Tangles are the most common reason people tire of their hair extensions early. The good news is that tangles almost always form in the same places, for the same reasons – and you can do something about both.
What a tangle actually is
Every strand of hair has a cuticle layer on its surface. When the cuticle lies flat, the strands glide past each other. When it is raised – by dryness, heat, friction or age – the strands catch on each other like Velcro. So a tangle isn’t dirt; it’s dryness plus friction.
The four most common causes
- The nape. The hair rubs against your collar, jacket and bag strap all day.
- Night-time. Cotton bedding pulls at the hair every time you turn over.
- Dryness. Hair that hasn’t had any moisture for weeks will tangle however careful you are.
- Grow-out. Once the bonds have grown out, they start to rotate and the extensions begin to twist around your own hair.
The brushing technique that prevents tangles
- Divide the hair into two to four sections.
- Hold the hair firmly just above the bonds with one hand.
- Brush the bottom ten centimetres first, until the brush glides through freely.
- Move your hand up a few centimetres and repeat.
- Make the final stroke from the roots to the ends once the rest is already detangled.
Brush at least twice a day, always before washing and always before bed. Five minutes in the evening saves you twenty in the morning.
How to rescue hair that has already tangled
Never pull. Instead, dampen the tangle with water mixed with a little KIS Daily Leave-in Spray or a few drops of KIS Argan Oil PowerSerum so the strands become slippery. Then work gently with your fingers from the underside of the tangle outwards, strand by strand. Only switch to a brush once the tangle has loosened. If it is rock-hard at a bond, it’s a job for the salon – don’t try to cut there yourself.
Prevent with moisture
Well-moisturised hair tangles noticeably less. Treat your hair to a Royal Repair Masque every week or every other week, and if you have curly or dry extensions, KIS Curls Leave-in Conditioner is a good daily layer that keeps the strands separated.
Small habits with a big effect
- Braid your hair loosely when you sleep, work out or drive with the window open
- Wear your hair outside your jacket rather than inside the collar
- Switch to a satin or silk pillowcase
- Avoid coarse wool scarves directly against the lengths
Frequently asked questions
Why does it always tangle most at the nape?
That is where the hair is shortest from the bond to the ends, where it lies against your clothes all day and gets the least air. The combination of friction and warmth makes the nape the zone where the cuticle wears first. Give that section extra leave-in and brush it separately.
Does trimming the ends of hair extensions help?
Yes, more than many people think. Worn ends tangle faster and drag the hair above them along. One or two centimetres trimmed by a hairdresser can give the hair several more months. Don’t cut hair weft yourself – it’s easy to end up with an uneven line that shows.
Can hair that tangles all the time be worn out?
Sometimes. If the hair tangles again within a few hours of detangling, despite moisture and gentle handling, the cuticle has usually worn away. At that point no product will help in the long run, and it’s time to replace the hair.
Need to stock up on nourishing products? Take a look at our hair masks.