One of the most delicate parts of any hair care routine is getting rid of tangles in curly hair. Curly hair is more likely to get tangled because of how it is made. If you don’t know how to properly detangle your hair, you could end up with split ends and a lot of stress. But you can untangle your curls gently and well if you know how. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to untangle curly hair step by step.
What makes curly hair need special care?
Curly hair has a different texture than straight hair, which makes it more likely to get knots and tangles. Each strand has bends and twists that can make nearby hairs wrap around each other, which can cause tangles. Also, natural oils made by the scalp have a harder time moving down the length of curly hair. This can make the hair dry, which is a big reason why it breaks when you try to untangle it. That’s why it is important to be gentle and use the right methods.
How to Untangle: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Begin with hair that is wet or damp.
Don’t ever try to untangle dry curly hair because it’s more likely to break when it’s dry. Start by getting your hair completely wet, preferably in the shower. You can use a detangling solution or conditioner to help loosen the knots and make it easier to slip. The moisture makes the hair cuticle softer, which makes it easier to get through tangles.
Are Wide Tooth Combs Good for Curly Hair 2026 Guide That Explains Benefits And Best Techniques
2. Divide Your Hair
Use your fingers or hair clips to break your hair up into smaller, easier-to-manage pieces. Four to eight sections may be best, depending on how thick your hair is. Working in sections gives you more control and cuts down on the amount of manipulation you have to do in each section, which keeps your hair from breaking.
3. Detangle with your fingers First
Before you use any tools, use your fingers to untangle each section. Use your fingers to carefully work through big knots. This lets you feel and gently pull apart knots without the rough pulling that brushes or combs can cause. Be patient and take your time with this step.
4. Use a brush or comb with wide teeth to get rid of tangles.
When the section is mostly free of big knots, use a wide-toothed comb or a brush with flexible bristles to go through the hair. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots, carefully getting rid of any knots that are still there. Never pull down from the root, as this can cause breakage and damage.
5. Keep your hair hydrated all the time
If your hair starts to dry out while you’re detangling it, add more conditioner or water to it. Keeping the hair moist lowers friction and makes the process go more smoothly. Curly hair that dries while you’re detangling can get tangled up again very quickly, especially if you don’t pay attention to it.
6. Be kind and take your time.
One of the main reasons hair breaks is when you rush through detangling. Be gentle with your curls especially at the nape and crown, where the hair is more fragile. Don’t try to untie a knot that won’t come undone. Put on more conditioner, then use your fingers or a fine-tooth comb to gently work it out.
7. Rinse and style as you normally would.
Rinse out any conditioner or detangling product after all the sections are untangled. While your hair is still wet, go ahead and style it as you normally would. It’s easier to define and style hair that isn’t tangled, and styles will last longer if you get rid of knots.
More Ways to Keep Your Hair from Getting Tangled
- Wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf or pillowcase while you sleep to cut down on friction.
- Keep your hair hydrated by using leave-in conditioners or moisturizing creams. Dry hair tangles more easily.
- Don’t touch or style your hair too much. Touching and styling your hair too much can cause tangles, so try to limit how much you do it.
- Cut your hair often because split ends can cause knots and snags. Every few months, you should trim your hair to keep the ends healthy and easy to handle.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
Certain habits can hurt you and set you back, even if you mean well. Here are some common mistakes people make when trying to untangle:
1. Getting rid of tangles in dry hair without using any products
Some people try to untangle their dry curls because it’s easier or because they always do it. But dry hair doesn’t have the stretchiness it needs to stretch and bounce back, so it’s more likely to break. Always untangle hair when it’s wet or full of product.
2. Using the Wrong Tools
Using tools that aren’t made for textured hair, like small-tooth combs, rough brushes, or other tools, can cause tearing and breakage. Get tools that are specifically made for curly or coily hair, like wide-tooth combs, detangling brushes with flexible bristles or even just your fingers.
3. Not regularly detangling
If you let tangles build up for days or weeks, it can be more painful and take longer to get rid of them. Depending on how you style your hair and how often you curl it, you usually only need to detangle it once or twice a week to keep knots from getting too bad.
4. Being too aggressive
Pulling or yanking tangles, especially from the roots, can hurt the hair shaft and make the scalp weaker over time. Be careful and patient with each tangle.
Advanced Tips for Making Detangling Easier
Here are some more things you can do to improve your detangling routine:
1. Treatments Before Poo
Before washing, you can use oils or conditioning masks to soften your hair. This will make it more flexible and easier to untangle. This step is good for hair with high porosity and curl patterns that are tighter.
2. Untangle While Conditioning
Put on a lot of conditioner and use this time to get rid of knots. Most conditioners give your hair the slip it needs to gently get rid of tangles with little friction. This step also helps the product get deeper into the skin.
3. Use steam or heat
Adding light steam (like using a shower cap in a steamy bathroom) can help open the hair cuticle and make it easier for products to get into the hair. Be careful with heat so you don’t lose moisture or damage the heat.
4. Styling for protection
If you wear your hair in protective styles like braids, twists, or buns, it won’t get tangled in the first place, especially at night or on days when you’re very active just make sure these styles aren’t too tight, because that can cause tension and breakage.
Detangling is an important part of a healthy hair care routine.
Detangling is not just a one-time thing; it’s part of a whole curly hair care routine. To keep your hair from breaking while you detangle it, follow these healthy hair habits all week:
- Drink water and eat a balanced diet to keep your hair healthy from the inside out.
- Condition your hair deeply on a regular basis to make it easier to untangle.
- Limit your exposure to heat and chemicals. These can make your hair weaker, which makes it more likely to tangle and break.
- Be careful: Be gentle with your curls when you style, detangle, or wash them.
End
In short, you now know how to get rid of tangles in curly hair. You don’t have to worry about damaging or hurting your hair when you detangle it. If done right, it gives you a chance to connect with and care for others. You can untangle your curls with the least amount of damage and the most care if you use the right tools and have the right attitude.
Keep in mind that being patient is an important part of any healthy hair care routine. If you want to get strong defined and resilient hair in the long run, you need to be gentle and consistent when you detangle your curls or someone else’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you untangle curly hair when it’s wet or dry?
When curly hair is wet and has conditioner or a detangling product on it, it’s best to untangle it. This makes it easier to slip and less likely to break than when you try to detangle dry hair, which is more fragile.
What is the best way to keep your hair from breaking when you detangle it?
To avoid breaking things, always work in sections. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to start untangling from the ends up. Keep your hair well-moisturized and don’t pull on knots or rush through them.
How often do you need to untangle curly hair?
Most curly hair types only need to be detangled once or twice a week, and wash days are the best days to do it. But how often you do it can depend on your curl pattern, how quickly your hair tangles, and how you style it. Pay attention to what your hair needs.
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Curly Hair in 2026 That Restores Moisture And Smoothness
