How to Detangle Dry, Damaged Hair

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

Hair can become dry or damaged in number of ways. Dyeing, processing, and the regular use of certain products like hairspray can alter the structure of your hair. The result is often dry hair prone to tangles and breaks. If this sounds like your hair, don't worry! There are a number of methods you can use to reinvigorate and untangle those locks.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Leave-In Conditioner

1
Follow your regular healthy hair routine. Wash your hair using whatever method works best for you. Don't let your hair dry completely before the next step. Avoid blow-drying, as the heat can dry out and damage your hair further.
2
Massage or spray some leave-in conditioner into your wet hair.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} Be sure to get the roots as well as the tips. There are a variety of different leave-in conditioners available. Pick the one that works best for your hair type.^{[2]
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Research source}

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3
Prepare your rinse-out conditioner. This can be your favorite conditioner straight out of the bottle. A dollop of hand lotion can be added to increase the slipperiness of your hair, making the detangling process easier. Especially dry hair can benefit from the addition of hair oils, which work to soften and moisturize.^{[3]
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Research source} The best product for this step is dependent on your hair's unique qualities, so trial and error over time may be necessary to find your perfect conditioner. However, there are some basic guidelines you can follow depending on your hair type to narrow things down:
- Straight, fine hair: Volumizing conditioners will keep your hair from looking too flat.^{[4]
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- Wavy hair: Light-weight moisturizing conditioners are able to both moisturize your hair to get rid of tangles without flattening out your natural volume.
- Thick, curly hair: Deep-hydrating moisturizers are necessary to prevent this hair type from drying and causing further tangles.^{[5]
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- Coily: This type of hair needs the most intense moisturizers, and it's often best to use products specifically designed with African-American hair in mind. Look for conditioners that include oils or shea butter among their ingredients.^{[6]
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4
Gently massage your rinse-out conditioner into your hair. Start from the back bottom and work your way up and to the front. Make sure to work the conditioner into the full length of your hair. If your hair is long, pile the conditioned back portion on top of your head to reach the hair underneath.
5
Leave the conditioner in for no longer than five minutes before rinsing it out. Gently comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb as you rinse. Don't use a brush, as brushes can cause further tangles. Start combing in sections from the tip of your hair to the roots to avoid breakage.^{[7]
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6
Continue to comb your hair after you've finished rinsing.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} Massage or spray in a small amount of leave-in conditioner. Remove most of the water by wrapping your hair with a towel for a few minutes. Rubbing your hair with a towel can damage your hair.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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7
Allow your hair to air dry, combing every 10-20 minutes. Letting your hair dry naturally prevents future damage and tangles. Be gentle while combing to avoid breaks. You don't need to be as careful once your hair is almost completely dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Mineral Oil

1
Take a small amount of mineral oil and mix it with some conditioner. Rub the mixture in your hands until the two are well-blended. Be careful not to use too much, as that may result in greasy hair. You can also substitute a variety of other hair oils for this step.^{[10]
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Research source}^{[11]
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- "Hair oil" is a generic term for dozens of different oils that can be used to moisturize hair. Some of the most common hair oils are ones you probably recognize from cooking: olive oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil.^{[12]
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  Research source} Hair oils are generally recommended for hair that is thick and dry. Fine, oily hair will likely become flat and extra greasy if these products are used.
2
Apply the mixture to the tangled parts of your hair. Use your fingers to gently rub it into the tangle itself.^{[13]
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Research source} Gentleness is key. If you aren't careful with this step, you may make the tangle worse.
3
Pull a wide-tooth comb gently through the tangle. Start with the part of the tangle closest to the hair's tips. Gently work the comb towards the roots. Combing forcefully from the roots can result in lost hair! This process can take some time depending on the size and severity of the tangle, so patience is key.
4
Wash out the oil with a small amount of shampoo once the tangle has been completely removed. Be careful not to re-tangle your hair while you rinse. Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner. Gently comb your hair and allow it to air-dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Water or Detangling Spray

1
Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb. Don't use a brush, as brushes can make tangles worse. This method is best for long hair with only minor tangles. If you can't run a comb through your hair at all, try one of the other methods instead.
2
Part your hair into three sections. Separate your hair out into back, right, and left. Hold each section in place with a large hair clip. This step is to make your hair easier to handle. If yours is short enough, you can skip this step.
3
Unclip and wet the section you're doing first. You can use either plain water or a specialty detangling spray.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} As with most of the products recommended here, what you pick is dependent upon your hair type. In general, curly and coily hair benefit most from detanglers, while plain water often works for straight and wavy hair.
4
Pull a wide-tooth comb gently through your damp hair. Slowly and gently comb your hair in sections, moving from tips to roots. Continue combing until your hair is completely untangled. If you find this step difficult, you may need to wet your hair a bit more. Just make sure it isn't completely soaked!
5
Reclip the first section and repeat steps 3-4 with the remaining sections. If your hair is straight, don't let the previous sections completely dry while clipped. This could result in a chaotic, messy look. Simply remoisten as necessary to prevent drying.
6
Remove all clips and comb the sections together. Allow your hair to air-dry. Remember that blow-drying can dry out your hair too much and lead to further damage. Avoid having to repeat the detangling!

Expert Q&A

Question

What helps detangle hair?

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.

Michael Van den Abbeel

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Try working through your hair with a wide-toothed comb to break apart tangles. You can also apply a detangling spray before you comb through your hair to help even more.
Question

How do I detangle my hair when it has a massive knot and all my hairs are knotted together?

Tracyriggs

Community Answer

You want to find a moisturizing conditioner that will help you detangle your dry, damaged hair. Start in the shower. Wet your hair, then use a paddle brush to gently work the conditioner through your hair. Work in small sections, and be gentle.
Question

How times should I apply oil to my damaged and rough hair?

Community Answer

You can apply as much as you want, but make sure you do not put too much as it can cause dandruff.