Knotty hair isn’t a life-altering problem, but it can be incredibly frustrating and painful to deal with daily. Continuously applying pressure to detangle your locks can also weaken your scalp and lead to thinning or breakage down the line. In this article, we’ll talk about the causes of hair tangling, how you can prevent it, and a few treatment methods you can use to remain tangle-free.

Table of Contents

• Why does my hair get so tangled underneath?
• What can I do to prevent hair tangling?
• Which products can I use to make my hair tangle-free?

Why does my hair get so tangled underneath?

It doesn’t matter what the length of your hair is — it’s bound to get caught up in tangles from time to time and leave you frustrated. Things get worse if you have long hair, though, which is why a lot of women cut their locks short and rid themselves of the hassle of spending half the morning with a thick comb in hand.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t always help, because the root cause of tangled hair has little to do with length. The problem runs deeper and lies in the quality of your strands. You might have noticed that, immediately after you get a haircut, there are no knots to be found. But that’s not necessarily because your hair is now shorter, but because it has recently been treated to the benefits of various massaging agents and smoothing products to bring out the best in it. The point is not to say that you should visit a salon more often, but to underline the fact that, with proper care, it is possible to have long hair without having to deal with tangles and knots. 

But before we talk about how to prevent hair tangling, it’s important to figure out the answer to: “Why does my hair get so tangled underneath?”

It’s simple. When the scales of your cuticle, which form the outermost layer of your shaft, refuse to lie flat, strands tend to wrap around each other and get stuck that way. This commonly occurs when you have curls or coarse hair, but it can happen to any type of hair. Sometimes, the intertwined hair is unable to be shed and remains caught up with healthy strands, worsening the situation. Why underneath? Well, it may be because it’s where your hair rubs against your clothes, but it may also be because that’s where your hair gets curly / wavy. 

Hair tangling is far more common among those with damaged hair. The effects of over-bleaching, excess heat exposure, and treatment with products containing alcohol can make the hair more vulnerable to knots. In a similar vein, if you have curly hair or suffer from hair dryness, frequent knotting might be something you’ve learned to live with. Lucky for you, there are ways to remedy the situation.

What can I do to prevent hair tangling?

If flinching in pain each morning as your big, scary comb yanks at the many, many knots that managed to emerge overnight is just not cutting it for you anymore, there are several ways to change that. Here are the 3 best tips and tricks to keep your hair smooth, strong, and untangled:

Use organic products

Chemicals are bad news for hair. They are harsh, unforgiving, and lead to damage. Using organic products that are concocted without synthetic irritants will help your hair in a safe and gentle way, leading to healthier hair that is less prone to tangles.

Avoid aggressive rubs or scratches

The knots formed during a hair wash can be made worse by vigorously rubbing it afterwards with a towel. Stick to wrapping a microfiber cloth or cotton t-shirt around your hair, both of which are highly absorbent and non-damaging to delicate strands.

Replace cotton pillowcases with silk

As soft and cool as cotton is, it can cause hair to stick and knot while you sleep. Silk, on the other hand, inherently provides a slippery surface with fewer chances of snarling.

Some other tricks you can try at home are deep conditioning more often, braiding the hair before bedtime, brushing it before every wash, and using the right brush with wider teeth.

Which products can I use to make my hair tangle-free?

Leave-in conditioners, detangling sprays, and using certain types of hair oils are some ways to prevent your hair from knotting. Here are some specific products you can use to soften your hair so that it’s too smooth to tangle and easy to detangle:

Infused with vital nutrients that form an indispensable part of any hair care routine, this revitalizing spray breathes life into dull, lackluster hair and brings out its natural shine. Ingredients like jojoba oil, safflower oil, Moroccan argan oil, and sweet almond oil work together to tame frizz and keep locks from entangling underneath. Additionally, rosemary essential oil, bhringraj extract, and vitamin E combine their powers to make your hair stronger at the roots and fuller at the ends. With regular application, you get gorgeous hair that feels much more voluminous and happy!

Containing no parabens or silicones, the WOW 10 in 1 Miracle Mist Tonic doesn’t only moisturize your face, but also hydrates the scalp. Whether your scalp is too oily, too dry, or too sensitive, the spray’s gentle ingredients and essential oils restore the natural pH level and act like damage control. Containing apple cider vinegar, aloe vera leaf juice, witch hazel extract, lavender essential oil, and tea tree among a variety of other ingredients, the mist smoothens your strands from end to end, leaving you with super-silky, tangle-free hair that shines from good health.

Hair knotting can be reduced but not completely eliminated. However, this Gentle Flex Detangling Brush from WOW can help you detangle wet and dry tresses easily without subjecting them to breakage. Equipped with a comfortable handle, hollow brush body, and 8 rows of bristles that can be adjusted, the brush offers a painless way to uncoil and detangle.

The best way to keep your hair healthy and happy is to design a self-care routine that works for you. Browse the WOW Hair Care collection to find the right treatments and accomplish all your hair goals.