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Never dry. Ends first.
Detangling dry or tangled hair
How do I detangle my child's hair without the tears?
Never comb it dry. Spray, split it into 4 sections, coat each until slippery and start at the ends.
Written by Courtney, founder and licensed esthetician. Facts sourced from the AAD and the International Journal of Trichology. Your pediatrician leads.
- Spray until the comb glides
- Four sections, more if thick
- Start at the ends, inch by inch
To detangle a toddler's curly hair without tears, Cristina's Curls' routine is Nourish + Grow Conditioning Detangler on wet hair until each of four sections feels slippery, then a wide-tooth comb from the ends up, adding water before force.
Watch Courtney answer it· 0:42
Read the transcript
Trying to detangle without tears? Here's what you can do to help with that.First, never detangle dry hair. Start on wet hair and apply enough product that the sections feel slippery.Then section it. Four sections minimum and more if the hair is thicker or longer.Start at the ends and work your way up. Hold the hair above where you're combing so you're not pulling at the scalp.If the comb is not gliding through the hair with ease, add more water, not more force.
Your kit
5 products, in order
- Spray Nourish + Grow Conditioning Detangler Spray · $26
- Big knots Nourish + Grow Leave In Treatment · $27
- Comb Detangling Wide Tooth Comb · $10
- Finish Nourish + Grow Hair Moisturizing Cream · $27
- Babies, fine hair Nourishing Baby Detangler Spray · $25
How much detangler is enough?
- Until slippery water, then spray, per section
- 4 sections minimum, more if thick
- Ends first then up, an inch at a time
How soon does combing get easier?
Red, sore or broken scalp? Stop and call your pediatrician.
- Easier combing is the first thing you'll notice, often within the first few washes.
- Comb dragging? Water first, then more product, smaller sections. If it hurts, stop.
- A satin pillowcase cuts the rubbing that makes new tangles.
When to stop
If the scalp is red, sore or broken, stop the routine and check with your pediatrician.
What do I need for detangling?
- Spray Nourish + Grow Conditioning Detangler Spray · $26
- Big knots Nourish + Grow Leave In Treatment · $27
- Comb Detangling Wide Tooth Comb · $10
- Finish Nourish + Grow Hair Moisturizing Cream · $27
- Babies, fine hair Nourishing Baby Detangler Spray · $25
Hair and skin care, not medicine. Your pediatrician leads.
What else do parents ask about detangling?
How often should I detangle?
On wash days, and before any style. Light finger-detangling between washes keeps knots small.
What kind of comb is best for curly kids?
A wide-tooth comb, after you've worked out the big knots with your fingers.
Can I detangle dry hair if I'm in a hurry?
Mist it first. Even a quick spray of detangler or water is better than combing dry.
Good to know
Coily hair combs easier wet than dry.
That's the reverse of straight hair, and it's why you never comb it dry.Int J Trichology
Conditioning in the bath? Comb before you rinse.
For thick curly hair the AAD says to comb while the conditioner is still in, ends first, then up.AAD
Wet hair stretches about 30% before it's damaged.
If a section is stretching instead of sliding, you're past slip and into breakage. Stop and add water.Int J Trichology
Why does detangling turn into tears?
Why detangling turns into tears
It's almost always dry hair and a comb starting at the root. Dry curls snag on each other, and pulling from the top drags every knot down toward the scalp. Wet the hair, add slip, start at the bottom and hold above the knot, and most of the pulling stops.
Fingers first, then a comb
Pick out the big knots with your fingers. Then use a wide-tooth comb for the rest. Skip fine-tooth combs and brushes on curly hair until it's fully detangled.
How to use leave-in conditioner
Before you comb, work a little into any big knot with your fingers. After detangling, a small amount through the ends keeps them soft. Too much leaves hair heavy and greasy at the roots.
Making it easier on both of you
Same order, same place, every time. A show, a song or a snack helps. Detangle in the bath with conditioner in if your child hates sitting still afterward.
Sources: AAD, International Journal of Trichology.
Parents also read
Your pediatrician leads. Under six months, or anything red, spreading, weeping or painful: call them before you try anything here.