What makes certain types of hair easier to detangle than others??

Napp · Feb 16, 2015

I never had marathon detangling sessions like I see so many people have online. some people talk about 1-2 hour detangling sessions and I'm like :shocked:

My APL hair takes maybe 5-10 minutes to detangle after a good DC w/heat and i finger detangle only. I use Novex deep conditioners. I have fine, medium density and normal porosity hair. The shed hair slides right out during the main detangling in the shower and the rest comes out when styling.

I was wondering if we could compare our hair attributes, products and techniques to see what makes the difference?

krissyhair · Feb 16, 2015

I have narrow strands and normal density. After a quick spray or a cowash, it only takes a few minutes to detangle.

Maybe people have long marathon sessions because they wear longer term protective styles like 30+ two strand twists, or only detangle once a week, or don't trim often so they have to be hyper careful with their ends.

Contrary to popular belief, I think an extremely fined strand, thicker density head of hair would take the longest to detangle rather than thick strands.

Prettymetty · Feb 16, 2015

My hair is only difficult to detangle when I overload it with protein. I have medium 4b strands with low porosity and lowish density.

Anaisin · Feb 16, 2015

That's what I was thinking. First going natural that's what all the natural hair videos complained about, and I'm thinking like my hair is kinkier than hers so it's probably gonna take me 2 hours lmao. Nope. I honestly don't even think it takes 10 minutes to detangle ( I use conditioner and fingers on wet hair). Maybe because I have medium density it doesn't take that long. Also it's fine and low porosity

faithVA · Feb 16, 2015

I've often wondered why different hair can be hard to detangle. My hair is easy to detangle as long as I stay away from the shampoo. However, my hair has never been long so it's too early to tell. I know others have said they had issues once reaching certain lengths.

Joigirl · Feb 16, 2015

My hair is easy to detangle even though it is MBL. My strands are medium and I have high density hair. My shed hairs slide out easily and tangles are pretty easy to unravel.

My daughter's hair is another matter. She is BSL, has very high density and very fine strands. Her hair snaps if it is handled too rough. She also has coily 4a/4b coils that wrap around each other at the root. Detangling her hair was a literal nightmare as it grew longer. I finally asked for help and was told to keep her hair stretched at all times. I wash her hair in sections, condition and style in sections with her hair braided. It still takes 3 times longer than mine, but a lot less tangles.

PJaye · Feb 16, 2015

My hair is fine, fragile and has a penchant towards tangling amongst itself (I can literally see it re-tangling right before my eyes WHILE DETANGLING). For me, finger detangling and detangling in sections are sure recipes for disaster. My shed hairs do not like to leave; they must be purposefully evicted. As a result, my hair must be parted in the center and weighted with a heavy coating of certain slippery substances in order for me to successfully detangle with the least amount of collateral damage. Using this method, a typical detangling session lasts no longer than 20 minutes - I go slowly and methodically, with lots and lots of smoothing.

girlonfire · Feb 16, 2015

My hair is past waist length, normal density, medium/coarse strands. I learned a while ago that if I avoid detangling, it's just going to get worse, especially if I don't stretch. I have recently started to detangngle every 3-4 days. Each detangling session is about 30-45 minutes, if I've been a good girl. My hair is mainly 3c but my edges and nape are 4a. That's not THE ENTIRE PROCESS of doing my hair but, that's detangling essentially.

Products:
Joico deep conditioners (moisture/kpak)
aphogee texture treatment.

I deep condition my hair with heat before I cowash. I detangle while I'm applying the deep conditioner and while I'm cowashing. I keep my hair in 4 twists for the first rinse then loosen and rinse again. I've found that bunning my wet hair causes tangles so I just have my hair hanging while I style it, which is a wash and go these days, unfortunately.

Nightingale · Feb 17, 2015

It takes me mere minutes to detangle my transitioning hair in the shower. My hair strands are pretty thick and I think using oil regularly (prepoo, sealant) leaves them very lubricated so detangling is easy.

Nazaneen · Feb 17, 2015

I really dont know. I know when i was a little girl my hair tangled SOOOOO BADLY but as an adult it barely tangles anymore.

FlowerHair · Feb 17, 2015

My strands are really thick, I think that makes it easier to detangle. They are almost like thread.

