comb. This is the only time I detangle, then I might to a deep condition then wash but I always keep it sectioned. The helps me maintained tangle-free hair and when I wash my hair feels softer after its been conditioned.

 

[faithVA]

Did you detangle and remove shed hairs before you shampooed? Just asking since it didn't seem like you detangled after you shampooed. If you haven't removed the shed hairs they will clump around all of your hair and matt your hair together. Did that once and never again.

I either prepoo before washing with some type of oil and detangle or I detangle with a mixture of conditioner and water. I both finger detangle and detangle with a big tooth comb. This has helped immensely.

Also when I apply my DC, I either add oil to the DC or apply on top of my hair to the DC and my hair strands detangle much easier.

 

[SimplyBlessed]

Do you wash in braids?

This helps tremendously!!!

basically seperate any tangles with ur hands/fingers (adding oil helps) before washing -and seperate into sections

braid the sections of the hair (but leave it loose) and wash!!

 

[Honi]

Sounds like a porosity issue and shed hairs all wrapped up in it.

I use Dr. Bronners Castle Soap sometimes and I always follow-up with a white vinegar rinse (I prefer white as opposed to ACV). That way it gets all the residue from the soap off of your hair and corrects any porosity issues. When I rinse under the shower stream while combing I have no tangling issues. I find that if I skip this step my conditioners won't perform as well. This works well for me. Hopefully the other ladies will chime in with other tips and ideas.

 

[bb09]

Do you wash in braids?

LaFemmeNaturelle, I have done, but it didn't make a difference. My hair's fine when it's wet, but as soon as the final rinse, it's back to tangles within minutes

 

[bb09]

I remember my hair used to tangle when the shampoo I used was drying out my hair. I'm my experience matting was caused by lack of moisture. I detangle using distilled water and veg glycerin spritz on each section gently pull it through my hair releasing shed strands. Then I apply a little unrefined shea butter throughout and detangle with a wide tooth comb. This is the only time I detangle, then I might to a deep condition then wash but I always keep it sectioned. The helps me maintained tangle-free hair and when I wash my hair feels softer after its been conditioned.

aquajoyice -Thank you. I don't know why, but dc's make my hair tangle more. As soon as i rinse it out, my hair's back to normal -the effects do not stay, irregardless of the conditioner /dc used.

 

[bb09]

Did you detangle and remove shed hairs before you shampooed? Just asking since it didn't seem like you detangled after you shampooed. If you haven't removed the shed hairs they will clump around all of your hair and matt your hair together. Did that once and never again.

I either prepoo before washing with some type of oil and detangle or I detangle with a mixture of conditioner and water. I both finger detangle and detangle with a big tooth comb. This has helped immensely.

Also when I apply my DC, I either add oil to the DC or apply on top of my hair to the DC and my hair strands detangle much easier.

faithVA -i always do (detangle). I fingercomb all the time. The first video/pic was actually of how I couldn't get through my hair. It loves to stick together .

I've added oil to dc's before, and for some reason, it didn't make a difference. The only dc i could Ever detangle with was ao gpb mixed with another one, but i don't need protein overload. I wasn't sure if that was doing more harm than good.

I used to oil prepoo, but for some reason, sooo many hairs come out -almost as if the oil alone just pulls the hair out.

 

[bb09]

This helps tremendously!!!

basically seperate any tangles with ur hands/fingers (adding oil helps) before washing -and seperate into sections

braid the sections of the hair (but leave it loose) and wash!!

Thank you. SimplyBlessed. Lovely hair in your siggy btw! But it's as soon as i take the plaits out, or as soon as i rinse the dc out, that my hair goes back to normal -as if i didn't do anything to it moisture wise at all

 

[bb09]

Sounds like a porosity issue and shed hairs all wrapped up in it.

I use Dr. Bronners Castle Soap sometimes and I always follow-up with a white vinegar rinse (I prefer white as opposed to ACV). That way it gets all the residue from the soap off of your hair and corrects any porosity issues. When I rinse under the shower stream while combing I have no tangling issues. I find that if I skip this step my conditioners won't perform as well. This works well for me. Hopefully the other ladies will chime in with other tips and ideas.

Thanks for this. I forgot to do an acv rinse after using the soaps -even though i diluted it. I did acv rinse regularly for a few months or almost a year, and didn't really notice a difference tangle-wise though. How do you do yours?

 

[beana]

I have 4a/b hair thats prone to matting as well. I think a few things contribute to matting: hair density, porosity and texture. very diluted ACv rinses (after shampooing and before conditioning) and Nutress leave in have helped my hair stay mat and tangle free.

