Banishing Bad Hair Days since 1997!™

Tangled Hair: How To Deal

Introduction

Tangled hair can range from a slight annoyance to a major hair knot which may be so matted it is difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Depending on the level of tangling hair may be referred to as bird's nest hair.

Hair that is super short is much less likely to deal with tangle challenges than hair that is medium length or longer. In fact, the longer the tresses, the more risk of tangling issues.

The key to dealing with hair tangles is understanding the different type, how they develop and how to address them before they become irreversible.

Types of Hair Tangles

1. Tangles which occur as a result of hair type, texture and ongoing condition 2. Age related tangling 3. Tangles resulting from daily hair wear and tear 4. Spot tangles due to genetic hair formation or selected hair style 5. Chronic tangling as a result of chemical treatments 6. Post shampoo tangling especially when hair is piled on top of head or handled improperly 7. Tangles resulting from use of certain hair care and styling formulas 8. Environmentally caused tangles 9. Minor tangles allowed to develop into major hair knots and matting 10. Tangles deliberately cultivated in the case of particular hair styles such as dreads 11. Hair tangles which develop from introduction of foreign objects 12. Tangling as the result of improper hair styling, maintenance and general care 13. Hair extension related tangles 14. Hair loss tangling

Tangles resulting from hair type, texture and/or condition

Some types, textures and conditions of hair are more prone to tangling than other types. Fine hair is often soft and less liable to tangling than naturally wavy or curly hair.

An inherited condition related to hair tangling known as uncombable hair syndrome or "cheveus incoiffables" occurs in some rare cases.

It is also known as spun-glass hair and pili trianguli et canaliculi. Uncombable hair syndrome results in grossly abnormal hair during infancy and early childhood. In many cases the syndrome improves with age.

Several conditions are associated with uncombable hair, such as ectodermal dysplasia, retinal dysplasia/pigmentary dystrophy, juvenile cataract, digit abnormalities, tooth enamel anomalies, oligodontia, and phalangoepiphyseal dysplasia.

For more information regarding uncombable hair syndrome refer to the following abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11407534?dopt=Abstract

Age related tangling

Besides the appearance of uncombable hair syndrome which appears in infancy and early childhood, hair can become more prone to tangling as some adults age.

Tangles resulting from daily hair wear and tear

Hair can tangle due to a wide range of causes.

Tangling may occur when the hair is neglected for an extended period of time or is not detangled regularly or properly.

Remember to always completely detangle your tresses before you shower, shampoo your hair or log any bed time.

Catching a small tangle before it grows into a larger one is always a good plan.

Spot tangles due to genetic hair formation or selected hair style

he key to dealing with hair tangles is understanding the different type, how they develop and how to address them before they become irreversible.

Chronic tangling As A Result Of Chemical Treatments

Tangled hair is sometimes referred to as a birds nest of hair. Hair that is damaged from excessive perming, straightening, coloring or a combination of ongoing chemical treatments may be more prone to forming major tangles.

Chemical treatments can actually accelerate the natural weathering of hair strands which causes the hair to become much more prone to knotting.

Post shampoo tangling

Hair is more prone to tangling when it is wet than when it is dry.

Tangles resulting from use of certain hair care and styling formulas

Depending on hair type, texture and condition, excessive use of some styling products will render the strands more prone to dryness and result in knotting or tangling.

Environmentally caused tangles

The environment can actually cause unexpected tangling. Wind, rain, sleet and snow can encourage tangles. Even when hair is secured into a ponytail or bun, wind can whip your hair into a tangled knot. If you enjoy riding in an open air vehicle, make sure hair is firmly secured.

Tresses caught in a sudden rainstorm could also be in danger of serious matting if the strands are not immediately combed out. You may also be prone to sudden tangling if you do not protect your hair from too much sand or surf.

When possible keep a cap, scarf or other head covering always available to protect your hair for any type of weather related emergency.