My best friend has very, very thin strands and she can't even take a 30 min nap without her hair being a big mess in the back.

My hair stays put and doesn't tangle during the day.

pattyr5 · Feb 17, 2015

My hair is extremely fine and high density. If I go too long with only finger detangling my hair becomes matted at various places. For me, SSK's easily catch the shed hairs and prevent them from sliding out easily. To avoid hour long detangling sessions I have to part my hair into at least 8 sections and use a conditioner and water combined until it's frothy, then and only then,do the shed hairs play nice.

IMFOCSD · Feb 17, 2015

My hair is 4a,b and maybe c and it's definitely not hard to detangle.. the conditioner I use (garnier fructis) makes my hair super manageable... but then again I'm sporting a twa so maybe the short length plays a role.

ForestRose · Feb 17, 2015

Definitely hair type makes a difference for me personally. After 2 henna session plus a bit of straightening plus hair length, I went from a 4c/4d all over to a 4b on 80% of my hair. Coils have made a big difference in how I detangle and how many tangles I get overall. It tend to detangle whilst styling to minimise shrinkage and tangling so it doesn't take too long for me. Working quick works best for me.

I could never spend an hour though. Im way too busy. Maybe that's why I don't retain length very well lol

keranikki · Feb 17, 2015

I have fine to very fine, low-medium density, high porosity hair, shoulder length, 3C/4A hair. Protein allows me to keep my detangle sessions short. It usually takes me 15-20 minutes to detangle and braid my hair into 7-8 plaits. As long as I keep my hair stretched, I don't have to detangle so often.

Evolving78 · Feb 17, 2015

FlowerHair said:
My strands are really thick, I think that makes it easier to detangle. They are almost like thread. My best friend has very, very thin strands and she can't even take a 30 min nap without her hair being a big mess in the back. My hair stays put and doesn't tangle during the day.

I have a lot of strands and the coil, but they aren't thick. I realized what I see on YouTube just isn't my reality.

KinksAndInk · Feb 17, 2015

I have MBL fine, medium/normal density 3C hair and once my hair is thoroughly saturated with water I detangle from root to tip (I loose less hair this way) using my fingers (for large tangles) and a shampoo brush. This takes 10 minutes at the most. I usually detangle once a week, sometimes 10-12 days if I'm being lazy. No matter what, it never takes me more than 10 mins unless I'm putting in twists as I detangle, which is what I've been doing on this water only regimen. And that still takes no more than 15-20 mins depending in how many twists I do.

Nazaneen · Feb 17, 2015

FlowerHair said:
My strands are really thick, I think that makes it easier to detangle. They are almost like thread.

My best friend has very, very thin strands and she can't even take a 30 min nap without her hair being a big mess in the back.

My hair stays put and doesn't tangle during the day.

I wish my strands were thicker, I think thicker strands tend to have less frizz and the hair will be heavier too. My hair is like a feather lol. No wonder your hair seems so obedient compared to mine even though our curl pattern is similar.

My strands are definitely not thick but still I don't suffer from tangles.
I sure did as a kid though... I think my strands are normal density, maybe normal but on the fine side.

discodumpling · Feb 17, 2015

My hair type is fairy fine, low-porosity, low density, and presently neck length. The dryer my hair the more she tangles. ALL phases of my regi involve products that impart SLIP so that even when my hair tangles it's easy to DEtangle.

It's been as long as APL during this HHJ and i've never had a marathon detangling session.

irisak · Feb 17, 2015

I think strand size has a lot to do with detangling time. My daughter is a 3b with wispy, fine strands and her hair is a beast to detangle! It retangles while you're combing, and curls around my fingers when I braid it. Slippy conditioner, not washing loose, and finger detangling in small sections before using a comb are the only things that work.

Fighting auto correct everyday

Britt · Feb 17, 2015

Idk... for me it's products. I find my hair very easy to detangle both relaxed and natural. It's the products that I use that make my hair easy to detangle when wet. If I try new products that do not agree with my hair then my hair will feel different and be hard to detangle.

For ex, I could go to a stylist and they use new products on me and I can tell right a way if it works for my hair, bc I can feel the extra pulling and difficulty with detangling and then when I touch my hair it feels matted and tangled... Bad product combos do this to my hair.