 

[curlyninjagirl]

Two things you're using jumped out to me immediately: Castile soap and protein.

For my hair, castile soap was very stripping, which is why I can't use a lot of natural shampoos on the market. Also, when I had a mild case of protein overload, matting and rough hair when wet were two of the main symptoms. HTH. Good luck.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

Sounds like a good clarify is needed followed by porosity control and I would also look into changing products. What conditioners are u using?

 

[LaidBak]

Yes, using a protein followed by a moisture condish did help me stop breakage. But I never left the conditioners in my hair. Keep using both; rinse the conditioners out, and follow with a 30 second application of Roux Porosity control. Repeated use of this should stop the matting. Follow the directions on all the products for a while, no improvising or doing extra stuff. Get your hair under control before you freestyle.

ETA: Now that I think about it, my hair usually mats only when I have over used protein. Try just moisture for a while, 2 or 3 washes. Also try switching from Castille soap to a moisturizing shampoo (Aphogee Deep moisture is a good one, so is Motions Lavish conditioning shampoo). When you get control of your hair then go back to protein/moisture.

 

[divachyk]

Didn't read all the posts but here is my 2cents --
My hair was tangling and matting but it was my technique that caused it. I was trying to poo in braids because everyone suggested it was a great way to keep tangles away. It took many frustrating poo sessions and unnecessary hair loss and some helpful suggestions from Supergirl and Myjourney2009 to finally figure out that pooing in braids is not for me. I also figured out that not keeping hair detangled throughout the week was not good for my hair. Again, I was trying to follow everyone else's regi. I find that keeping the hair detangled by running the comb through my hair every few days has improved my poo process because my hair isn't as full of tangles by the time poo day comes around. I now poo my hair just as Supergirl describes and it works like a charm...much fewer tangles. I also recognized detangling on sopping wet hair doesn't work for me either. I allow hair to air dry to about 95%, apply leave-ins then detangle. Here's the thread I started and where the suggestions are given -- http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...01831-ending-my-stretch-rant-suggestions.html

 

[Charz]

Maybe you should airdry with your hair banded? That cuts down on matting for me.

 

[chejam]

You may want to try the Quidad double detangler comb, once I started using this comb, right after I cowash, comb thorough, then went under the dryer with conditioner still in after 30 min., no tangles.

 

[Honi]

Thanks for this. I forgot to do an acv rinse after using the soaps -even though i diluted it. I did acv rinse regularly for a few months or almost a year, and didn't really notice a difference tangle-wise though. How do you do yours?

The soaps are concentrated so it was ok to dilute it but because it leaves its own residue/film (like shampoo bars for example) it's best to remove it with the rinse. If you don't your conditioner will feel good going on but after you rinse out the conditioner your hair will feel as if you used nothing at all hence the matting and tangling.

I use distilled white vinegar 1/4 cup with 3/4 cups of water and pour it over my hair. I feel an immediate difference afterwards. Let it sit for a minute then rinse under the shower stream while combing. The loose hairs slip right out. Follow with a moist. condish and a hot steamy towel wrapped around my head (I use one of those turban thingys). When I rinse it's soft and tangle free.

HTH

 

[LaidBak]

bb09 I was surfing the web for conditioners/shampoos and I came across this info:

One of the reasons that people complain about the way their hair feels when they use castile soap as a shampoo is the pH is too high for proper hair care. The alkaline solution of castile soap makes the cuticle cells swell up and get rougher.​

Another reason to switch to a good moisturizing poo.

 

[bb09]

Two things you're using jumped out to me immediately: Castile soap and protein.

For my hair, castile soap was very stripping, which is why I can't use a lot of natural shampoos on the market. Also, when I had a mild case of protein overload, matting and rough hair when wet were two of the main symptoms. HTH. Good luck.

curlyninjagirl –the protein! I never even thought about that. I know my hair Hates heavy protein, but I was using Aubrey organics gpb, and for the last few dc’s, I used l’oreal elvive antibreakage conditioner –for the ceramides. I can’t apply moisture to my hair without it breaking, but if it's contributing to the matting!!

 

[bb09]

Sounds like a good clarify is needed followed by porosity control and I would also look into changing products. What conditioners are u using?

Porosity control actually makes my hair worse for some reason.. it leaves my hair tangled.

I used l'oreal elvive antibreakage conditioner -I actually used it directly over the castile soap -Kimmaytube buffering technique, rinsed; then used it again, followed by Nature's gate pomegranate sunflower conditioner.

