My daughters have a lot of hair, so I have been very interested in learning how to Get Rid of Hair Tangles Plus a Recipe for Hair Detangler. This is one of the parenting tips I am asked about the most.
Get Rid of Hair Tangles Plus a Recipe for Hair Detangler
I counted 7 items under our sink that I bought in the hopes of solving our hair tangling problem. I only use a few on these on a daily basis and the rest collect dust. Some of these products might work great for you but we did not have success with all of them. So here is my guide to getting rid of tangled hair for good.
Below are my main go-to hair detanglers (Original Sprout Miracle Dentangler, Zerran Equilizer Leave in Conditioner, Suave Kids Detangler and a Goody Ouchless Cushion Brush). Read on to find out how we get rid of hair tangles with these products as well as how to make your own hair detangler.
The Zerran Equalizer Conditioner (large green bottle above) is my first line of defense to get rid of hair tangles. It is a leave in conditioner and detangler that I use in my girls' hair before they get out of the bath. A woman at the gym told me about this when she saw me with my girls. She said that she also put some in her daughter's dry hair each day to help more with tangles. I tried that and just felt like the hair was getting weighed down with too much product. So I just use it after I wash their hair. What a difference it makes! We had just been using normal conditioner that you wash out, but it didn't make a difference. Zerran Equalizer can be pricey, but it lasts a long time. You don't need a lot at all.
In my experience, certain hair types are more prone to serious tangles. I happen to have girls who all have different hair types.
Thick & Straight
My youngest has thick, straight hair which tends to resist much tangling. She does get a few small tangles each morning so I use Suave Detangler Spray for Kids which you can find at any super market or drug store for under $3. This or the homemade detangler I will mention later and a good brush are all you really need to tame those tangles. Lucky you!
Thick & Curly
This kind of hair looks overwhelming but if properly managed, it can be easy to maintain. I use the same super market or homemade dentangler and it works fine. If you still have had a hard time with your child's curly hair, follow my advice for Fine and Wavy hair.
Fine & Wavy
In my experience, this is the type of hair that tangles most. Surprised? I was. It used to seem that even after I just combed it, my daughter could shake her head and it would be all tangled again. It was like it had a mind of it's own. I was at my wits end and spending tons of time each morning brushing through this kind of hair.
I now use the Original Sprout Miracle Detangler for the tough tangles. At around $20, it is pricier than what you'd buy at the supermarket, but it really gets rid of hair tangles. When I first got it I was skeptical because of the price, so I tried the cheaper hair detangler on my daughter and when I still couldn't get out certain hair tangles, I sprayed the Miracle Dentangler on it. The brush slid right through the tangles. Amazing! I've been using it daily on my daughter with fine and wavy hair since January 1st, and we haven't even used ¼ of the bottle. A little goes a long way so don't let the price deter you.My daughter's hair before the Miracle Detangler. No brush is getting through there!
When you spray on the Miracle Detangler, it comes out gloppy. It will look like you sneezed on your kid. This is normal. Rub it into the hair with your fingers.
Brush through with your Goody Ouchless brush and check out the results. Is she ready for a shampoo commercial or what?
Get Rid of Hair Tangles Plus a Recipe for Hair Detangler
Of course, if your child doesn't have very bad knots in their hair you can always make your own hair detangler which should get the job done. Get a spray bottle (you can find one for $1 at the dollar store or Target) and add 2 tablespoons of your favorite conditioner.
After you have added the conditioner, fill up the rest of the bottle with warm water and shake it up until the conditioner is totally mixed with the water. That's all it takes. I make sure to shake mine up before each use.
Whether you buy hair detangler or make your own, you will need the right brush and the right brushing technique to effectively remove tangles and make the experience painless for your child. I was using a normal plastic brush on my kids hair for the longest time until someone at the grocery store of all places, recommended I try the Goody Ouchless Cushion Styling Hair Brush. You have to like a brush that has "ouchless" in it's name. The brush doesn't pull or snarl hair like others I have tried.
Okay, so you chose you detangler and brush but you still need to brush your child's hair the right way. My kids never complain or fuss when I brush their hair and I believe it's because of my pain free brushing technique. You want to grab a section of your child's hair and hold it tightly in your hand. Make sure to hold the hair close to the scalp. Then you can brush the remainder of the hair without hurting them if you come across a tangle.
