How To Get Bad Knots Out Of Hair

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Did you wake up to find a great big knot in your hair? Or maybe you went for a ride in a convertible, or spent the day riding roller coasters at an amusement park, and now your hair is a tangled mess? No matter how you got that knot, you know one thing: you want it out! With the right tools and a lot of patience, you can work through the toughest knot.

1
Calm yourself and make sure you have time to devote to detangling. Trying to rush through the process will likely worsen the knot and leave you angry and frustrated. Working out a knot can take time and a lot of patience, and you should go into the process as calmly as possible. Take a few deep breaths, put on some enjoyable music, and get to work.
- If you have a friend, sibling, or parent willing to help, you can speed up the process. And if the knot is somewhere that is difficult to reach, they may be necessary.^[1]
- Remember to take breaks. You may need to stop and rest your arms.
- If you don't have time to deal with the knot, pull your hair into a bun and wait until you have enough time to dedicate to working it out.^[2]
2
Gather your materials. When trying to unknot hair, your tools can make all the difference. You absolutely want to use a detangler, conditioner, or other lubricant (like coconut oil). Don't use a brush, as this can lead to more knotting. Instead, find a sturdy medium- or wide-toothed comb. Set up a chair in front of a mirror--you'll want to be sitting, since it may take a while.
- There's an abundance of detangling products for curly-haired people. Look for sprays to use after the shower, plus rinses and shampoos that can help when you wash your hair.
- Look for gentle, no-tears versions for kids or very fine hair.
- If your hair is dry and damaged, look for a product that moisturizes as it detangles.
- You can also use a silicone-based de-frizzing gel to work out tangles.^[3]
- Make your own spray by mixing conditioner and water in a clean, empty spray bottle.
3
Decide if you're going to work on the knot before or after showering. Many experts recommend detangling right after you shower, but it depends on how healthy your hair is to begin with. Wet hair is stretchy and elastic, but also extremely fragile, so it will break very easily.^[4] However, damp hair can add lubrication, which can assist in loosening the knot. If your hair is very damaged or fragile, begin with dry hair.^[5]
- The spray or conditioner will add lubrication and "slip" to dry hair, which is often sufficient for working out a knot.
- Some experts recommend detangling right before you shower, so you can easily work shampoo and conditioner through your hair and comb it out afterwards.^[6]

1
Divide your hair to isolate the knot. Use plastic hair clamps or clips to separate your hair. Try to clip back all the hair that is not already part of the knot so it doesn't end up in the mess. The knot should be free from the clips with everything else pulled out of the way.
- If you have a ton of tangles, it will be much easier for you to work in sections.^[7] Try dividing your hair into about six sections and work on them one at a time.
- If you're working through all your hair, make sure you separate the finished sections from those that are still knotted. You may want to braid the finished section so it doesn't tangle again.^[8]
2
Spray the section of hair with your detangler. Apply the product and allow it to sit for several minutes so it can soak into your hair. Follow the instructions on the bottle of product, but know it's okay to be generous. The more slip and lubrication, the easier it will be to undo the knot.
- If you're using oil or gel, rub a little into the knot with your fingertips.
3
Finger-comb your hands through the knot. Begin close to the bottom of your hair and gently slide your fingers through the lock. If you encounter a knot, don't tug, just skip over it and continue combing down to the end of your hair.^[9] Slowly move up the length of your hair, gently pulling the strands apart. You'll be surprised how far you can get de-tangling using this method.^[10]
- Feeling the knot with your hands can give you a better idea of what you're working against, like the size and how tightly the strands are knotted.^[11]
- Finger-combing will also help distribute your detangling product through your hair.^[12]
4
Comb the very bottom of the knot. You always want to start at the bottom of the knot. Pulling above the knot will only make it tighter.^[13] ^[14] Gently pull the wide-toothed comb from the bottom of the knot to the end of your hair. If you can't get it through without hitting a snag, move even closer to the end of your hair.^[15]
- Be very, very gentle when combing through the knot. If you tug and break your hair, those damaged and broken strands will only create future tangles.^[16]
- If you can't get the comb through the knot, try applying more product.
- Remember to take breaks if you get tired or frustrated. This process may take quite a while.
5
Work your way up the section of hair, through the knot. When you are able to comb easily through your hair, move up the strand a little and gently pull the comb downwards, applying product as needed.^[17]
- Make sure you are holding your hair firmly with your free hand, near the root. This will make the tugging less painful and can help prevent breakage.^[18]
- If you can't move the comb smoothly through your hair without hitting snags or tearing your hair, move upwards in smaller increments.^[19]
6
Remove tiny knots with your fingers if possible. Even when you've successfully removed the knot from your hair, you may find a few tiny knots that are extremely tight. Try loosening these knots by pulling a few strands just above the knot and see if they slide through. If they won't budge, stop and try a different strand of hair.^[20]
- If you have removed some hair from the tiny knot but it still won't undo, use a pair of hair scissors to snip them off just above the top of the knot. Never rip the knot out with a comb.^[21]

