Learn How to Prevent Your Natural 4c Hair from Tangling

Have you ever had this happen to your hair?  


 You wake up in the morning and your hair is full of knots, it's a tangled mess that no amount of brushing or combing will solve. Well, if you have type 4c natural hair, then this might be happening to you more often than not. You may not know it, but 4c hair can be notoriously difficult to care for. The low porosity levels and high density of this type of hair make styling a challenge in many cases. This blog will go over how you can prevent your natural 4c hair from tangling so that you don't have to spend hours detangling or use damaging heat tools on your precious locks.

Why does my natural curls tangle?
Type 4C hair is famed for being easily tangled, especially when wet. This happens because the cuticle layers of your strands are so close together that they overlap in a way that causes them to stick to each other and form knots.

How can I prevent my natural curls from tangling?

1. Avoid using a brush or comb on wet hair
The most important thing to remember is that wet hair cannot be combed or brushed. With your hair wet it's not yet possible to get a good grip on your damp locks, and it is far more likely to break brushing or combing than if dry. To avoid tangles, dry your hair completely before you comb or brush. That way, the natural oils in your scalp will help to form a protective coating on the strands so they are less likely to tangle while drying. You can also use an oil like our Peppermint + Sage Hair Butter just after washing and conditioning that'll coat each strand with healthy fats.

2. Use products that are made for 4c hair
Hair products made for women of color with coarser hair textures are designed to help combat the tangles and knots that can occur in a curly, coily head of hair. To minimize tangles, use a conditioner that will coat your strands. This makes it easier for the knots to slide out of each other without damaging the hair in any way. Some of the best products for preventing tangles are gels, which coat hair strands to provide protection from knots and keep moisture in your curls. We highly recommend our Irish + Marshmallow Conditioner which can be whipped into a gel-like consistency. If you're looking for more lightweight products, look again to our Peppermint + Sage Hair Butter just after washing your hair.

3. Keep your natural curl pattern by avoiding heat and chemicals
If you have natural hair, it can be difficult to keep your curl pattern without compromising the quality of your strands. Heat from pressing on flat irons and blow dryers is damaging for all types of curls, but particularly those with tight coils rather than loose ones because they're less versatile in their ability to bounce back after a tough treatment. Any woman who has ever had her hair permed, fried by constant heat styling or chemically straightened knows that the chemicals used in these processes cause extensive damage by breaking down the hair structure so that hair becomes frizzy and unmanageable. To preserve what's left of your natural texture: try steaming instead when possible (this works best for 4c), while avoiding heat tools altogether whenever necessary!

4. Detangle with fingers, not a comb or brush
Fingers are best for finding those tangled knots easier and they allow more space in between each strand of hair to avoid breaking it off as much. It's important to start at the ends of your hair and work your way up in sections. In order for this process to be effective, it is best that you use a small amount of oil in addition to the product such as leave-in conditioner. This will then make it easier on your fingers when detangling because they can glide through without as much tension on the hair.

5. Apply oil to the ends of your hair before bedtime to prevent tangles in the morning
You should have a bed time routine that includes a long-lasting leave in conditioner and oil to help with tangles. You can start by applying Aloe Vera juice or spritzing lightly with our Aloe + Rose Spritz first at the ends of your hair, then make sure you coat it all up from there until you reach near your roots. You should also apply it when doing deep conditioning treatments because they can cause more tangles than normal washings. Just make sure you massage it in well so that all of your hair is covered and then finishing off with a satin scarf around your head to keep it from getting tangled at night.

6. Wear protective styles like buns, twist-outs, and light braids when possible
Preventing tangles in natural 4C hair can be possible by avoiding unnecessarily pulling on your hair during the day. It is important to take off any tangles that you find right away because the more hair is pulled, the more likely it will tangle. When wearing protective styles, make sure they are tight enough so your ends do not rub against each other which can cause them to tangle up with one another. It is good to try different protective styles to see what works best for your hair and its length.

Conclusion
Whether you’re a 4c-haired woman with natural curls or someone who's starting to transition their hair from relaxed to natural, these tips will help you avoid breakage and keep your locks looking healthy. It may seem like it takes more time than using a brush or comb on wet hair, but as long as you're gentle when detangling (not tugging at strands), the extra care is worth it. Here are some of our favorite ways to take better care of your tresses so they can grow stronger and longer in no time!

If none of this makes sense right now, don't worry; we have plenty of blog posts coming soon that explain what each different curl pattern looks like and how best to maintain them. If you need some more detailed advice on how to do this correctly, we offer personalized consultations where our experts can provide individual care instructions just for you! Are these 6 ways helpful? Let us know and let's get started reducing those pesky knots today!