Detangling My Daughters Hair

Updated on June 03, 2009
M.N. asks from Fort Worth, TX
40 answers

I have tried detanglers and all types. I have also tried conditioners all types. Any ideas.She just screams anytime she sees me coming with a brush.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

brush hair from the bottom/ends first, not the roots, gently working (brushing or combing, whichever you do)out knots. Then move a bit higher and brush down until you reach another knot, you can hold hand behind the knot, holding hair so it won't pull as bad and gently brush out.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.A.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter (she is five) used to cry every time I brushed or combed her hair. Combing out with a wide tooth comb when wet really helps, as does leave in conditioner. She kind of rectified the problem herself this spring. She cut about 8 inches off either side of her head. After a little growing out she has a bob that we both love. I still want it to get back down to her shoulders, but she loves it.

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B.P.

answers from Abilene on

Comb it with a wide toothed comb while you are rinsing out the conditioner.

When you dry it, don't rub her head with the towel. Just press the towel to her head.

While it is still wet, use Infusium (a leave in conditioner) and comb it through with the wide toothed comb.

This should make a HUGE difference.

1 mom found this helpful

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S.R.

answers from Dallas on

have you tried Infusium leave in conditioner? That is the best product I have ever found.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Dallas on

Good Morning M.,
Does your daughter have fine straight hair or curly? My three girls all have curly hair and what really helps after I wash it is MATRIX hydratherapie BIOLAGE Detangleing Solution. At night I braid their hair so it wont tangle up while they sleep. I also take a spray bottle, put maybe 15-20% of it the detangleing solution and the rest water. In the morning (or when ever i want to style their hair) I use it to spray and brush/comb through their hair so I can style it. I hope this helps.
Have a blessed day.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.O.

answers from Dallas on

Like Brandi P suggested.... comb in the shower/tub with the conditioner in then rinse and do the leave-in conditioner.

If she needs her hair brushed between showers when her hair is dry... forget it and put it in a scrunchie... the crying isn't worth the result.

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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

get a spray bottle and add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil (purchase from health food store) to water. Spray wet hair (after shampoo) come gently ... gets out tangles and calms children

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D.

answers from Dallas on

Start with a wide tooth comb first. It makes it a lot easier to get tangles out without pain.

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M.K.

answers from Dallas on

Brush hair before it gets wet. After it is wet use a wide tooth comb not a brush (a brush can ruin hair by causing split ends especially with wet hair) section hair off and always start at the bottom working your way up. I have always had long hair and this is what I have to do. If it gets tangled during the day try putting it in braids or ponytails with bands a few inches apart.

PS I have NEVER had to buy any hair products, why waste your money when all you need is a little bit of patience?

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,
When my neice stays with me, I comb out her hair before I rinse out the conditioner.
Victoria

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B.P.

answers from Dallas on

We use the Walmart brand detangler. My best friend swears by it too. She has long hair that is always tangled and someone recommended the walmart brand. She loves it. Good luck

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Brush her hair before she gets in the shower/tub. Never brush wet hair. Not only is it damaging to the hair it's painful. Use a wide tooth comb and work from the ends to the scalp. Use a good shampoo and conditioner. I also used to comb my daughters hair while the conditioner was in her hair.

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L.H.

answers from Dallas on

A coworker of mine advised sleeping on a silk pillow case to prevent the tangles. May try that?

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L.W.

answers from Lubbock on

My daughter did that too. Until I found a wonderful detangler. It is from Johnson and Johnson and it is in a turquoise v-shaped tube. It's call No More Tangles and it works miracles, a friend tried it and loves it too! It is actually a leave in conditioner but it is the best thing I found for her hair. I find it at Walmart. Good luck!
L.

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B.M.

answers from Abilene on

Bio-silk! It is a bit pricey but a little goes a very long way. My granddaughter has baby fine blonde hair and it works wonders!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

I second the suggestion for Johnson's No More Tangles leave-in conditioner. It is the only thing I've found that works in my son's super curly hair when it gets tangles. Before finding this product, I would have to leave the tangles in his hair, b/c he cried and wouldn't let me get the comb near his head.

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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

I use Bio Silk on my daughter's hair. You can buy it at most Target stores. It is expensive, but you only use a teaspoon each time so the bottle lasts a really long time. Smooth it on wet hair and tangles come out easily.