1
Braid or pineapple your hair before going to sleep. Gently gathering your hair in a braid or pineapple updo will keep you from sleeping directly on top of it, decreasing friction. You can also try a sleeping bonnet, satin or silk pillow case or a hair net to keep your hair tangle-free at night.^[22]
- Use soft hair ties, not rubber bands, to pull your hair back.
- Remove any bobby pins you may have used to style your hair.
2
Trim your hair regularly. Many women can't stand to give up even a centimeter of their hard-earned hair length, but avoiding haircuts leads to dead, dry hair and split ends that cause tangles.^[23] At the very least, you should get your hair trimmed every three months, and tell your stylist you want the dead hair removed.^[24]
- Split ends can travel up the hair shaft, damaging living hair and causing major tangles.^[25]
- As much as you may love every inch of your hair, dry, dead hair really doesn't look very good. Remember that your hair will continue to grow, and it will look healthier and stronger if you get a minor cut every season.^[26]
3

Wash your hair like you're in a shampoo commercial. Don't pile your hair on top of your head and scrub like crazy. Picture the way women shampoo their hair in commercials: focus on the scalp, massaging with your fingers, and allow the product to rinse through your hair.^[27]
4
Avoid necklaces with fine chains and shirts with collars if you have long hair. Very long hair is prone to tangling, and can easily snag on the fine chain of a delicate necklace or an elaborate collar on your blouse. If you don't want to give up your necklaces, make sure the chain stays under the collar of your shirt, and try not to wear more than one.^[28]
- Check necklaces and collars often to make sure they aren't catching your hair and forming a knot.^[29]

Add New Question

Question

Why do I always get knots in my hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d'Elite Salon and Corps d'Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of "50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don't...)".

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Make sure you're taking preventative measures. Prior to shampooing, brush or comb your hair with a large-tooth comb. After shampooing, use the right conditioner for your hair type and texture and let it process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Rinse the conditioner with cool water and towel dry your hair.
Question

What if I always keep my hair in a bun?

Try brushing out the knots from your hair before you go to bed and put your bun on top of your head to avoid more knots. Use leave in conditioner to avoid knots during the day.
Question

What is the best type of brush for this?

A wide tooth comb would be the best. If that doesn't work, use a thinner one.
Question

How do I remove knots that are all the way on the top of my head?

Add a small amount of oil to the knot and slowly try to work it out by gently brushing at the bottom of the knot with a small, fine comb.
Question

How often should I wash my hair if it's very dry?

Don't use shampoo every time you wash your hair (try every other time). When you're not using shampoo, use conditioner.
Question

What if one has knots toward the top of the head and middle of the hair -- how does one attempt to get them out?

Brush your hair, starting from the bottom then to the middle and then top, then brush your hair thoroughly to make sure there are no knots.
Question

How do I remove a knot that is really big in a very little amount of time?

Just keep combing. If you do not have enough time, just put a bobby pin on it.
Question

How do I get rid of huge lightly woven knots in my hair?

Brush them out or try to remove them using your fingers. If you get them often, find a nice conditioning product to help you.
Question

What if your hair is too short to put it in a braid or a pineapple at night?

Put it in a clip that you are comfortable sleeping with.
Question

If my whole head is in one big knot, what do I do?

Spread olive oil throughout all your hair, keep it in for an hour. Get all hair on your right shoulder, start with the small knots, and move the hair that doesn't have any knots to the left side. Right after you are done, braid your hair and leave that braid for a whole day. A day later, wash the oil out.

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If your hair has a big tangled knot, use hair straighteners on the knot, then comb it.
Try brushing your hair in the bathtub while it is slightly damp and has conditioner in it.
Wear your hair in a ponytail or a braid during the day to keep your hair from getting tangled.
If your hair tangles because of a thick curl you may need to flat iron your hair and try to sleep with straight hair when you can.
Realize that you may need to cut your hair, but not all of it! Don't freak out. You may (depending on where the knot is) be able to cut out the knot and it won't even be noticeable. Remember, it does grow back!!
Try going into the shower and after putting shampoo on put conditioner on your hair and then put it in a bun and let it sit in for 5 minutes or more depending on how big the knot is. Once your hair has been in a bun for a couple of minutes brush your hair out with comb and wash the conditioner out.
Curling brushes are notorious for causing serious hair knots. Instead, use tools that are better for your particular type of hair and your hair styling skill level.

Avoid brushing your hair when it is completely wet, because it is more likely to break.
Brush slowly because if you brush fast it will hurt and make the knot worse.

Things You'll Need

Wide tooth comb
Hair clips
Conditioner or detangler
Scissors

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To undo a knot in your hair, isolate the knot and clip the rest of your hair back. Spray the knot and the surrounding hair generously with detangler and give it a few minutes to penetrate. Next, finger-comb the knot a few times to release any loose hair. Then, using a wide-tooth comb, comb from the bottom of the knot to the end of your hair. Work your way slowly up the knot until you loosen the hair completely! For tips on preventing knots, read on!

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