Why is my hair so tangled after washing?
It’s no secret that beautiful and long hair requires proper care. However, we can all agree that dealing with knots and tangles is one of the most aggravating aspects of having long hair (apart from the fact that it takes forever to dry). It is not only time-consuming, but it may also be painful and harmful.
There might be a few causes for your hair tangling all the time. Matting can be caused by various factors, including hair texture, brushing frequency, wind exposure, and hair health.
What causes hair to clump together?
When the outside layer of your hair (cuticle) is damaged and opens up, it causes tangling. Knots develop when the open cuticles collide. A hair knot is formed when two single strands of hair are wrapped around each other and entwined.
Isn’t it tough to remove these knots (tangles) when this happens to a few strands? Tangles are less likely in hair that is smooth or silky. Damaged and textured (wavy or curly) hair, on the other hand, takes the brunt of the damage.
No one enjoys having tangled hair on their head. Many of us take measurements into our own hands and whip out the scissors because of those knots. But, before you go to that extreme, figure out what’s causing your hair to tangle in the first place.
It occurs when the cuticle, the outside layer of your hair, is damaged and opened. . A healthy cuticle is smooth and closed, but the open layers of the cuticle snag when touched other, causing tangles and knots in your hair and making you angry enough to go for the scissors. The tangles become worse as the cuticle becomes more damaged.
A damaged cuticle can be caused by some things;
- Heat
You’ll get more split ends if you use heat equipment on your hair frequently, such as blow dryers, straighteners, and curling rods because they remove moisture from your hair. Excessive sun exposure might have a similar negative impact. When you’re outside for an extended amount of time, use a heat protectant or wear a cap or bandana to protect your hair and minimize tangles.
- You are not adequately cleaning your hair
It’s easy to deplete your hair of its natural oils by overwashing it. Instead, use a mild, natural shampoo free of sulfates and parabens, and don’t wash your hair every day. Massage shampoo into your scalp and conditioner into the ends of your hair as you wash your hair.
- Moisture deficiency
The lack of moisture in your mane causes your strands to deteriorate, resulting in broken ends and knotted hair. If you have tangle-prone hair, you should always hydrate it. Also, never forget to condition the ends of your hair, no matter what your hair type is.
- Using your towel with vigor
Instead of wrapping your hair up with a towel after you get out of the shower, squeeze the water out of your strands or pat it dry. If you do decide to leave your hair in a towel, brush it out beforehand.
- Chemicals
Exposure to strong chemicals, such as bleach, hair color, or other hair products containing harsh chemicals is another method to destroy your hair.
- Genetics
Trichorrhexis nodosa is a disorder that causes the nodes surrounding your hair shaft to grow thicker or thinner than normal and the hair to break more readily. It can be inherited. Iron deficiency, hypothyroidism, or an excess of ammonia in the body are all possible causes.
How do I keep my hair from tangling when I wash it?
Care for your hair even while you’re sleeping. Cotton bedding is commonplace. Still, your hair can catch on cotton pillowcases, causing snarling while you sleep. Instead, opt for a smooth fabric like silk or polished cotton for your pillowcase.
Not ready to make the switch? Wrap your hair in a silky scarf or satin head wrap before going to bed. Use these easy tips to achieve smooth, beautiful hair. Preventing knots means you’ll spend less time on your hair and more time enjoying your favorite activities. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to tangles.
- Before washing, brush
Before you wash your hair, gently comb it with a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush. When you wash, this prevents knots from developing.
- After you’ve shampooed, be sure to condition
Apply conditioner liberally to your hair, giving special attention to the ends. First, remove any knots you come across with your fingertips. Next, pull a wide-tooth comb through your hair once you’ve worked through all of the tangles. The conditioner will make it easier for the comb to glide through your hair. Conditioning twice and applying a leave-in treatment are recommended if your hair is thick, coarse, or curly.
- Allow hair to dry
The “towel turban” should be avoided since the twisting action might cause tangling or breaking. It’s also not a good idea to dry your hair with a scratchy towel. Instead, pat your hair dry and carefully squeeze out any extra water.
- Make sure your ends are sealed
To seal in moisture, apply a sealer to the tips of your hair after conditioning. This technique will also prevent snarls by preventing your ends from twisting around each other.
- Before going to the gym, put your hair up
Avoid tangles by loosely tying hair into a bun, ponytail, or braids when playing sports, swimming, or simply being active. The aim is to limit the mobility of your hair to reduce the risks of matting. Place your buns and ponytails on various parts of your head to avoid damaging your hair. When your hair is pushed back firmly in the same area for a lengthy period, it can cause chignon alopecia or hair loss near the crown.
- Protect yourself from the wind
When the wind blows, your hair may become a tangled mess in a matter of seconds. First, protect your hair from the weather by wearing a hat or scarf. Then, to keep your hair from flying all over the place, pull it back into a more protective style.
- Even when sleeping, take care of your hair
Cotton bedding is popular, but it can cause snarling if your hair gets caught in the pillowcases. For your pillowcase, use a smooth material such as silk or refined cotton. Are you unsure if you’re ready to make the change? Before going to bed, cover your hair in a silk scarf or a satin head wrap.
Following these simple techniques, you may have beautiful, silky hair. In addition, you’ll spend a little less time on your hair and more time doing other things if you avoid knots. A pound of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to knots.
How do you fix tangled hair?
Start detangling your hair even before you wash it if it’s snarled.
- Hairspray
Coat your hair with coconut oil. Add a few drops of Brahmi or Jaborandi essential oil. Rub your strands gently with the oil. To add moisture to your hair, leave it on for 15 minutes. Using your fingers, attempt to untangle the knots.