I clarified about 2 weeks ago with Avalon Organic's lemon clarifying shampoo. As soon as i rinse my hair out though, the effects of Any dc i use goes.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

It must be a combination of the products you're using, something is keeping your cuticles from closing.

 

[bb09]

Yes, using a protein followed by a moisture condish did help me stop breakage. But I never left the conditioners in my hair. Keep using both; rinse the conditioners out, and follow with a 30 second application of Roux Porosity control. Repeated use of this should stop the matting. Follow the directions on all the products for a while, no improvising or doing extra stuff. Get your hair under control before you freestyle.

ETA: Now that I think about it, my hair usually mats only when I have over used protein. Try just moisture for a while, 2 or 3 washes. Also try switching from Castille soap to a moisturizing shampoo (Aphogee Deep moisture is a good one, so is Motions Lavish conditioning shampoo). When you get control of your hair then go back to protein/moisture.

LaidBak –thank you. I find it hard to part through my hair though. Once I do a final rinse, and towel blot, it’s almost impossible to manipulate my hair –even just finger parting, then moisturising, without it sticking together like Velcro, and breaking while I try.

I def won’t use the castile soap again, but once I rinse moisturising shampoos out in general, my hair kinda feels like it has a film on it. Only when I put conditioner on directly after, that stops. I have 2 or 3 other shampoos I like though, so I’ll use them. If those were paraben free, I would have bought them.!

 

[bb09]

I have 4a/b hair thats prone to matting as well. I think a few things contribute to matting: hair density, porosity and texture. very diluted ACv rinses (after shampooing and before conditioning) and Nutress leave in have helped my hair stay mat and tangle free.

Very true. Is your dense as well? Do you leave your acv mix in your hair while dc'ing?

 

[bb09]

Didn't read all the posts but here is my 2cents --
My hair was tangling and matting but it was my technique that caused it. I was trying to poo in braids because everyone suggested it was a great way to keep tangles away. It took many frustrating poo sessions and unnecessary hair loss and some helpful suggestions from Supergirl and Myjourney2009 to finally figure out that pooing in braids is not for me. I also figured out that not keeping hair detangled throughout the week was not good for my hair. Again, I was trying to follow everyone else's regi. I find that keeping the hair detangled by running the comb through my hair every few days has improved my poo process because my hair isn't as full of tangles by the time poo day comes around. I now poo my hair just as Supergirl describes and it works like a charm...much fewer tangles. I also recognized detangling on sopping wet hair doesn't work for me either. I allow hair to air dry to about 95%, apply leave-ins then detangle. Here's the thread I started and where the suggestions are given -- http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...01831-ending-my-stretch-rant-suggestions.html

divachyk, That thread was VERY helpful! I'm not at the stage where i could run a comb through my hair yet. I just finger detangled, and the knots at the demarcation line were rediculous!

I think i'm gonna start airdrying my hair before applying leave-ins as well. Do you leave your hair hanging, or in a ponytail while drying? How long does it take for you to get to 95% dry?

 

[bb09]

Maybe you should airdry with your hair banded? That cuts down on matting for me.

Charz -Is your hair moisturised before you do that? It sounds complicated. How many sections do you do?

 

[bb09]

You may want to try the Quidad double detangler comb, once I started using this comb, right after I cowash, comb thorough, then went under the dryer with conditioner still in after 30 min., no tangles.

I don't think it's available in the UK. Thanks for the suggestion though !chejam

 

[bb09]

The soaps are concentrated so it was ok to dilute it but because it leaves its own residue/film (like shampoo bars for example) it's best to remove it with the rinse. If you don't your conditioner will feel good going on but after you rinse out the conditioner your hair will feel as if you used nothing at all hence the matting and tangling.

I use distilled white vinegar 1/4 cup with 3/4 cups of water and pour it over my hair. I feel an immediate difference afterwards. Let it sit for a minute then rinse under the shower stream while combing. The loose hairs slip right out. Follow with a moist. condish and a hot steamy towel wrapped around my head (I use one of those turban thingys). When I rinse it's soft and tangle free.

HTH

Honi, thanks beautiful. I'll have to try that. Do you ever acv rinse after just shampooing though? And i'm always worried the towel is robbing the moisture lol. I can't believe i forgot to add a shower cap on top as well -just thinking about it.

 

[bb09]

bb09 I was surfing the web for conditioners/shampoos and I came across this info:

One of the reasons that people complain about the way their hair feels when they use castile soap as a shampoo is the pH is too high for proper hair care. The alkaline solution of castile soap makes the cuticle cells swell up and get rougher.​

Another reason to switch to a good moisturizing poo.

LaidBak –thank you. I definitely don’t need rougher cuticles!