Waking up to a head full of tangled hair can feel overwhelming. Instead of planning a fun style for the day, you’re left to deal with a frustrating problem. In the face of the issue, you start thinking, why does my hair tangle so easily, and how can I stop it from happening?
Understanding what causes hair tangles can be a game-changer for your beauty routines. After all, preventing tangles is far easier than dealing with the aftermath.
This guide will explore every factor determining why hair tangles easily.
If you still have questions at any point, you can chat with our expert team here at My Haircare & Beauty! We are the premier haircare retailer in Australia, with over 200 professional product brands to fit your goals.
Why Does My Hair Tangle So Easily?
As you stand there staring into your mirror, hair comb in hand, ready to detangle again, it’s fair to start wondering if there’s any end to this problem. Why does my hair tangle so easily, you think to yourself.
The truth is that there is not one singular answer to explain why hair tangles easily. The list of what causes tangles in hair includes everything from low-quality hair products to dryness.
Understanding how every factor contributes to hair tangling allows you to identify suitable products and techniques for ending tangles for good.
Hair Types More Prone to Tangling
Why does my hair tangle so easily? Is my hair just doomed to be forever tangled?
Some hair textures and types are more prone to tangles, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t solutions.
Fine hair is susceptible to tangles. The thinner strands can wrap around each other and cause knots, which is a significant reason why hair tangles easily. A volumising conditioner may help avoid matting.
Longer hair is another answer to what causes hair to tangle easily. Longer hair is older and may have more damage that creates knotting.
Speaking of damage, dry or heat-affected hair is also vulnerable to tangles. The cuticles of the hair are raised, acting like velcro to become entangled with other strands. A quality hydrating conditioner or conditioner for damaged hair is essential for these types. Curly and coily hair is also at risk of tangles, especially when lacking moisture. Every twist and turn is beautiful when properly cared for, but extra upkeep is required to prevent snarls. Learning how to wash curly hair, especially with conditioner for curly hair, will provide additional moisture to avoid entwined strands.
How Damage Causes Hair to Tangle
Why does my hair tangle so easily from damage?
To understand, we’ll need to explore the science of hair. Healthy hair has a natural layer of armour known as the cuticle. Healthy hair cuticles lay smooth and flat, allowing each strand to exist in its own space.
The reason why hair tangles easily when damaged is because of changes in the cuticle itself. Hair goes from smooth to lifted, creating open spots on the cuticle that act as velcro-like hooks. This creates knots at the molecular level, making them tricky to deal with. Repairing damaged hair, such as with a high-quality keratin conditioner, can mitigate some of the risks of matted strands.
Dryness Leads to Tangles, Too
What about moisture? Why does my hair tangle so easily when dry?
As hair dries, it becomes more brittle. The cuticle also rises off the hair, creating opportunities to catch onto nearby pieces. That rigid structure creates friction between strands as they rub up against one another.
From there, those motions are why hair tangles easily when dry. The strands catch and create a frizzy, matted mess.
Environmental Factors: Wind, Sun, and More
Not every factor determining what causes hair to tangle easily has to do with your natural hair. There are external reasons that can also create entwined locks.
Wind doesn’t just throw your hairstyle out of whack–it also causes strands to latch onto one another. Wind will accelerate that process if your underlying hair is already prone to tangles.
Heat damage is not good for tangles, and the sun is a dangerous heat source for your locks. Exposure can dry out your hair, so adding leave in conditioners to your routine is crucial.
Humidity will also play a role, with excessive moisture in the air causing your hair to swell, inflate, and get entangled. Even swimming pools or the ocean can strip your hair of healthy chemicals and leave it dry.
Poor Haircare Habits
Often, what causes hair tangles is simply your haircare routines. Maybe you’re using the wrong everyday conditioner for your hair type, causing dryness or excessive moisture. Perhaps you’re sleeping with wet hair or over-brushing your hair after the shower, which leads to frizz and breakage.
Tight hairstyles can cause breakage or flyways; when your strands break, they’ll cause tangles with your remaining hair. You might even be ignoring common hair issues like dandruff or frizz. This can cause issues easily solvable with a quality anti dandruff conditioner or anti frizz conditioner.
Low-Quality Hair Products
While saving money at the market may be tempting, choosing cheap hair products can cause breakage and tangles.
Often, the reason why hair tangles so easily is one ingredient in a budget shampoo or gel. Researching the different types of shampoo can help you avoid the worst outcomes. Read ingredient lists, avoiding sulphates, silicones, and filler ingredients with dubious reputations. If you dye your hair regularly, make sure you use a conditioner for coloured hair to keep it healthy.
Knowing What Causes Hair Tangles, Here Are Some Tips to Address the Issue…
The list of reasons why hair tangles easily may be long, but thankfully, there are plenty of solutions.
Upgrading Your Conditioner
Dryness and damage are among the primary reasons you experience hair tangles.
Both issues can be managed with a high-quality conditioner. There are both wet and dry conditioners you can incorporate into your routine to eliminate matted locks.
Salon-quality dry hair conditioners from brands like Pureology, Davines, and Redken, among others, can turn brittle locks into silky smooth strands.
