How To Detangle Extremely Matted Hair At Home - Byrdie

If you have long hair, you've likely experienced your fair share of knots and tangles. In most cases, a hairbrush and some conditioner are all you need for detangling. However, if you’re having difficulty combing through your hair or running your fingers through it—you may be experiencing matted hair. It can occur after taking off a weave, from product build-up, or due to a lack of detangling over a long period of time.

Before you start panicking, know that there are ways to detangle matted hair that don’t require cutting or enlisting the help of a professional. We’ve reached out to trichologists, Shab Caspara and Bridgette Hill, for advice on how to safely detangle matted hair. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on how to detangle matted hair at home, as well as ways to prevent it from recurring.

Meet the Experts

• Shab Caspara is a certified trichologist and hair growth expert based in New York City. She is the founder of Leona.co.
• Bridgette Hill is a certified trichologist, hair stylist and colorist. She is the founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis.

What Is Matted Hair?

Matted hair forms when strands (both attached and those that have been shed) twist together to form clumps. Matted hair is similar to traditional knots and tangles, except worse. While everyday knots can easily be detangled, mats can be difficult to remove with a brush or comb alone. 

Hill describes matted hair as “hair fibers that become intertwined around each other in a tight interlocking pattern that becomes fused together, creating a cluster or clusters of an unorganized mass of hair fibers.” Those with dry hair and textured hair types—such as curly and coily hair—are more prone to matted hair but it can happen to anyone.

What Causes Matted Hair?

Matted hair can form due to a variety of factors. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Product buildup. The number one cause of hair matting is product buildup, according to Reslan. It can be due to certain styling products, shampoo that was not thoroughly rinsed out, conditioner or hair masks left for an extended period of time, and so on. Over time, buildup can cause hair to dull and creates coated strands that tangle easily from friction.
• Lack of detangling. Hair can also become matted from a lack of hair brushing, combing, and other detangling methods, Hill says. When tangled, hair fibers tend to loose moisture and may have a tendency to intertwine and eventually lead to mats.
• Other potential causes include improper use of hair accessories or hair ties, long stints without trims, a failure to protect hair overnight or dry hair after coloring or bleaching.

Who can get matted hair?

Anyone with hair can get matted hair. That being said, those who have dry hair and those who have textured hair are more prone to mats.

How to Detangle Matted Hair

There are ways to detangle matted hair. You won't necessarily need to cut it off—this should be your last resort. Hill says patience is key. Take your time and make sure you use the right tools and products.

Tools and Products You Will Need

• A wide-tooth comb
• A detangling brush, such as Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
• A pin-curl or rat-tail comb
• A detangling primer such as Hill's pick, Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer
• A detangling spray such as Hill's pick, R&C Pinstripe Intense Detangling Spray
• Hair oil such as Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
• Moisturizing conditioner or treatment

Byrdie Tip

Keep in mind that it is normal to see some hair shedding during the detangling process. Mats often consist of hair you’ve already shed.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Once you’ve gathered your tools and product, you’re ready to begin the detangling process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Saturate the entire matted clump with detangling spray. Use your fingers to disperse the product throughout the mass of hair as much as you can.
• Using your fingers, start to gently loosen up hair fibers.
• Apply hair oil to the hair for additional slip. Using a wide-tooth comb, gently rake through the hair as you separate strands from one another.
• Isolate any loose strands. Start detangling with a brush from the bottom of the hair and gently move up towards the matted area.
• Alternate between using the detangling brush, wide tooth comb, and rat-tail comb as needed and based on their effectiveness in loosening the tangles in the matted area.
• As hair becomes isolated from the mass, use the wide-tooth comb to remove any loose hairs in the mat. Add conditioner to those ends for extra moisture and protection. Proceed with the above steps until the mat is fully removed.

If the Above Doesn't Work

In extreme cases, Hill suggests first adding hair oil and saturating the matted clump using your fingers. Start in the middle of the mat and try to loosen and widen it to find some loose ends of hair to work with. Hill says that using the tail end of a pin-curl comb can be especially helpful in this case as it will create space to work through the mat. Afterwards, proceed with the steps mentioned above.

When to Cut Matted Hair

If you’re unable to get a comb (or even the tail of a comb) into the mat, cutting may be your only option. Alternatively, if you find yourself tugging on hair fibers and creating tension, it may also be time to cut the mat.

If you haven't detangled your hair in weeks or months, cutting may also be your best option. It is likely to take several hours to fully detangle mats. It all depends on your levels of patience and the density of the mat.

How to Prevent Matted Hair

After successfully detangling matted hair, you may want to know how to avoid it from happening again. Scalp and hair care is key, according to Hill. Here are some habits to keep in mind:

• Make sure you use accessories designed to prevent tangles and snags.
• Schedule regular haircuts.
• Keep your ends moisturized by regularly applying a serum or a leave-in treatment.
• If you have long hair or if it is prone to tangles, consider protecting it at night using a silk pillowcase, a scarf or a bonnet.
• Be mindful of hairspray and backcombing as they may create tangles and potential matting of the hair.
• Make sure to thoroughly detangle your hair after each wash.

The Final Takeaway

Matted hair can be difficult to manage—even with the right tools and techniques. Know that mats can occur and that patience and moisture are key to restoring your strands to their pre-mat state. And if it does come to cutting...your hair will grow back.