Alternative Detangling:

  Two more options for detangling tightly-curled hair




Current curly law dictates that curls should always be detangled wet, while the powers that be in the cosmetic sector have decreed all hair should be combed only when dry. But what if neither method is successful on your tresses? It's a well-kept secret, but there are a couple of alternatives out there which work with your hair's preferences, without wreaking havoc on your hair's internal structure.

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Damp detangling

The main trouble with wet detangling is the strain of pulling at hair which is already weighed down and stretched out by water. It's a shame, because wet hair is usually a lot easier to comb, due to decreased volume and more compliant strands. To get the best of both worlds, try detangling your hair damp. Here's how:

1. Add your usual amount of conditioner to a separate container (do not add water directly into your conditioner; it will upset the balance of preservatives and leave your product vulnerable to spoilage).
   
   
2. Now add about 1/5 of the amount of conditioner in warm water.
   
   
3. Shake or stir the water-conditioner mixture until it blends well. As most conditioners are designed to work with water, this will help simulate those conditions without getting your hair overly wet.
   
   
4. Part the hair into 4-8 sections.
   
   
5. Apply some of the conditioner-water mixture to the hair, one section at a time.
   
   
6. Finger comb it through.
   
   
7. If necessary, leave in a couple of minutes in order for the product to get to all of the hair.
   
   
8. Next, part off smaller sections and begin detangling with a wide-toothed comb or flexible plastic bristle brush from the ends up.
   
   

Low-friction dry detangling

If your hair can't stand any water whatsoever come detangling time, then this version of dry detangling with a difference might be just what you need. The idea here is to lubricate the hair just as a conditioner would when wet, but without getting the hair wet at all. For this, we need a silicone-based serum, as silicones provide some of the best combability, particularly on dry hair. Using this product will eliminate most of the friction that is the biggest problem with detangling on dry hair.

Please note, for those who prefer to avoid silicones, that this method can be tried with oils, but of those tested (olive, rice bran, evening primrose) none produced the combined levels of adsorption to the hair shaft and lubricity that silicone-based products were able to provide. The tested oils did not adhere nicely to the surface of the hair shaft, without being absorbed in, and therefore do not provide the slip needed to aid detangling.

For this method to work, you need to use a serum that is (a) dimethicone-based (this should be the #1 ingredient) and (b) as concentrated as possible. A product with under 5 ingredients should be just up your street. One ingredient that should definitely not be on the list is water (INCI name: aqua) which would totally ruin the point of dry detangling. Also, many natural oils reduce the effectiveness of silicones so select an oil-free formula for this where possible. The product also needs to be fairly viscous but still have good flow. When you pour it onto your fingers it should be gloopy and weighty (about the same thickness as runny honey) but smoother and less sticky. The steps:

1. Part the hair into 4-8 sections.
   
   
2. Next, part off smaller sections and apply the silicone serum to the section generously, smoothing it from root to tip. Make sure the hair is completely coated in the product to minimise drag.
   
   
3. Take your brush or wide-toothed comb and begin working, one small section at a time, from the ends up.
   
   

                                            Happy Detangling!