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N.T.

answers from Dallas on

I have really curly hair that can get really tangly. I use Herbal Essence conditioner and the trick for me is brushing it out in the shower while the conditioner is still in it. If I wait until after I rinse it out, it's like I didn't even use a conditioner. Good luck!

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M.P.

answers from Dallas on

Both of my girls have always had a lot of hair. The one thing that finally put an end to the rat's nests was using a satin pillow case for their pillows while they sleep. Sounds silly, but no more huge knots!

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C.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hello M.,

My daughter's hair was a nightmare until I figured out it was the product I was using.

here are a few hints. pick up her hair at night so it doesn't get extra tangled.

get ALCOHOL-FREE shampoo and conditioner.
you can even use olive oil on her hair at night and then wash it in the morning.
divide her hair in 4-6 sections and detangle one section at the time.
Good luck! ~C.~

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried Johnson and Johson's no more tangles. They now have it available it in a squeaze bottle. It really helps with my daughter. Also, if you hold the roots with your hand and tug at the hair it shouldn't pull at her scalp. So she should not even feel the tug. Good luck!

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F.W.

answers from Dallas on

I have several ideas for you to help b/c I had this same issue! nothing worked off the counter. First, I had to get and use a brush that had SOFT bristles. Next, when her hair was wet-I do use a comb(my daughtr is now 6) BUT I found that the Arbonne Hair to the Rescue is spray on and is amazing for detangling, keeping hair soft, keeping colour! spray it on and start combing from the bottom. I also have fine, thin, limp hair so I had this problem as a little one too! You can also use the Arbonne FC5Hair Conditioner and then would not need the Spray on stuff. They both make it so soft and manageable. My daughter loves it and will not let me brush her hair w/o it! I also talk to her and prep her before we do anything with her hair. I also treat her and talk to her like she is in or going to the beauty shop. you have to be patient but this has really made milestones in the screaming behavior and ouies! I am an independant consultant with Arbonne; so if you need help contact me here or go to my website: www.beautyinsideout.myarbonne.com
ID#15095142
You will not be disappointed!
I am a SAHM with 3kiddos: Larissa-6yrs, Christian-4yrs, Parker-21mths.tx

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K.B.

answers from Dallas on

Cut her hair short until she is old enough to want it long and willing to deal with the combing.

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L.M.

answers from Dallas on

Try a little silk infusion by chi.

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

get her interested in a tv show or eating at the table... something. Using a comb and detangling spray hold her hair above where you are combing so if it pulls it won't pull her. My 2 year old knows that as long as she doesn't run off while I am combing her hair it won't hurt her so she stays still until I say I am done. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Comb at least 2 times a day (I comb hers everytime we get ready in the morning, when she gets up from nap, and during bathtime.

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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

use a wide tooth comb prior to washing your daughter's hair. instead of using a brush always use a wide tooth comb. maybe braid her hair prior to her going to sleep would help. in the 1800's/early 1900's that's why women braided their hair prior to retiring for the evening. good luck.

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B.W.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter has fine curly hair, she used Olive oil aloe shampoo, found at wallmart, this without the conditioner helps comb right through. Beleive me I've had may days of crying.
BW

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E.K.

answers from Dallas on

I use a very wide toothed comb and keep my daughter's hair short. We also use leave in conditioner (Paul Mitchell) and this seems to keep it from getting too tangled, although sometimes it makes it look a little stringy. If need be, we use detangler before we comb it too (just the Suave brand you can buy in any grocery store.) Probably the biggest thing that's helped is the hair length and the wide toothed comb though. I hope this helps - I know there's nothing worse than hearing your child scream when you comb their hair!

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

I've got very curly hair and so does my daughter. The only time I brush my hair is in the shower with conditioner in it. You might want to try and brush her hair when she is in the tub and has conditioner in it. She could play with her toys and be distracted. You may want to start with going through it with your fingers while the conditioner is in it, then move to the brush. I usually scrunch it dry with a towel afterwards.
When I do my daughter's hair the next morning, I rewet it with water and spray in a detangler. I hold onto her hair at the scalp while I brush it and that keeps me from pulling her hair from her scalp.
Good luck!

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N.R.

answers from Dallas on

Hey M.. I know the feeling!! My 3 yr old would NOT let me comb her hair for all the ice cream in the world!! She would only let her daycare instructor come it, until I told her we would have to cut it!! When she switched classes, her new "teacher" did not comb it so I had everyone comment on how pretty her hair was when it was combed and told her we would have to cut it if we didn't keep it combed and she didn't like that idea. I use Just For Me detangler, and I make sure it's conditioned really well after we wash it. It helps to come it while it is wet (ideally while its conditioning), but if not then, I do it right before bed time so we don't have to wrestle with it in the morning. Hopr that helps!