Lucie · Feb 17, 2015

I have no idea. My hair is easy to detangle relaxed/natural. I have very bushy hair but for some reason it doesn't get tangled.

ManeStreet · Feb 17, 2015

I have fine strands & my hair is very dense. It's all hip length. At apl detangling wasn't as bad but now it's annoying. It doesn't take 2 hours but a bad day is 45 mins. Thicker hair is going to take longer to detangle & the longer it is obviously there's more length to detangle.

My hair isn't very silky textured so maybe that why it's harder to detangle, idk

I can detangle a section twist it & it will tangle right up again. I have to detangle the same section about 3 times.

Crackers Phinn · Feb 17, 2015

I have very thick course wiry hair that knots up at the ends easily, even in protective styles. When my hair is loose it stays coated in conditioner otherwise it wraps around itself.

I keep my hair flat twisted under wigs for two weeks between washings. I detangle once when I take my hair down, again after washing and conditioning and while I'm flat twisting I usually have to brush out the hair as I twist because the ends tangle with the manipulation.

When I detangle, I lose as much shed hair in a two week period as some people can pull into an afro puff.

I don't have any recent pictures of my loose hair, but this is from December 2012, which was the last time I attempted a loose fro.

Marand13 · Feb 17, 2015

My hair tangles like crazy if I don't keep it sectioned at all times. When I wear my hair out I have to detangle in the shower every 1-2 days. Otherwise it gets really bad.

Detangling sessions last a minimum of a half hour only when detangled prior. Most of the time it takes me a good 2hrs.

My hair is between APL & BSL right now. :yep:

bklynbornNbred · Feb 17, 2015

Britt said:
Idk... for me it's products. I find my hair very easy to detangle both relaxed and natural. It's the products that I use that make my hair easy to detangle when wet. If I try new products that do not agree with my hair then my hair will feel different and be hard to detangle.

For ex, I could go to a stylist and they use new products on me and I can tell right a way if it works for my hair, bc I can feel the extra pulling and difficulty with detangling and then when I touch my hair it feels matted and tangled... Bad product combos do this to my hair.

^^ This is me also. I can tell instantly if something off has been slipped in my hair. I'd just stop and use what I know works.

divachyk · Feb 17, 2015

I'm relaxed, 31 weeks post at the moment:
Medium to thick strands
Medium to thick density
Normal to high porosity

My hair use to be a beast to detangle because it's tangle prone. Over time, things got better with improved technique and improved hair quality (cutting away over processed ends that cling on each other). I can detangle in about 30 minutes in the shower. This time includes washing in sections, untwisting hair, detangling and retwisting the hair.

It takes me about an hour to detangle pre-wash on hair that has been braided up for a week or two.

abcd09 · Feb 17, 2015

Joigirl said:
My daughter's hair is another matter. She is BSL, has very high density and very fine strands. Her hair snaps if it is handled too rough. She also has coily 4a/4b coils that wrap around each other at the root. Detangling her hair was a literal nightmare as it grew longer. I finally asked for help and was told to keep her hair stretched at all times. I wash her hair in sections, condition and style in sections with her hair braided. It still takes 3 times longer than mine, but a lot less tangles.

That's how my natural hair was as a child. FIne hair that wraps around itself and often self destructs progress wise.

rileypak · Feb 17, 2015

I can detangle anywhere from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours.
My hair is normal to high porosity, all strand thicknesses (mostly medium to thick though), low to normal density at edges, normal to high density in nape, high to very high density from front to crown.

My personal experience: my crown takes the longest followed by the front then my nape. I don't know my hair type so I can't speak to that other than it's in the 4 types.
I usually have to use slippy condish/detangler, thick oil, strong shower stream, or any combo of the three for my crown & just some oil, condish, or shower stream will do for my front and nape.

NaturallyATLPCH · Feb 17, 2015

I have dense fine natural strands. They are very Coily. As long as I have my seamless comb and slippery conditioner, detangling is fine.

I gave up finger Detangling a long time ago. I was not getting the shed hair out and it was tangling up around itself causing breakage.

I have cut my hair though but it's now in the in between stage, not a TWA.

What makes certain types of hair easier to detangle than others??

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