- Make sure you brush it properly
To eliminate any tangles, gently brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Brushing your hair from the bottom up is the best approach to remove knots from the ends. At least three to four times a day, brush your hair in portions from the bottom up. This will save you time when it comes to detangling.
- Shampoo
Hot water might damage your hair’s already fragile cuticles, so wash it with cool water instead. Select a herbal shampoo that is appropriate for your hair type. Use a diluted shampoo on your scalp as well as your hair’s length. The product should not be rubbed into your hair forcefully. From top to bottom, just slide your fingertips.
- Conditioners
Apply apple cider vinegar to your hair after you’ve rinsed it with shampoo. Allow 3-4 minutes for apple cider vinegar to sit in damp hair before rinsing it off. Any other herbal hair conditioner can be used as well.
- Detangling sprays, masks, and serums for hair
Herbal serums may be used throughout the day to keep your hair conditioned. To give your hair more nourishment, add a hair mask to your routine. To untangle your hair, you can use a safe and moderate detangling spray.
- Dry your hair
Don’t use a towel to dry your hair excessively. Instead, simply squeeze the extra water out of your hair with your hands and pat it dry with a muslin towel. Allow a few minutes for your hair to dry naturally. Using a hairdryer is not recommended.
- Divide and conquer
When your hair is still somewhat damp, tangles are easier to eliminate. Divide your hair into four parts if it’s too thick. Otherwise, two portions will suffice to fully disentangle your hair.
- Be kind to yourself
Always remember to treat your hair and knots with care. If you routinely leave your hair open, follow the procedures above regularly to avoid hard knots in your hair. While detangling, this will also assist you in avoiding shedding extra hair.
What is Trichonodosis?
Trichonodosis is defined by knotted hair on the hair shaft’s distal end. This may occur naturally or due to mechanical causes such as severe scratching or combing of the hair. Trichonodosis is linked to abnormal hair growth on the scalp and the body. The knots must be differentiated from head louse ova. Trichonodosis is a prevalent condition with a low prevalence of reporting.
How do I keep my hair from knotting overnight?
Those who toss and turn at night frequently find their hair in a tangle of snarls when they wake up. Untangling hair may be a time-consuming, unpleasant, and time-consuming procedure. You may prevent knots from developing by oiling, bunning, braiding, or covering your hair at night.
There might be some reasons why your hair tangles at night. Hair texture, brushing frequency, wind exposure, and other factors are among them. It is more likely to tangle if your hair is thick and curly, long and fragile, or dry and damaged.
- Hair Serum should be used
Oil your hair before going to bed if you want to wash it in the morning. The oil will moisturize your skin well, and the residue will be rinsed away in the shower. More significantly, it will give your hair “slide” overnight, keeping it from tangling and trapping. To avoid grease stains, use an old pillowcase or put your oiled hair in a hat at night if your hair loves heavy oiling. Bunning and braided hair both benefit from oiling.
- Nighttime Braids
Braiding is a great technique to keep your hair from becoming tangled. Two braids, for example, are more secure than one because the hair is more tightly contained. Most people just need one braid, but two braids may be more convenient if you sleep on your back because they don’t rub against your head and pillow.
- Wear your hair in buns at night
Sleep buns are a great alternative to braids for people who find them unpleasant. Cinnabuns on top of the head is a basic example. Buns hold the hair in place somewhat less firmly than braids, but they may be more practical for long hair, as braids can get caught under your back or twisted around your neck.
- Protect your hair by wearing a nightcap
A nightcap may appear charming, but it’s a practical technique to keep your hair from tangling and causing damage. Hair snags on rough surfaces, causing strands to break and knots to form. The hair slides against the smooth surface of a velvety nightcap. Try a satin pillowcase if you don’t want to wear a hat to bed. When your braids and buns seem less fuzzy and frizzy in the morning, you’ll notice a change.
- Consider switching from a cotton to a silk or satin pillowcase
Your cotton pillowcase can generate friction that draws moisture from your hair when it brushes against your pillow every night. When your hair is completely dry, it may become tangled in the cotton. Replace your cotton pillowcase with silk or even satin to avoid those unpleasant knots. Silk and satin pillowcases help hydrate the skin and hair while also preventing fine lines and wrinkles.
What home remedy gets rid of knots?
Trying to comb your hair every day if it tends to get tangled and knotted may be annoying, not to mention damaging to your hair. In addition, brushing too hard through tangles might result in hair loss and broken ends. Instead, try any of these hair detangling home treatments.
- Rinse with apple cider vinegar
In a cup of warm water, dissolve one spoonful of apple cider vinegar. After shampooing, apply this mixture over your hair and let it for a few minutes before conditioning as normal. Repeat the apple cider vinegar and conditioner process if your hair is severely knotted.
- Mask made with baking soda and conditioner
Combine one portion of baking soda and three portions of conditioner in a mixing bowl. Make sure the ingredients are properly combined. To apply the mixture to all regions of your hair and scalp, divide your hair into pieces. Massage it into your scalp for a few minutes after applying it, then leave it alone for half an hour. If the combination becomes excessively drippy, cover your head with a shower hat. Next, rinse your hair with warm water until the paste is completely gone.
- Conditioning spray
Mix one part conditioner with three parts water in a spray bottle to untangle your hair quickly. Shake the container to mix the conditioner and water, then spray your hair, paying special attention to the snarls. Wait a few moments before gently combing out the knots with a wide-toothed comb. This treatment may also be used to untangle the hair of your children.
Conclusion
If your hair is prone to tangling, consider putting it in a braid or a ponytail to keep it from tangling. Instead of combing your hair all at once, split it into three or four pieces and comb each section separately. Wet hair should not be slept with. Instead, let it air dry before tying it into a braid before going to bed.