How to Get Rid of Matted Hair Clumps and Prevent Matted Hair

If you have never dealt with matted hair, then consider yourself lucky. There are tons of different reasons for hair to become matted, but dealing with matted hair is often like a crisis. However, it is easiest to handle hair mats when you notice them early on.

People struggling with mats also can feel uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. If you know you have matted hair strands when your hair is severely tangled, and you’re finding it difficult to get rid of matted hair.

Thankfully, there’s no need to panic, we have learned how to untangle matted hair fast through trial or error. But you can consider professional help or you can treat matted hair from the comfort of your own home.

Read the article till the end to find answers to common questions about matted hair, how to get matted hair, and some steps you need to take to prevent future matting disasters.

What is Matted Hair?

Matted hair is entangled; hair strands create distinct clumps. These can become hard clusters of tangled hair. These will look like clumps and can be difficult to remove with comb or brush alone.

If you don’t comb your hair regularly to remove shed strands, then you could end up with a matted appearance.

What Causes Matted Hair?

Honestly, there are a lot of reasons that can cause you to end up with mats in your hair. So, it is important to understand the causes of matted hair, you can treat them well and you can help prevent it from happening in the future.

  • Naturally curly hair: having naturally curly hair prone to matting, many people who have hair with tight curls find strands of their hair and often curl around each other, causing knots that rapidly form into mats.
  • Brittle, thin hair: this is one the largest causes of matted hair is having thin, fine hair that’s relatively brittle. The longer your hair is, the more likely it is to tangle. However, having thin, fine and brittle hair is prone to matting.
  • Long Hair: Long hair is much more likely to mat than short hair. Due to this there is more hair for individual strands to become tangled in. but proper hair care and often brushing can help to reduce the chances of tangles and mats.
  • Not regularly combing your hair: if you don’t comb your hair to remove shed strands, then you could end up with mats and tangles.
  • Processed Hair: when you heavily process your hair it often becomes dryer and more likely to tangles and mats. Processed hair often causes the hair to become dry, making your hair clingy and brittle. However, caring for your hair and giving regular hydration and conditioning reduces the chances of mats and tangles.

Step-By-Step Guide to Get Rid of Matted Hair

Before chopping your hair, know that there’s another way to get rid of matted hair, and you can detangle your hatted hair without losing too many hair strands. Just follow the below damage-free method.

  • Step 1: slightly wet Your Hair: damp your hair by spraying some water. Water can make you detangling easier, but make sure not to wet your hair too much, as it may cause your hair to pull out easily.
  • Step 2: Apply coconut oil: gently apply a generous scoop of coconut oil to your hair. Don’t apply too much coconut oil.
  • Step 3: Saturate: apply a good moisturizing conditioner to your hair, make sure sufficient product is applied to the matted areas to make it easier for individual hairs to move past. The coconut applied earlier will add a good slip to your hair and help the moisturizing conditioner to reach the insides of the hair knots.
  • Step 4: start detangling: Now you can start detangling your hair knots with your fingers. The coconut oil and conditioner will keep you pulling out the hair strands. Be patient and gently loosen up the knots.
  • Step 5: Loosen: Grab a wide-tooth comb and gently begin to loosen strands of hair. Start combing from the tips and work your way up to the roots. This way you will not pull your hair out. It is normal to notice a lot of hair falling out, these are the shed hairs that contributed to the matting in the first place.
  • Step 6: Rinse out your hair: rinse out your hair with cool water and rinsing will keep your strands separated and smooth, and will wash out any remaining product.

How to Prevent Matted Hair

Generally, it is easy to avoid matted hair, just look at your current hair care routine and make the following changes, if needed.

  • Comb your hair everyday: you can comb or brush your hair every day, it will help to improve scalp blood circulation and strengthen your hair roots.
  • Apply oil once a week: once a week, massage your scalp with coconut, argan, or rosehip oils. Apply to your hair strands and leave it for at last 1 hour or even overnight.
  • Use Detangling products: consider using a detangle, conditioner, or both after you wash your hair. It can smooth the surface of individual hairs, reducing the chance of matting.
  • Protect your hair at night: whether it is with a scarf or silk pillowcase, protecting your hair at night is the best way to prevent mats. Also, tie your hair at night while sleeping, this will avoid hair tangling and matting, and also reduce hair fall.
  • Wash your hair regularly: washing your hair everyday can help to clean dirt, sweat, sebum, pollution and also balance scalp pH level and keeps your hair strands shiny. Use a good shampoo to clean the dirt and keep your hair fresh and light.
  • Apply moisturizing: use moisturizer at least once or twice a week if your hair is dry.
  • Use a serum or light oil: apply a light oil such as argon oil, coconut oil, rosehip oil, or serum while your hair is slightly wet. Try to apply to the hair strands and avoid rubbing the strands together, use your fingers to apply the oil or serum.
  • Trim your hair: it is also important to trim your hair every 6 to 8 weeks as split ends can lead to tangling and matting.

FAQs on Matted hair

  • Is Matted Hair Bad?

    The short answer is YES, matted hair is bad and it can lead to head lice, hair loss, dandruff or even scalp infections.

  • What is the Best Detangler for Matted Hair?

    The best detangle tools for matted hair are moisturizing conditioner, oils like coconut, argan oils and a good detangling comb or brush and some patience.

  • Is it Best to Detangle Hair Wet or Dry?

    The best is to detangle your hair when your hair is slightly wet. Spray some water and apply good conditioner to add a slip to your hair. This process will detangle knots easily

Conclusion

Getting rid of matted hair can be painful, and if you have dry, frizzy or textured hair, then detangling matted hair may lead to hair shedding as well. However, with a little hair care and right detangling products, you can get rid of matted hair at home.

But remember to be gentle and patient, and look after your hair. If the above steps don’t work, then speak with a doctor or professional for advice.

Hopefully, you like this article, if you have any questions and suggestions kindly put them in the comment box below 

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