Many naturalistas start off their hair journeys by cutting off their relaxed strands. As they rock their TWAs with pride, many begin to crave length shortly after and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Natural hair bloggers, the web over, are proving coily hair can grow just as long as any other hair texture.

One of my biggest secrets to my long, Type 4 hair is simply focusing on the basics: moisturizing, sealing, and protective styling. However, I know that for many Type 4 naturals, this process involves an understated fourth aspect: detangling. Detangling is the process of gently separating the strands to remove any knots and shed hair. Since our strands tend to form very intricate tangles and knots, this process for many naturals is easier said than done. However, in order to retain length, it is important that we learn to embrace and manage them. Here are six essential detangling tips that I have picked up along my four-year journey:

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The natural hair community is chock full of information of all kinds. From co-washing to deep conditioning and sealing, there are many different tips and tricks that are shared by some of our favorite natural hair gurus. One of the most discussed topics by far is definitely the different methods of detangling and whether it’s more effective when done either before or after shampooing the hair.

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Washday blues…ugh! They will have you cursing for sure. We love our curls, coils, and waves but sometimes we get tired of the extra work many of us face during washday. I used to dread washday but now I have gotten my washday down to a science by planning ahead. This is a necessary component of healthy hair, so I put on my big girl panties and do what I gotta do!

Let’s not even pretend you do not understand what I am saying. You, yes you are the biggest culprit for your tangled washdays. I am calling you out (myself included), because we can make them easier if we take the time to ensure they run smoother. Here are a few ways to avoid tangles and simplify your washday.

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Sometimes something as simple as skipping a wash can knot up your hair like ropes on a sail. It’s not the greatest situation, especially if you want that healthy sheen. Knots can drag you down, but there are plenty of ways to defeat these hairy foes. With a little patience and a bit of time, detagling those nasty hair knots is as easy as ABC.

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Hair care is a world full of choices. Your curlfriends are always suggesting new products to try. We all love getting good advice. Sometimes, hair care really just comes down to finding what you like, what works for your curls, and then sticking with it. For some curlies, brushing leads to a frizzy hot mess. For others, brushing is less upsetting. The decision of how often to brush your hair is a personal decision every woman has the right to make for herself. Part of the battle against the brush is to know the best combs and brushes for natural hair. Detangle your beautiful strands with the right equipment, ladies!

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Detangling
For many of us, it might as well be a four letter word. Some of us avoid it until our hair is on the brink of disaster, while others may do some form of it a few times a week or even daily. We all know the dangers of pushing detangling sessions too far back -- from breakage and matting to cutting out clumps of knots. But what about detangling too frequently? Is there a such thing as doing too much detangling?

There's an old adage that says, too much of anything is bad for you. By and large, that tends to be true. Detangling is great for releasing shed hairs, making the removal of buildup easier, and not to mention, it is the cornerstone of every fabulous natural hair style. But when done too often, detangling can lead to the following:

A thorough hair care routine can seem exhausting when you are in hurry. With so many of us running short on time and trying to find ways to multitask, performing two tasks at once may seem like a good idea.

No matter how much you love your curls, you probably don’t love detangling them. No matter your curl type, there is a risk of causing breakage or hurting your scalp or just taking too dang long. However, if you have the right products and patience, detangling becomes a breeze! Whether you detangle before you shampoo, while you’re conditioning, or as part of your styling routine, one of these products is sure to streamline your wash day.

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Exercise is a necessary evil. We all know hitting the gym on a regular basis has health benefits that make it worth the effort, but for some curlies it has one particular downside that can be a pain to deal with. Tangles are a fact of life for lots of curlies after an intense workout session. Don’t ruin your post-workout endorphin rush by worrying about your strands! Here are a few of my favorite tips for detangling hair after a workout.

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I am definitely here for finger detangling my hair and I have been doing it for months now. I had just taken out my faux locs and did not rethink continuing my regular finger detangling ritual before shampooing my hair and let’s just say it did not turn out so well. I ended up with a big mess of tangles and lost a lot more hair shed than usual. I realized that because I had the faux locs in for quite a while, after taking them out (and not detangling it for a few days after that), I had developed some major kinks that finger detangling alone was not able to remove. With the length and amount of my hair, I had to go back to my neglected faithful combs. If you ever fall into a hot tangling mess like I did, remember:

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Oh, detangling! [sigh] I have such a love, hate relationship with this step of caring for my hair. It’s an essential part of maintaining healthy hair, but it can also be one of the toughest and most time-consuming parts, especially when you have kinky, afro-textured hair like I do. Here are four tips that have helped me to shave a huge amount of time off of my detangling process.

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What is matted hair?
Matted hair is the combination of attached and shed hairs entwined in clumps or web-like tangles. They are more severe than regular tangles. Some are just prone to matted hair, but many experience matted hair when wearing braided extensions or other extensions too long.

How does it happen?
Matted hair occurs when it has not been combed to remove shed hairs. Loose hairs can knot several times around attached hair, create a tangle, and lead to matting if not removed. Some people are just prone to knotting while other may be suffering from a damaged hair cuticle, causing more friction from the lifted cuticles.

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About a year and half ago I decided to start detangling on damp hair instead of soaking wet hair. When our strands are saturated in water the hair shaft swells, making it weak and vulnerable to breakage. Since my 4a coils are fine in width, I know that even though wet detangling in the shower was easier, it is not the best approach to prevent breakage. After parting my hair in six section before removing tangles and shed hair at the sink, I reach for one of these five conditioners (daily conditioners and leave-in conditioners) with slip that eliminate all friction between my strands for smooth application.

One word. Marshmallow.

Of course whenever we think of marshmallows, our brains automatically resort to s'mores, hot chocolate, and campfires. But what if I told you that marshmallow is actually the PERFECT detangler and moisturizer combination? It really is.

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Detangling is a crucial part of all hair care. Detangling is simply using a hair-care tool to comb or brush through your hair. This helps to remove tangles and shed hairs that can cause matting, knots, and ultimately, breakage. Detangling can also help with washing the hair, styling the hair, and distributing products throughout the hair.

Many naturals have hair growth goals, but are struggling with retaining length. Learning to properly detangle natural hair will ensure that you are not just breaking it off. It will also help with overall healthy hair care, as improper detangling can result in split ends and damaged cuticles. Here are some tips on detangling your hair without ripping it out!

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