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

I know you tried all kinds of conditioners but right after you give her a bath and wash her hair put conditioner in her hair and leave it in. Make sure it feels like enough and spread evenly especially if it's thick hair. My daughter has the same problem and this is what i do and it's easy to get the brush through. Later on when it dries her hair is nice and soft. Hope this helps

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D.H.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried Biosilk Silk Therapy? It works wonders. You can use it on wet or dry hair. A little goes a long way and also pull it up on a high ponytail with a scrunchie at night.

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J.W.

answers from Dallas on

Aren't the Mamas great? Looks like you have several responses. I have just three suggestions:
1. Always comb her hair before bed (including the underside).
2. Always comb her hair before and after washing it.
3. When you comb her hair, start about an inch from the bottom and slowly work your way up. This will keep from having compounded tangles! While you do this, hold her hair with your other hand closer to her scalp so you can "buffer" the impact of detangling. Does this make sense? If not, send me a message and I'll try to explain.

Good luck!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

I put a teaspoonfull of leave-in conditioner in a spraybottle and dilute it with water. You could have her pick out the spray bottle to put "princess water" into...let her decorate it if you think that would help.
It could be the way you are brushing it. I run my fingers through a section of my daughters hair, gripping it between my fingers near her scalp, then I brush her hair out while it is on top of my palm (this keeps it from pulling so much.) Another thing to consider is that her behavior is something that needs disiplined (sp). maybe a little bit of everything. take care!

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J.M.

answers from Lubbock on

I have used a product called No More tangles for my baby fine hair. Also, use a large toothed comb or a pick (one that has about 3" plastic teeth) Always start at the bottom to work the tangles free before moving up. There is another product called INFUSION, in a gray bottle. THere are 3 steps - shampoo, conditioner, and leave in conditioner. I only use the leave in conditiioner. Again, use a large toothed comb or a pick. Good luck. J.

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K.J.

answers from Dallas on

I also have troublesome tangles and stumbled on this by accident. I purchased a hair product for gloss and shine called Madrid's Silk Essense. It smoothes out frizz and makes hair shiny. After washing my hair I thought I would try spraying lightly on my tangles. Wow! My comb just glided thru my hair and no more tangle! I also tried a product called frizz ease and it worked as well. I perfer the Silk Essense because it is a spray pump. I hope this information helps you.
Sincerely,
K. J.

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter's hair is thick and fine. It would tangle so easily. Mine was the same way. So what I did when I was a kid, and did for my daughter, is while the conditioner is still in her hair, take one of those wide tooth combs and comb it through. Then rinse the conditioner out. When you dry her hair, get one of thos twisty turbon things (you can by at Sally's, wallmart) It will squeeze out the excess water without you towel drying it. It will comb out so easily!

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S.R.

answers from Dallas on

I have fine, but thick hair and my daughter looks like she is going to follow in my footsteps. I have tried just about every product out there. I finally found some serum called Biosilk Silk Therapy that is a miracle product. I got it at that Beauty Brands place. I think it's about $10.00, but you only need a little bit so it lasts forever. I think you can find it at any place that sells hair products. It is the only thing that makes my hair and my daughter's easy to comb through, and not have half of our hair in the comb when we are done. Plus it makes your hair shiny and doesn't make it greasy looking.
I haven't done the satin pillowcases, but I have heard that works as well! Good luck! I know how difficult it can be!

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A.J.

answers from Dallas on

Try a satin pillow case - it also helps keep braided hair to look better longer.

Good luck!

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T.G.

answers from Dallas on

I had this problem with my daughter when she was younger. She had long thick hair and it was a nightmare getting in untangled. Tresseme (spelling??) conditioner is the best about detangling. We still use it to this day just because it is the best conditioner for the money! If her hair is real thick or course use the anti-sponge. If it is fine use any of the other conditioners for normal hair. The anti-sponge is for frizzy hair so it may too heavy for normal or fine hair. Also, there is a brush that is the best for removing tangles. It is a wire hair brush with a metal base. I can't remember the brand. It is VERY wide with soft balls on the ends to keep from hurting the scalp or splitting the hair. This brush works great for detangling and you can find it at Sally's Beauty Supply. Hope this helps.

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