How to Comb Curly Hair – smartesthairstyles.com – Combing curly hair properly can make a huge difference in the health and overall condition of your curly hair. Afro-textured hair requires a different approach than hair with loose curls or ringlets.
- Afro-textured or tightly curled hair
1. Find a wide-toothed comb. The bigger the gap, the better it pulls out the curls. Choose a comb with strong teeth that won’t break against your hair.
2. Treat with hair products. If you’re having trouble getting a comb through, use one of these treatments before you start combing:
If your hair feels particularly greasy, apply dry shampoo followed by dry conditioner.
If your hair isn’t greasy but is still difficult to comb, use detangling spray, coconut oil, or olive oil.
3. Divide the hair into at least four sections. Divide your hair into right front, right back, left front and left back sections and clip them apart. Divide each of these sections in half again if your hair is particularly thick.
4. Comb out your hair. Comb each section with downward strokes. Start at the end of your hair and pull out knots before moving to a slightly higher position.
Be careful not to over tighten the knots or you will tear the hair from the root. If your comb gets stuck, work your fingers through the hair and try again.
5. Dampen your hair if combing causes pain. Wet hair is sometimes easier and less painful to comb, but also more likely to break or split. If your scalp is sensitive, wet your hair and try again. Try the following for better results:
Apply to wet hair and conditioner.
Leave on for an hour.
Rinse out the conditioner.
Pat dry with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt, then comb. Do not use a towel as the friction of towels will frizz your hair.
6. Clean hair products. If you’ve treated your hair with oil, remove it with one application of dry shampoo.
- Wavy or loosely curled hair
1. Choose a brush or comb. For very tangled hair, use a wide-toothed comb. For regular conditioning of wavy hair or soft curls, use a paddle brush. Paddle brushes are flat, usually square, and usually have more bristles. This provides a larger surface area to run your hair through while trying to detangle it. The bristle material also makes a difference:
Boar bristles are a strong, natural material that works well for taming thick hair.
Nylon bristles are softer and glide easier, good for fine or brittle hair.
More cushioning on the brush gives more flexibility but less drag. Some flexibility is good to avoid tugging, but keep the padding low if you have thick hair.
2. Divide hair into four quarters. Part your hair in half from front to back. Separate each one in half again, on your left and right side. Use clips to secure the areas you are not brushing.
If you have extra thick hair, divide it into additional sections.
3. Start with the lower sections. Starting at the base of the head is an easy way to do this. After completing a section, just leave it at the bottom and go to the top without the bottom getting in the way.
4. Brush in downward motions, starting at the end. Brush each section of hair starting with the ends. Pull out each knot or tangle with repeated downward strokes. When finished, brush down from a slightly higher position.
5. Wet hair as a last resort. When your hair is wet, it’s at its weakest. The cuticles (outer walls of the hair) are expanded, soft, and full of water. However, combing wet hair is less painful on the scalp and can make detangling easier. Brush very gently so as not to break the hair.
When combing wet hair, a wide-toothed comb is safer than a brush. Progress to progressively narrower combs to get rid of minor tangles.
