Thank you for coming to my blog. I made this because of my horrific experience with my lovely hair. My entire head of thick curly hair was matted like dreads but worse. My hair was matted to the roots! I don't want anyone in the world to go through what I went through or spend hundred of dollars visiting the salon. Before you do anything to your matted/tangled hair, read this blog. I will tell you exactly what I did. If you have any questions, please comment.
Getting Started
1. Do Not Panic - where there's a will, there's always a way.
- Do not wash your hair - Hair shrinks when it drys, and this causes matts and tanlges to tighten. The tighter the knots, the harder it is to get them out. I made the mistake of washing my hair after it was tangled, and it matted my hair even more.
- Do not brush/comb hair- I will teach you the proper way to unmatt your hair
2. Be Patient - this will take time, but it is possible
It may take you hours, days, weeks or months, but it is possible to unmatt your hair. My hair took 7 months to untangle because I was busy with college, got very sick, and suffered form depression during the time. If I can do it, so can you. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! If you need help, leave a comment.
3. What You'll Need - all are affordable and can be used after you untangle your hair for deep conditioning and repair.
Tools (the most important are in bold)
- Rat tail comb
- Quilting pins (this will be your new best friend!)
- Medium tooth comb
- Towel - you will need to wipe your hands often
- News paper or something to put under you so it's easy to clean up
- Mirror - optional
Quilting pins
Rat tail comb
Products
Out of all the products I've tried, only one product worked well. Also, I accidentally created an amazing detangler that works well too. - The detangler that worked well is called Knotty Boy Every Body Ultimate Detangler
- The detangler I accidentally created
- Yes to Carrots - Pampering Conditioner
- Nutiva - Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- Mix 1 part Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner with 1 part Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Knotty Boy Every Body Ultimate Detangler
Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner
Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
How to Untangle Matted Hair - the untagling process
1. Preparing the Hair - softening the hair helps prevent breaking
- Find a small section or piece of hair to work on start with the easiest piece you can find. Finish all the easiest sections/pieces and leave the worst for last.
- Heavily coat your section/piece with coconut oil. Make sure the coconut oil is in liquid form. You can warm it up by rubbing some between your hands. You can also microwave it for a few seconds. If the weather is hot, your coconut oil is probably in liquid form. The oil needs to be liquid to get between tight knots.
- Let oil sit in hair - the longer the better (before I untangle a hard matt, I marinate it with oil for at least a day). The goal is to get the oil to solidify inside your matt/tangle.
- You can repeat this process as much as you want on your section/piece - the more the better
- Use Knotty Boy or the detangler I accidentally created to massage in your section/piece using a downward motion with hands. Make sure to coat from root to tip even if it's not tangled there.
2. Using Quilting Pin - be creative and careful
You have to be creative with your tools, but also careful because you can break your hair, poke yourself, or lose your pin.
Always start at the very tip of the hair - use pin to lightly comb on the tip of the hair. STOP WHEN YOU FEEL RESISTANCE FROM THE HAIR. If you feel resistance you can lightly tug or pick it.
- Why is the quilting pin so important? The pin is the only tool I've found that can remove single strands of hair away from small tight knots. You can actually stick the pin inside the knot and tug downward and sideways on one strand of hair to release it.
- Rat tail comb: I find that this comb is useful in creating small sections/pieces or to loosen matts before or during pinning. Insert the TAIL of comb between matts or inside a mat and lightly comb or tug/pick.
- Medium Tooth Comb: this comb should be used when all the small tangles are removed. For example, if I've taken out the small knots from the tip of the hair, I'd comb the tip of the hair before starting on the the middle of the hair with my pin. The medium tooth comb can also be used to loosen matts before, during, and after pinning.
Things to Remember
This is a long process and it will take time
Always start from tip to root
Untangle one small section/piece at a time
STOP when you feel resistance from your hair
Finish all the easiest sections/pieces and leave the worst for last
Never give up! Leave a comment for help!
You might have to cut the very tips of your hair to get started on a piece
You will loose some hair in the process (I will write a blog on how to grow hair fast)
I would like to say thank you to my mom, Farai, and myself for giving me motivation and helping me with my hair.