Other options exist, such as those for colour-treated hair, like blonde hair conditioner and brunette conditioner. These ensure your hair and scalp remain healthy even after dye, lowering the risk of tangles. Adding products for specific challenges, like hair loss conditioner, anti-dandruff conditioner, or leave-ins for extra moisture, can also be a game-changer for your routine.
Regular Hair Masks and Serums
Introducing hair masks is a reliable way to stave off damage and dryness. They can be used weekly, giving your locks a deep conditioning that stops tangles in their tracks. Similar results can be obtained with hair oil serums, which are specialised for reducing frizz, breakage, and other common tangle-causing issues.
Try to Minimise Heat Styling
Heat helps you achieve amazing styles. But if you aren’t using heat protection for hair or over-ironing your strands, you could damage your hair, causing tangles.
Even the best hair straighteners can run this risk. For example, whichever side of the Muk hair straightener vs ghd debate you’re on, you’ll still need thermal protection products. Alternatively, you can also invest in heatless methods. You can learn how to curl hair with hair rollers and water rather than heat, keeping your strands safe.
Avoiding Tangles While You Sleep
While counting sheep, your hair strands are at risk of bunching up. Sleeping on silk or satin, whether with a pillowcase, scarf, or bonnet, will keep your hair friction-free.
Make sure your hair is completely dry before sleeping. Wet hair can tangle and break, so you may have to adjust your showering schedule. You can also put your hair in a loose braid or bun.
Let Your Hair Air Dry
Remember, heat damage is one of the main reasons why hair tangles easily, and using a hair dryer can cause breakage if you aren’t careful.
Let your hair air dry thoroughly to avoid friction. This is especially important when learning how to style wet curly hair. The gel and creams you use will be able to soak into your hair cuticles and prevent brittleness when air drying.
Routine Trims
Long hair can be more prone to tangles. While you don’t have to start researching short hairstyles, it is critical to get regular trims.
Split ends and damaged strands will be less of an issue with routine upkeep, keeping your hair healthy.
Detangling Hair Safely and Comfortably
We’ve explored what causes hair to tangle easily, but what should you do when encountering matted hair? The answer lies in your products. You can remove tangles without much fuss with the proper types of hair brushes and products.
Preparing Your Hair for Detangling
Go through your standard wash day routine, including shampoo and conditioner. Adding a leave-in or deep conditioner can also break down some matting beforehand.
If you have thicker hair, we recommend using hair clips to section it. Two to six clips will suffice, giving you room to work with without being overwhelmed.
Choosing the Right Tools for Detangling
You’ll also need to gather up tools like hair brushes and combs.
Wide-tooth combs are excellent for gently gliding through hair. You can also use a paddle brush for extra difficult knots.
For curly and coily hair, a detangling brush is ideal. They have flexible, diagonal bristles that sift through wet hair without tugging or pulling on your scalp.
Pairing brushes or combs with a detangling spray, such as the Eleven Detangle Spray or the Kevin Murphy Colour Spray, will help you break down those knots quickly. We must note that while hair straighteners can assist with detangling, you do have to deal with heat damage in the process. Brushes, combs, and a leave-in spray are your best bet for most knots.
Techniques for Gentle Detangling
Once your hair is wet, sectioned, and doused in product, it’s time to pull those knots apart.
All your detangling should start at the end of the hair strand, working towards the root. This prevents the matter hair from migrating towards your scalp.
Hold the hair section with one hand on the root. Work through each knot with the other hand or brush. You can also pinch the knot in your hands and slide downwards to avoid tugging.
For stubborn knots, use your detangling spray. Your fingers will help gently separate the deepest knots, allowing you to use the comb afterwards.
After-Detangling Care
Once your hair is completely detangled, you’ll want to set your hair up for success in the future. Use a leave-in conditioner for extra hydration. By dealing with potential issues from a clean state, you can avoid creating new knots in the future.
Final Thoughts on What Causes Hair to Tangle Easily
Tangled tresses are frustrating to deal with. But when you identify what causes them and work to eliminate those problems, you’ll be well on your way to healthy, smooth hair.
There is a lot to watch out for, between dryness, breakage, and heat damage. The best way to prevent tangles is to use high-quality hair products.
That’s where we come in.
Aussies with beautiful hair know that the best place to find salon-quality products is at My Haircare & Beauty. We carry hundreds of brands with natural, premium ingredients to help you achieve your beauty goals.
From sustainable beauty from Davines Hair Products to the protein-rich offerings of Milkshake Hair Products, you’ll find it all here at our store. Other brands you’ll encounter include:
The best part about shopping with us is that you don’t have to stress about finding the right product. Our friendly team is here to help you achieve your dream beauty outcomes.
We’ll answer every question you have, including finding the best shampoo and conditioner for hair loss, the differences in permanent vs semi-permanent hair colour, the cost to dye hair in Australia, the best products for thinning hair, how to reverse thinning hair, conditioner vs shampoo, and the best shampoo and conditioner for blonde hair.
We also provide speedy shipping across Australia, including same-day delivery to the Melbourne metro, to help you get through that bad hair day as soon as possible.
So don’t let a few tangles ruin your day–browse our online retail store and let us guide you to a peaceful and stress-free haircare routine!
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