Minor tangles allowed to develop into major hair knots

Removing any type of knots or tangles from strands can be time consuming. Some hair consumers ignore minor knots only to discover they eventually morph into major matted hair messes which can not be easily resolved.

Tangles deliberately cultivated in the case of particular hair styles such as dreads

Dreadlock aficionados live for the chance to wear works of tangled hair art. Some dreaded folks literally spend years twisting and tangling their strands until they have achieved a glorious creation.

Hair tangles which develop from introduction of foreign objects

Hair borne foreign objects can include anything sticky such as gum or melted candy or even liquids that are inadvertently splashed onto unsuspecting strands.

A HairBoutique.com visitor reported years ago that her waist length hair had become irreversibly tangled in very sticky insect repellant sticks when her strands accidently brushed across the dreaded objects.

Another visitor from the South got her knee length hair tangled in a large fan, which could have been life threatening without the quick action of a watchful spouse.

Even clothing can cause tangling. Long strands allowed to continuously brush against knobby or rough fabric may become seriously knotted over time.

Tangling as the result of improper hair maintenance and care

Hair can get lightly tangled from a number of common experiences from a restless night of sleeping to daily wear and tear of longer strands. However, the more severe tangling situations can occur from the following situations:

Hair Extension Tangling

The addition of some types of hair extension systems may result in severe tangling with the host hair if the extensions are not detangled on a daily basis. Tangling may occur because as the natural hair continues to fall out, it may become entangled with the extension strands.

The intentional creation of the dreadlocks hairstyle will automatically generate tangles.

Hair can also tangle when piled on top of the head during shampoo treatments, around various types of curlers and in hair brushes.

Hair Loss Tangling

The addition of some types of hair extension systems may result in severe tangling with the host hair if the extensions are not detangled on a daily basis. Tangling may occur because as the natural hair continues to fall out, it may become entangled with the extension strands.

Dealing With Tangles

The best plan for dealing with all types of tangles from minor to major is to use preventive care with your tresses.

If tangles do occur, consider the following detangling options:

1.

(Image courtesy of Clairol - 2003 - all rights reserved).

5. Hair Styling Tangles

6. Chemical Treatments

Detangling Tips

Some major tangles may just not be salvageable. Although I am a huge advocate of giving something your very best shot, I also believe that after a point you have to throw in the detangling pick.

Would I spend a week detangling my own hair? Probably. Would I recommend someone else do that? Only if they loved their long hair as much as I love mine.

(Image courtesy of Clairol - 2003)

So what can you do to try and recover from a major matted tangled web of hair:

Summary

Then it comes to tangled tresses, it is always best to avoid them in the first place if you can. When the tangles happen anyway, follow the steps listed above and do the best you can to remedy the situation. If all else fails, forgive yourself for any tangles that have occurred, for whatever reason and promise yourself you will do better next time. And trust me, you will.

Social Media Network Information

Please follow me on Twitter at: http://Twitter.com/HairBoutique. I look forward to meeting new people from all walks of Twitter and learning from their Tweets. Visit us at Hairboutique.com located at: http://www.HairBoutique.com, on Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.

Thank you for visiting us at The HairBoutique Blog and for leaving your comments. They are very much appreciated. We apologize in advance but must remove any direct advertisements or solicitations.

- Revised Publication Date: 03/09/10

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

Social Media Network Information

Please follow us on Twitter at: https://Twitter.com/HairBoutique. I look forward to meeting new people from all walks of Twitter and learning from their Tweets.

loading
 
New On HairBoutique.com
Active HairTalk Threads
Wanna talk?
HairTalk® is the place for you!
Recent Topics:
Quick Poll
Which style of bang do you prefer to flaunt?
Blunt cut
Side swept
Angeled
Baby bangs
Below the eyebrow
Unusual, i.e. mohawk
Daily Hair Tip
Give short hair tousled looks by scrunching or running fingers through wet hair as it air dries. Use blowdryer on low setting for faster results.
Top Gallery Images