at my wits' end!

[SexyWitch]

My hair is very curly and thick. When I reached waist length, I started experiencing very bad tangles and knots at the back of my hair, it almost seems matted. I've even had to cut some out! At first I thought it was due to washing it less frequently and started clarifying more. That helped a little, but it still tangles in the back. I am at my wits end. I am thinking about cutting at least 6 inches off because I can't deal with it anymore. It would be very painful for me to cut that much off :sad: That's why I am asking for advice before I make the big cut.

[Fencai]

I dont have the same hair as you, but my SIL does.

The only advise I can give is, to wait two weeks before cutting. Dont go out and do it without thinking about it.


what's your regular routine?

[Debra83]

Eqyss Survivor Detangler is AMAZING for dealing with tangles. You put a little on dry or wet hair (it's almost like a gel but not quite and it's a clear liquid) and then I can FINGERCOMB my tangly hair. Gives it a nice shine too.

Also, I heard that the tangle teazer is a good product, but I don't have one, and probably won't get one now I have the ESD.

[Anje]

How do you wear your hair normally? Past about BSL, loose hair ends up rubbing on a lot more chair backs and the like, which can cause some crazy tangles and splits. If you've got it loose most of the time, you might need to consider wearing it up or braided more.

You might want to consider 'cones, too. They're certainly not for everyone, but they can be lifesavers for tangly hair.

[cocolover]

The woman on this website has VERY curly hair and her hair routine is maybe something you could try: http://www.biracialhair.org
She actually leaves a lot of conditioner in her, combs all the tangles out and then leaves whatever conditioner is left in. It would be worth a try before cutting. HTH

[3azza]

I have curly thick hair wasit length too. it took me years to figure out how to treat my hair properly. Here is wat i do, I wash it every other day (shampoo+ conditioner for dry hair), i only comb it when i apply the conditioner, and after shower i use a leave-in conditioner. I also do weekly oil masks prior to shower. results did not show straight away, it took some time, but now i easily handle my hair. i hope that helps u.

[spidermom]

I have to wear my hair up most of the time because otherwise I get a terrible matt at the back of my neck. Nothing I've tried can prevent my hair from knotting up back there. I only wear my hair down when I know I won't be very active and can watch out for it.

[Curlsgirl]

Mine is the same as the others have said as it is very close to waist. I used to be able to wear it down but anymore it's almost not worth the tangles it makes especially at the nape. I do still wear it down for special occasions or church or something but not nearly as much. I only comb mostly when there is lots of conditioner in it in the shower and use lots of leave-in and coconut oil almost every day.

[SexyWitch]

Sorry its taken me so long to reply, its been a combination of a nasty sinus infection (I'm better now :) ) and being super busy with schoolwork.

Anyways, my hair routine is CO my hair twice a week and occasionally shampoo with a sulfate free shampoo and I've started clarifying more, which has helped the matting somewhat. I deep conditioner my hair once a week and I put leave in conditioner and oil it after washing. I have started combing the conditioner through my hair and it seems to help. And I put in leave in and oil everyday. I think the culprit is not wearing my hair up as much as I used to, its a lack of hair toys. When I moved out of my on-campus apartment last year, the one thing I forgot was the plastic case with all my toys! And when I called to school to let them know that I had forgotten it, they said that they had thrown everything out that was left behind :(. But I am slowly replacing everything I had lost. Everyone has given great advice and I really appreciate it!

[girlcat36]

Just take off an inch. It could make a big difference in the tangling.
I found that clarifying more often meant less tangling. I hardly ever tangle anymore. But then again, I have, like, no hair. So there is not much to tangle anyway.:rolleyes:

[joyfulmom4]

The woman on this website has VERY curly hair and her hair routine is maybe something you could try: http://www.biracialhair.org
She actually leaves a lot of conditioner in her, combs all the tangles out and then leaves whatever conditioner is left in. It would be worth a try before cutting. HTH

Wow, that woman has some gorgeous curly hair! I think it would definitely be a good idea to try her hair care routine.

[LHGypsyRose]

I used to get that same type of knot in my hair when it was shorter than classic length, and it would drive me insane!! I also wanted to cut several times, but the last time it happened I took some good advice from LadyLongLocks and I slathered the knot in coconut oil and eventually worked the knot out. It seemed to happen when I was too busy to really give my hair the attention it needed, and braids and ponytails at the nape of my kneck didn't help either. Now I just make sure to keep my hair lightly oiled all the time. When it starts looking a bit dull and dry I'll add more and I finger rake it constantly any time my hair is down.
Now when I know I am going to be too busy to pay attention to my hair for awhile, I wear it up in a high ponytail, braided and wrapped into a bun held with little jaw clips. Then at night if I still don't have time for it, I simply let the braid loose and them wrap it back up in the morning. I hope you figured it out and decided not to cut.