How To Detangle 4C Hair

Have you ever dreaded detangling your hair? I have. This is usually the case after leaving my hair in a particular style for a week, or before wearing a wig. Maybe like me, you find it difficult to detangle your 4C hair.

We all know that feeling of struggling to comb our strands. That can be painful and frustrating. However, do you know it does not have to be like that? It can be easy and manageable.

While your 4C hair does not make that sound possible, it is. No matter how tight the coils are, you can make it work.

And here is the best part, you don't have to compromise your texture. There's a way to detangle your 4C curls successfully.

This post has the secret, so check it out.

Steps on How to Detangle 4C Hair

Many tips can help you detangle your hair properly without any pain. But first, let me take you through the steps.

Step 1: Pre Pull Your Hair

The best way to detangle your hair is to do it while you wash it. However, I understand you don’t need to wash your hair every time you detangle, so, start by pulling your hair. Do this with your fingers and be very gentle. You can apply any oil to make it easier.

Start from the roots and move upwards. You will notice that some strands will begin to fall off. Those are shed hair; sincerely, they do not have any business in your hair.

There are many benefits you get from doing this. And one of them is that it helps to remove big knots and tangles in your hair. While it won't get rid of everything, it makes detangling easier.

Do this before sectioning your hair if you find it hard to part it.

Step 2: Divide Your Hair

Now, put your hair into different sections. That makes it easier to detangle without any problem.

Though some people like to section their hair while conditioning, doing it now makes it easier but if you won’t be washing your hair, you must do it now.

Step 3: Wash Your Hair

As I said, you don't have to wash your hair anytime you want to detangle. However, if you are detangling on a wash day, now is the time to enter the shower.

• Start shampooing. But while you wash, be sure not to create more tangles and knots. You can hold the tip of a section while you wash the root and your scalp. This is to prevent it from tangling up and becoming a mess.
• Put that section in a twist and move to another section before doing the same thing.
• Once you're done, rinse and condition your hair. If you like, you can deep condition instead of using a conditioner. Remember that your hair must still be in sections. So, don't mess it up.
• Slowly detangle as you apply the conditioner to your hair. With your fingers, separate the strands that might be tangled together, then twist and go to the next section.

Step 4: Detangle Properly

Did you notice that we've been detangling all this time? Before this stage, we have not used any tool so it might not be evident that we've loosened up some knots, but we have.

However, at this point, it's time to get your wide-tooth comb and detangle in sections. Right now, the conditioner should have penetrated your hair. So, loosen a section and detangle using a comb. As you've done before, hold the root and comb from the tip up to the root. Braid it back and move to detangling the rest of your hair.

Once you're done washing and detangling, rinse out the deep conditioner and let it dry. Note that you don't have to lose the twists.

And that's it!

If you're not washing your hair, use water then a leave-in conditioner to detangle it properly. Check the video in next part.

How To Detangle 4c Hair Without Washing Your Hair?

What is the Best Way to Detangle 4C Hair?

The steps we follow when detangling our hair can vary. For example, I love detangling my hair on days I wash it. This might be different for you. And if it is, that means we will use different steps.

But some general rules can help everyone.

1. Detangle in small sections

You only get to experience pain if you decide to detangle your hair haphazardly. That can make it painful and frustrating. So, instead of doing everything once, work in sections.

Divide your hair into four or more sections. It becomes easier to work with, especially for those with thick hair. You can get those knots out properly this way.

2. Never detangle while it's dry

Don't detangle if your 4c hair is still dry. That's because detangling dry hair will cause more breakage than you anticipated.

While it doesn't have to be very wet, spraying water will go a long way in helping you detangle. Also, you can use your hair oil or conditioning treatment when detangling. If you want to wash your hair afterward, that's even better, as you can detangle it at every stage.

3. Start from the tip and work up to your roots

Unconsciously, you might be drawn to detangling your hair from the root.

Before I knew the proper way to detangle, this is exactly what I used to do. But it caused unbearable pain and breakage. Then, I knew that wasn't the best way to do it.

Once I became aware, it changed everything. And it will be for you. So, move from your ends upwards. You can tackle any knot easily without tugging on your hair.

4. Finger comb first

Your fingers are more gentle on your strands and won't cause a lot of breakage. This might be surprising for you, but that's the fact. They do more work than you imagine, and some people even stick to using only their fingers. You won't also have to rip your hair out with other tools.

Go with this method for the first few steps before using a comb.

5. Detangle in steps

In the previous section, I mentioned the steps to detangle your hair. Follow them.

Detangling bit by bit just helps. You don't have to experience pain or tug on your hair while you comb. Start before you wash, then detangle when washing and conditioning.

6. Take your time

You can't detangle your hair in a few minutes. It takes time, so you have to be patient. Do this gently to remove every knot. If you are in a hurry, it might cause other issues.

While it will take some time, detangling properly will be worth it.

7. Moisturize many times

One of the stars of the day is your moisturizer. It changes the game in seconds, as hydration is important for detangling.

You can use hair oil, shampoo, or conditioner to detangle. However, be sure they do not contain ingredients that leave your hair dry (this is for the shampoo and conditioner).

How to Maintain Your 4C Hair?

1. Regularly Detangle Your Hair

If you detangle your hair more frequently, it won't get extremely tangled and matted.

For me, I stick to detangling at the end of the week. That is when I lose my style and prepare for the coming week. You can implement this as well or stick to what works for you. However, make sure you detangle your hair regularly.

2. Don't Wash with Hot Water

Hot water can strip hair of its natural oil. Using it is bad for 4C hair, so avoid it as much as possible. Lukewarm water is much better, as it won't leave your hair dry. However, those with very oily hair might not face such problems due to the nature of their hair.

3. Use the Right Products

There are different hair types and the product that works for one hair type may not work for another. With 4C hair, it's possible that a highly praised product does not work for you. That is why you must look for products that suit your hair and curl pattern.

Think of the issues you face too. That can help you to select appropriate products for your hair.

Once you've used them over time, you will discover the products that suit your hair.

4. Avoid Using Heat Tools

Heat tools are not your friends. Using them on your 4C hair can cause damage and breakage. This is because your hair is fragile and these tools make it weak.

However, if you must, use your tool at a low temperature and apply a heat protectant to your hair before anything else. You will protect your hair by taking these steps.

It is bad to use it while it is hot. That will cause damage.

Final Words

If your hair becomes tangled while you sleep, I advise you to start wearing a satin or silk bonnet to bed. It can protect your hair from tangling and reduce the work you have to do on your next wash day.  You could also braid or twist it into sections. That way, it is neat, tidy, and won't unravel.

Now that you know how to detangle your 4C hair, I leave you to get the job done.

Do you have any other questions? Let me know below.