Hair tangling is an issue that everyone with long or short hair has had to deal with at some point in their lives. While it is not a dangerous matter, hair knots can be really annoying, especially if you are rushing to get to an appointment or do other tasks.
No matter how careful you are with your hair, tangles and knots will happen on a regular basis. Many women cope by either ripping them out (which increases the chance of hair loss) or just waiting until they go away. But there is no need to do that because even though it may seem like a complicated problem to fix, hair knots can be dealt with easily.
So, what causes hair to get tangled? Will frequent tangling result in more serious issues? Is there a way to prevent knots from forming? Read on to find out the answers to these questions.
Does Applying Shampoo at the Top of the Head Cause Hair Tangling?
Tangling happens when two or more hair strands get intertwined. The size of the knot gets bigger as more strands get added. Also, detangling becomes more difficult the bigger the knot is.
There are many possible reasons why hair gets tangled. One of them is applying shampoo on top of the head. Tangling happens because the hair strands are being pulled in multiple directions.
When you shampoo, you apply the product in a circular motion to cover all of the hair at once. When this happens, the hair strands are stretched, causing them to get tangled. The truth is that the knots do not just form at the top of the head but also in various areas of the head where you apply the shampoo.
It should be noted that damaged hair is prone to knotting. Often, damaged tresses are dry. The lack of moisture makes the strands susceptible to tangling. Hair gets damaged for various reasons, including frequent use of hot styling tools and hair products containing harsh chemicals.
Can Tangled Hair Cause Hair Loss?
Tangling, per se, does not cause hair loss. What does is forcefully combing or pulling the strands to remove the knot. These actions may cause the strands to break or get pulled out from the roots. Hence, these can increase your chances of losing hair.
However, it should be noted that these activities rarely lead to permanent hair thinning or balding. If you are noticing that your hairline is receding or developing bald patches, the chances are high that they are due to androgenetic alopecia and not hair knots.
How to Properly Deal With Hair Tangling
While developing hair knots is unavoidable, there are things you can do to minimise your chances of having them. For one, apply shampoo the right way. Please put it on your scalp instead of the strands, as tangling is more likely to happen when you apply the shampoo to the entire length of the hair.
It is important that you also regularly use a conditioner to keep your hair moisturised. When hair is soft and smooth, tangling is least likely to happen.
After showering, finger-rake your hair to remove any hair knots. This is one of the gentle ways to detangle hair. It is also best to avoid twisting or rubbing your hair with a cloth towel after showering. Doing this does not just cause hair knots, but it also makes your hair prone to breakage and hair fall.
Go for a wide-toothed comb instead of a rat-tailed comb. The latter removes tangles efficiently without excessively pulling on your hair. Also, when combing, always start at the ends instead of the roots.
To add, the best time to detangle hair is when it is semi-dry. Hair is at its weakest when it is wet. Hence, it is prone to breakage at this state. So, it is highly recommended that you wait until it is dry a bit before combing it.
Are you always experiencing hair tangling? Worried that it may be causing your hair loss? Get a proper diagnosis! Call us today at +353 (0)1 679 3618 or click here to book a consultation with our trichologist!
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