Your ultimate Mum-guide for how to smooth and detangle matted hair - Without Tears!
Matted Hair? No Problem! Many of us know the pain of the dreaded hairbrush battle - the meltdowns, tears, stress and drama. Dealing with matted hair can feel like an impossible task. But don’t worry! With the right approach, tools, and technique, you can solve matted hair woes.
Why Does Kid's Hair Get So Matted?
Kids tend to be little whirlwinds of movement, always on the go. The main culprits for their matted hair are:
• Rolling around in bed like tiny acrobats.
• Wind and weather whipping their hair into a tangled mess.
• Hats, scarves, and collars rubbing and knotting up their strands.
• Dry, thirsty hair that’s crying out for moisture (especially in summer, when swimming in salt water or chlorine is a regular occurrence).
• Product build-up - Not washing hair thoroughly enough or regularly enough can lead to product buildup, which prevents hair from absorbing moisture and nutrients, leading to dry strands, and dry hair is more prone to tangling.
• Using the wrong products – Harsh formulas that aren’t made for children can over-strip hair of moisture, making it dry, brittle and more prone to tangles.
Your Ultimate Detangling Toolkit
Before diving into the step-by-step process of smoothing matted hair, let’s talk essentials. The right tools can make all the difference when de-matting. You'll need;
Detangling Brush – Your best friend for stubborn knots. Choose one with wide-set, flexible bristles, designed specifically for detangling.
Detangling Spray – Your secret weapon to add slip, for effortless, pain-free knot removal.
Kids Shampoo and Conditioner – Good quality, sulfate-free Shampoo and Conditioner, to keep hair clean, soft and manageable.
Microfiber towel – Less friction = fewer tangles.
Step By Step Guide:
1. Start With Damp Hair Never attack matted hair dry!
For extremely matted hair, our best recommendation is to dampen hair, add conditioner and leave on for at least 5mins. To amplify the detangling effects, wrap cling film around the conditioned hair to trap heat and moisture, promoting better absorption. Make sure to use a conditioner that is silicone-free, to avoid product build-up, which often leads to... (yep) matted hair.
2. Add water After letting the conditioner sit, add a small amount of warm water and start manipulating hair with your fingers, to gently loosen tangled hair, before rinsing thoroughly.
3. Shampoo hair using a good quality sulfate-free shampoo, to remove dirt, debris, impurities and product build-up. Rinse and reapply Conditioner, leaving it to sit for another 5mins before rinsing hair thoroughly.
4. Gently remove excess water with a microfibre towel, using a gentle, scrunching motion. Work quickly to keep hair damp for the next stage, but don't rub hair vigorously!
5. Section & Conquer Divide the hair into smaller sections to make the process easier and prevent re-tangling.
6. Using a Detangling Brush gently work through the hair, using these top tips:
Start from the Ends (Always!) Going straight for the roots and yanking downward? Rookie mistake. Always start with the ends where hair is often the most dry (more prone to tangles), gently loosen any knots and work slowly to avoid yanking and pulling. Next, work your way through the mid-lengths before finishing with a root to tip going-over.
Hold & Glide Hold the hair near the scalp, or in a ponytail with your hand to minimise pulling.
Use Detangling Spray If you need a little extra help for those really stubborn knots, use a good quality Detangling Spray to add slip and ease the process of brushing.
Slow & Steady Wins Rushing through knots is a sure-fire way to get hair breakage and tears. Be patient, work carefully, and keep brushing light and gentle.
Bribery and Distraction Yep, we said it. Do what you gotta do – treats, some screen time – a temporary distraction while you work your magic!
How Do I Stop Hair From Getting Matted?
To help keep hair from becoming matted in the first place is obviously the golden ticket we all want! A few tips to help avoid it:
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – Dry hair = tangled hair. Add good quality products to your routine that have conditioning and nourishing ingredients. Avoid silicones, as they prevent nutrients and natural oils from penetrating the hair shaft, essentially "coating" the hair and leaving it dehydrated over time leading to dry, brittle, tangle-prone hair.
• Brush Hair Regularly – Keep on top of tangles by brushing regularly and use a good quality Detangler Spray to keep hair nourished in between wash cycles.
• Braids before bed – No loose hair in bed = Less chance for hair to tangle.
• Avoid product build-up - If you're using hair products throughout the week, be sure to Shampoo hair thoroughly and regularly (at least twice per week) to avoid product buildup, which prevents hair from absorbing moisture and nutrients, leading to dry strands. Because dry hair is more prone to tangling.
• Avoid harsh chemicals! Sulfates, petrochemicals, soap-based shampoo = Hard pass. Look for gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and other children's hair products that are high quality, pH balanced and made without nasty additives that leave hair dry, brittle and prone to knots.
• Regular trims – Dry, brittle, split ends make things worse. Snip them off before they cause trouble.
The Wrap-Up
Detangling matted hair doesn’t have to be a hair-raising nightmare. With the right approach, the right tools, and a little patience, you can turn daily hair brushing time into a stress-free, bonding ritual (yes, really!). Say goodbye to the hair brush battles and hello to smooth, happy hair every single day.
