What Is a Hair Detangler?

A Hair detangler is a conditioner that alters the surface of your hair by coating it with a polymer, known as a substance composed of a number of smaller, identical molecules, or oil.

Hair detanglers also work to acidify the hair, causing the scales on the outer surface of the hair to become smooth. When using products for detangling hair, static is prevented by the emission of a positive electric charge. Hair detangler also provides the added bonus of heat protection from hot hair tools.

Trying top-rated detanglers for natural hair! by TheChicNatural

What is a Hair Detangler Made Of?

Most hair detanglers are a variation of five different main ingredients:

1. Hydrolyzed Protein helps restore keratin. The hair’s jagged edges become smoother, making it difficult for them to stick together.
2. Cationic Surfactants: The keratin, restored with a positive charge, binds with Cationic Surfactants, which hold a negative charge. This replaces the surface of the hair, finishing the smoothing process.
3. Silicone: Hair detangling products are also made up of silicone. A couple of examples include Cyclomethicone and dimethicone, responsible for making your hair glossy.
4. Acidifier: Hair detanglers include an acidifier. This ingredient is responsible for lowering the PH of the detangler and making the hydrogen bonds between keratin molecules stronger.
5. Oils: Hair detanglers consist of oils, which hydrate dry hair by filling the pores in. This process makes your hair soft and gives it body and volume.

When your hair becomes tangled, it is susceptible to debris and dirt. Not only do hair detangling products assist with keeping your hair from being unmanageable, but they also help with keeping your hair clean.

A hair detangler serves as a leave-in conditioner, packed with an assortment of different oils, such as sacha inchi seed, rosemary leaf, Shea butter, and marula for your hair hydration. It helps to nourish your hair after the conditioner has worn off. Hair detanglers are also notorious for making your hair smoother.

Your hair shaft won’t allow friction to happen when using a hair detangler. Your hair will also have the tendency to hold onto its shine and natural flow.

How Do I Use A Hair Detangler?

While hair types 1 and 2, which vary from bone straight to slight waves, might only require a hair detangler every now and again, maintenance for hair types 3 and 4 becomes easier when using hair detangler regularly. Applying and using the product correctly is of great importance as well.

When detangling your hair, make sure that you start from the ends of your hair. Slowly work your way up, working the product through your hair. Keep in mind that the creamier the hair detangling product is, the better. You want the product to have a slippery texture.

Make sure that you do not detangle your hair using a fine-toothed comb. Your hair may rip and become uneven. Instead, when using a hair detangler, use your fingers, a brush, or a wide-toothed comb. Do not try to detangle your hair if you are in a hurry.

You have to be patient to keep from damaging your hair. Work with small sections at a time. Also, never try to detangle your hair without using some sort of hair detangling product. If you don’t have hair detangler available, use water in case of emergencies to help with the process.

Hair Detangler vs. Hair Conditioner

There are hair products with similar properties of hair detanglers. Because of this, many often confuse products or assume that a product is doing something that it does not do. For example, while hair detanglers work to smooth your hair’s surface and reduce friction, leave-in conditioners, rich in proteins, fortify your hair with humectants and vitamins. Even though your hair becomes easier to manage with the use of it, the leave-in conditioner does not serve the same purpose as a hair detangler.

Detangling Your Hair A Nightmare? Not With These Products

There is a variety of hair detanglers for all different natural hair types to choose from.

Pantene’s Pro-V Moisturizing Mist Detangler

Someone who has 3A hair and may be struggling with dryness and split ends might want to try Pantene’s Pro-V Moisturizing Mist Detangler. This particular hair detangler comes in spray form and is rich in castor oil, which aids in hair growth.

Pantene’s Pro-V Moisturizing Mist Detangler

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Oyin Handmade Oh My Glide Detangling Spray

On the contrary, if you have 4C hair that has problematic tangles, Oyin Handmade Oh My Glide Detangling Spray might be a better fit for you. Containing avocado, sweet orange, and sunflower seed oil, this hair detangler helps to moisturize even the driest of hair. The spray has extra slip, perfect for detangling stubborn hair.

Oyin Handmade Oh My Glide Detangling Spray

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Aunt Jackie’s Curls + Coils Knot On My Watch

For a hair detangler to assist with hair that has not been detangled for a while, try Aunt Jackie’s Curls + Coils Knot On My Watch. This particular product works well with all natural hair types, causing softness and eliminating knots and tangles.

Aunt Jackie’s Curls + Coils Knot On My Watch

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DIY Hair Detangler

Four DIY natural detanglers and leave in recipes

If you are still unsure of what brand of hair detangler you want to try first, you can always DIY (do it yourself) and make your own product.

There are different effective recipes for DIY hair detangler, but most of them consist of the same main ingredients. For example, to make your own hair detangler, one recipe calls for your favorite conditioner, coconut milk, tea tree oil, lavender oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.

Just like the hair detangling products in stores, this recipe has its base, acid, and oils. As long as you have those three key components, you can play with the DIY recipe and make it your own.

Another successful DIY hair detangler formula consists of:

• 1 ½ cups of water
• 3 tablespoons of marshmallow root
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoon of jojoba oil or olive oil
• 30 drops of essential oil (optional)

Some prefer to make DIY hair detangler instead because this gives you the option to remove ingredients that you are not a fan of. For example, instead of using an ingredient with silicone, which makes the hair look shiny and healthy but actually blocks the hair shaft from receiving moisture, you may opt for an ingredient rich in mucilage, hence the marshmallow root.

Using hair detangler can be an easy and painless process for even those of us with the most stubborn hair. Combining the right products and figuring out your hair type will help you avoid a headache and breathe life back into your hair.

Whether deciding to DIY and make your own hair detangler or making a quick trip to your favorite beauty supply store to choose a trustworthy brand, hair detangler will help you have a stress-free natural hair journey in the long run.