6 preconceived ideas about detangling

Compulsive combing, conditioners galore... In the battle against knots, your ideas on how to combat them often get tangled and your tools are not always effective. We disentangle the truth from the myths.

1. You should only detangle hair with a comb

This is true! Switch your brush, which pulls on your locks, for a comb to gently rid your hair of knots. Although detangling with a brush is much quicker, this is only because it puts excessive pressure on the hair fibre and risks breaking it. Instead, opt for a comb which is less damaging to detangle your tresses.

2. My hair falls out more if I detangle it every day

You can rest assured that this is untrue. Thank goodness! Can you imagine choosing between knots and hair loss? Regular combing is actually very beneficial for your locks. It removes the hairs which would fall out on a daily basis anyway (the ones which form knots in your hair) and it activates scalp microcirculation which boosts hair growth.

3. It is best to detangle your locks when they are wet

No, quite the opposite! Once wet, the hair fibre is more stretchy and more fragile. It is less able to withstand the pull exerted when combing, thus increasing the risk of breakage. Instead, detangle your locks before you wash your hair. Then, dry your locks with a towel when you get out of the shower before running a comb through them.

4. Conditioner is an essential step

Not necessarily. Although beneficial for your hair, it is not essential. Your hair can easily go without it if you use a highly nourishing shampoo and if your locks are not damaged. If your hair is fine, swap your conditioner for a detangling leave-in treatment which is much lighter.

5. Fine-tooth combs are better at detangling

This is true - the closer the teeth are together, the more effective the comb will be at detangling, however... It will be more damaging than if you were to use a wide-tooth detangling comb. This makes for a real dilemma when it comes to choosing the right comb.

6. You must comb your hair from the roots down to the tips

This may seem logical and yet... You should start by detangling the tips. Then you should gradually work your way up the lengths to the roots. If you pull on knots from top to bottom, you're liable to make them worse and encourage new ones to form. Therefore, always comb your locks the right way.