How to Undo a Knot in Your Hair

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

Did you wake up to find a great big knot in your hair? Or maybe you went for a ride in a convertible, or spent the day riding roller coasters at an amusement park, and now your hair is a tangled mess? No matter how you got that knot, you know one thing: you want it out! With the right tools and a lot of patience, you can work through the toughest knot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing to Detangle

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1
Calm yourself and make sure you have time to devote to detangling. Trying to rush through the process will likely worsen the knot and leave you angry and frustrated. Working out a knot can take time and a lot of patience, and you should go into the process as calmly as possible. Take a few deep breaths, put on some enjoyable music, and get to work.
- If you have a friend, sibling, or parent willing to help, you can speed up the process. And if the knot is somewhere that is difficult to reach, they may be necessary.^{[1]
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- Remember to take breaks. You may need to stop and rest your arms.
- If you don't have time to deal with the knot, pull your hair into a bun and wait until you have enough time to dedicate to working it out.^{[2]
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2
Gather your materials. When trying to unknot hair, your tools can make all the difference. You absolutely want to use a detangler, conditioner, or other lubricant (like coconut oil). Don't use a brush, as this can lead to more knotting. Instead, find a sturdy medium- or wide-toothed comb. Set up a chair in front of a mirror--you'll want to be sitting, since it may take a while.
- There's an abundance of detangling products for curly-haired people. Look for sprays to use after the shower, plus rinses and shampoos that can help when you wash your hair.
- Look for gentle, no-tears versions for kids or very fine hair.
- If your hair is dry and damaged, look for a product that moisturizes as it detangles.
- You can also use a silicone-based de-frizzing gel to work out tangles.^{[3]
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- Make your own spray by mixing conditioner and water in a clean, empty spray bottle.
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Detangle your hair when it's dry to avoid breakage. Some experts will recommend detangling your hair when it's wet because it's more stretchy and elastic. However, detangling wet hair can actually lead to more breakage, so it's best to work on it when it's dry.^{[4]
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- If you need to, lightly mist your hair with spray or conditioner to add lubrication and "slip" to dry hair, which is often sufficient for working out a knot.
- Some experts recommend detangling right before you shower, so you can easily work shampoo and conditioner through your hair and comb it out afterwards.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Working out the Knot

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Divide your hair to isolate the knot. Use plastic hair clamps or clips to separate your hair. Try to clip back all the hair that is not already part of the knot so it doesn't end up in the mess. The knot should be free from the clips with everything else pulled out of the way.
- If you have a ton of tangles, it will be much easier for you to work in sections.^{[6]
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  Research source} Try dividing your hair into about six sections and work on them one at a time.
- If you're working through all your hair, make sure you separate the finished sections from those that are still knotted. You may want to braid the finished section so it doesn't tangle again.^{[7]
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Apply the product and allow it to sit for several minutes so it can soak into your hair. Follow the instructions on the bottle of the product. The more slip and lubrication, the easier it will be to undo the knot.
3
Work the product into the knot with your fingers. Begin close to the bottom of your hair and gently massage the detangler into the knot.^{[8]
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- Feeling the knot with your hands can give you a better idea of what you're working against, like the size and how tightly the strands are knotted.^{[9]
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4
Pick the tail of a rat-tail comb into the center of the knot. Gently wiggle the comb back and forth to help loosen the knot. Don't tug on your hair with the comb—that will lead to breakage, which will only create future tangles.
- Be very, very gentle when combing through the knot^{[10]
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- If you can't get the comb through the knot, try applying more product.
- Remember to take breaks if you get tired or frustrated. This process may take quite a while.
5
Work your way up the section of hair, through the knot. When you are able to comb easily through your hair, move up the strand a little and gently pull the comb downwards, applying product as needed.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.}
- Make sure you are holding your hair firmly with your free hand, near the root. This will make the tugging less painful and can help prevent breakage.^{[12]
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- If you can't move the comb smoothly through your hair without hitting snags or tearing your hair, move upwards in smaller increments.^{[13]
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6
Remove tiny knots with your fingers if possible. Even when you've successfully removed the knot from your hair, you may find a few tiny knots that are extremely tight. Try picking them out with the tail of your comb, just like you did with the bigger knot. If they won't budge, stop and try a different strand of hair.^{[14]
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- If you have removed some hair from the tiny knot but it still won't undo, see a salon professional. Never rip the knot out with a comb.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Future Knots and Tangles

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Braid or pineapple your hair before going to sleep. Gently gathering your hair in a braid or pineapple updo will keep you from sleeping directly on top of it, decreasing friction. You can also try a sleeping bonnet, satin or silk pillowcase or a hair net to keep your hair tangle-free at night.^{[16]
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- Use soft hair ties, not rubber bands, to pull your hair back.
- Remove any bobby pins you may have used to style your hair.
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Trim your hair regularly. Many women can't stand to give up even a centimeter of their hard-earned hair length, but avoiding haircuts leads to dead, dry hair and split ends that cause tangles.^{[17]
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Research source} At the very least, you should get your hair trimmed every three months, and tell your stylist you want the dead hair removed.^{[18]
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- Split ends can travel up the hair shaft, damaging living hair and causing major tangles.^{[19]
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- As much as you may love every inch of your hair, dry, dead hair really doesn't look very good. Remember that your hair will continue to grow, and it will look healthier and stronger if you get a minor cut every season.^{[20]
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Don't pile your hair on top of your head and scrub like crazy. Picture the way women shampoo their hair in commercials: focus on the scalp, massaging with your fingers, and allow the product to rinse through your hair.^{[21]
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Avoid necklaces with fine chains and shirts with collars if you have long hair. Very long hair is prone to tangling, and can easily snag on the fine chain of a delicate necklace or an elaborate collar on your blouse. If you don't want to give up your necklaces, make sure the chain stays under the collar of your shirt, and try not to wear more than one.^{[22]
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- Check necklaces and collars often to make sure they aren't catching your hair and forming a knot.^{[23]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Why do I always get knots in my hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Make sure you're taking preventative measures. Prior to shampooing, brush or comb your hair with a large-tooth comb. After shampooing, use the right conditioner for your hair type and texture and let it process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Rinse the conditioner with cool water and towel dry your hair.

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What if I always keep my hair in a bun?

Community Answer

Try brushing out the knots from your hair before you go to bed and put your bun on top of your head to avoid more knots. Use leave in conditioner to avoid knots during the day.

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What is the best type of brush for this?

Community Answer

A wide tooth comb would be the best. If that doesn't work, use a thinner one.

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Tips

Wear your hair in a ponytail or a braid during the day to keep your hair from getting tangled.

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Try brushing your hair in the bathtub while it is slightly damp and has conditioner in it.

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If your hair has a big tangled knot, use hair straighteners on the knot, then comb it.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Use a wide-tooth comb on big knots first, then switch to a thinner comb to remove smaller ones. Work through your hair in sections.
Prevent knots by keeping hair protected in braids, silk caps, or gentle ties overnight. Friction from sleeping causes tangles.
Applying anti-dandruff shampoo before detangling can help if knots are caused by a dry scalp. Leave on 1-2 hours beforehand.
Detangle knots in the shower by using lots of conditioner and gently brushing from the ends up. Water provides lubrication.
Products like Tangle Teasers are designed to brush through knots. Invest in the right tools to make detangling easier.
Hold hair above the knot to reduce pain as you slowly work out tangles. Don't cause damage by ripping through knots.

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Warnings

Brush slowly because if you brush fast it will hurt and make the knot worse.

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Avoid brushing your hair when it is completely wet, because it is more likely to break.

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