My final tip to get rid of hair tangles is to brush your child's hair every night before they go to bed. This is really a must if your child suffers from tangled hair. The hair will tangle a bit while they sleep, but it will be much harder to comb through in the morning if you don't comb it the night before.
Wishing you less tangles and tears in the mornings.
shandi says
sadly they discontinued the goodie ouchless brush of old... the new one is a poisonous look alike it seems (at least based on reviews and pictures as I haven't personally tried it) and the only old ones available are from 50 to 100$ on amazon or ebay as new old stock. do you have a best second or has your old one stood up good enough to not need a new one? I know this is an older blog but still hopeful of a reply 🙂
Hanna says
Tangles are a pain, My hair is more prone to getting tangles which I hate so I buy some extra stuff to help with it.
Rebekah says
Dear white people:
Please...PLEASE stop calling straight hair "curly." I don't think you truly understand the definition of curly, but that is nowhere even close to resembling any kind of curl. That is BARELY wavy. When I google things regarding "curly hair," I expect to see ACTUAL curly hair...not this.
Julie says
My GRANDAUGHTER is not mixed ,but has ethnic hair ! It's kinky curly ,huge big balls of knots ! I need help to somehow get them out! I've tried everything ! Her scalp is very sensitive ! Just want her to feel as beautiful as she is to Me!
Frustrated mom says
Hate this brush! My daughters hair is SO tangled every single day that when I use it it literally just skips over the knots! Sure the top layer looks great but try to rin your fingers through my daughters hair and you quickly realize its still a nasty snarled mess! I always end up having to go grab my hair brush and still regardless of the sheer amount of any type of detangler im having to rip her hair out to brush it. I'm one hair brushing away from chopping it all off.
Vicky says
Sorry to hear it hasn't worked for you. I know that all hair is different and maybe the hair that my kids have responds better to the brush. I know how frustrating tangles can be. Good luck.
Tanglefree says
You can use one of the oldest remedies for tangles. Massage your scalp and hair with coconut oil. Detangle with your fingers. Wash 30 mins later. Do this once a week. A 1$ bottle lasts around 6 months. You won't need conditioner when you do this. This is the secret behind Indian women's tresses.
M says
We have had good luck with using a wet to dry detangle brush in the shower to help with rinsing out the conditioner. She just keeps brushing until the conditioner is all rinsed and then comes out with tangle free hair. I'm interested in trying the detangler you mentioned though... Thanks!
Cheryl says
I started growing my hair out a few years back from a short haircut, just above my shoulders and now it reaches to my elbows. One thing my husband told me was never to brush my hair when it is wet. I now use a wide tooth comb and I start from the ends and work my way up to the roots. I spray my roots with an Argan oil mix after each time I wash. I use a shampoo that is free of Euphrates and parabans as they strip your natural oils, leaving hair dry. I rarely use a brush anymore, most of the time I just use a wide tooth comb, there really isn't any reason to use a brush at all. Another thing that makes a bid difference is regular trims. I have my husband trim my ends to remove the splits and keep my hemline neat every six to eight week, quarter inch or less. He sections it, and trims the tips on each successive layer so the layers underneath get the splits removed too, not just the top layer with a straight across the back trim. It makes the comb glide through my hair easier. At night I braid my hair and I have my husband braid my hair before work as it keeps it out of my face and I don't need to fuss with it. I carry a wide tooth comb in my purse not a brush. My niece who has very fine hair, was at the pool with us and she wrapped a towel around her head after she got out. Later it took a good amount of conditioner and using a wide tooth comb starting at the ends to get it untangled.
Brooke says
Thanks for the tips! In addition, I always recommend a satin or sateen type pillow case! These can be pricey but with a trip to the clearance section of your local fabric store and basic straight-line sewing skills, you can have multiple soft cases that soften hair overnight. ?
Vicky says
What a great idea, Brooklyn! Thank you!
Kristy says
I'm missing something...where is the recipe/info on the homemade detangler in this article? Also which is the best for fine and wavy? I've read this article several times and I don't see this info.
Thank you so much! From a mom at her wits end with tangles and frizzy flyaways! 🙂
Vicky says
Fixed, thanks for pointing that out!
Kristy says
Thank you so much for responding! Also glad to help and to know that I'm not losing my mind (totally)!