How To Detangle Hair: 8 Expert Tips For Every Hair Type  

So next time you go to rid your hair of tangles and knots, remember the below. It just might save you a headache and a few strands: 

Perhaps it sounds like an obvious tip, but to detangle your hair—use a detangler. (Detanglers can range from liquid-light sprays to creamier leave-ins; no, they don't have to be marketed as "detanglers" to perform this duty.) These coat the hair with a light, hydrating layer that not only provides nutrients and emollients but offers a loosening slip and protective film so you're less likely to rough up the cuticle or cause damage while brushing. 

Not all hairbrushes are created equally or for the same purpose! You shouldn't treat them as a monolith. Detangling is a prime example of this, as there are very specific brushes that you should reach for in order to get the job done. Here are some of our favorite hairbrush types:

You may have to saturate it with an extra spritz of detangler (or more globs of conditioner, if you detangle in-shower), but keep massaging with your fingers until the knot smooths out. 

A tip you might've heard a time or two, but worth repeating for those in the back: Never brush root to tip—or at the very least, never detangle root to tip. Start slow and steady at the bottom, working your way up the shaft and working out snags as you go. Starting at the root and moving downward in one swoop is a recipe for pulling and breakage. 

But you can also use silk scrunchies and scarves during the day to style your hair, which will ideally leave you with less knotting and mess than traditional hair ties or accessories might. 

But for those with curls? We're better off doing our detangling in the shower with loads of conditioner. "Never dry brush your ringlets. Cleanse scalp and hair in warm water to remove dirt, sweat, and product buildup, then rinse, then apply conditioner," says Branch. "Use a nourishing conditioner to gently detangle hair. Practice patience, be kind to your hair, and use your fingers and/or a wide-toothed comb."

This is a simple tip about daily maintenance. Hair hydrators can strengthen hair with emollients, nutrients, fortifiers, and vitamins—making the hair more manageable and resilient. Plus, they often help seal the cuticle shut, which will keep the hair from snagging on one another in the first place. Finally, hydrated hair is less brittle: So even if it does tangle, it won't snap off as easily if you go to brush it out. 

Damage begets damage. When your strands and ends are tattered and split, it's more prone to snag and tangle around the other hairs. "I always recommend to my guests a minimum of at least four haircuts a year or quarterly in the year to simplify. Trims are important because they will keep split ends from creeping up the hair shaft and damaging the hair even more," says hairstylist Jenni Nguyen, owner of Prep & Foxx in Philadelphia.