As stunning as 4c hair is, it can be prone to dryness and breakage. Moreover, many people with 4c hair have to detangle it from time to time as it has a tendency to become matted.
With that in mind, we introduce you to six simple steps that will enable you to detangle your 4c hair at home, without causing any damage.
What is 4c hair?
Before we get into it, we need to define 4c hair. This hair type is characterized by tight coils, curls, and waves and often appears in a zigzag pattern.
While it’s a super attractive hair type, 4c hair is prone to dryness and breakage, which is why it’s so important to keep it hydrated and nourished.
If you’re not careful and you try to detangle matted 4c hair while it’s dry, you could damage your roots and follicles. If you find some damaged hair, learn how to grow your 4c hair.
Why does 4c hair regularly tangle?
The tight and thin nature of 4c hair makes it particularly susceptible to tangling, frizzing, and breaking. Moreover, if you use chemical-based hair products and don’t dry your hair properly, your 4c hair is more likely to tangle or become matted.
Though this can be frustrating, knowing which steps to take and regularly treating your hair can make a huge difference to the health and appearance of 4c hair.
Let’s now look at the simple steps you can take to detangle your hair without causing any damage.
How to detangle 4c hair in 6 simple steps
Learn a complete guide to detangle your 4c hair at home.
1. Wet your hair
When dealing with tangled 4c hair, you must wet it first. So, take a shower and towel dry your hair so it’s not soaking wet. You’re then ready to start the detangling process.
2. Divide your hair into sections
Next, part your hair into manageable sections to begin the process. You can use clips or twists to divide your hair and keep it separated while you detangle it.
3. Apply a detangling product
Numerous brands offer detangling products that are brilliant for moisturizing your hair before separating it. If you have one, apply it liberally and massage it into your hair to soften the follicles.
4. Use your fingers to detangle
You’re now ready to detangle the biggest knots with your fingers. For many people with 4c hair, the curls can get easily wrapped around one another. So, gently detangle the largest knots with your fingers first before moving on to the smaller matted sections.
5. Use a tool to help you
After starting with your fingers, you can then switch to a special hair-detangling tool to work it through the tighter knots. Hair detangling combs are super affordable and can easily be ordered online, so they’re a handy investment if you have 4c hair.
6. Rinse your hair completely
After patiently detangling your matted hair, go back into the shower and rinse it thoroughly. You may also want to wash your 4c curly hair with shampoo and conditioner.
How to prevent 4c hair from becoming tangled
Now that you’ve solved the issue, it’s time to look at ways to prevent your 4c hair from becoming tangled in the future. Here are some things you can do to alter your hair care routine to improve the way you look after your gorgeous curls:
☑️ Hydrate your hair regularly: Dehydrated hair can become matted, and it is more prone to breakage. Therefore, to protect your curls, keep them hydrated. You can do this by using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner combo and by applying a nourishing hair mask when you feel that your hair is drying out.
☑️ Dry your hair correctly: Another reason why 4c hair becomes tangled is because of poor drying techniques. We recommend using an ionic hair dryer like the Laifen Swift Special to dry your hair without it frizzing. This best hair dryer for 4c hair also has adjustable heat settings, meaning you can dry your hair with cooler air, preventing it from drying out.
☑️ Wrap your hair at night: Wrapping your hair in a silk turban or scarf is an excellent way to prevent it from tangling throughout the night. If you don’t want to wrap your hair, you can sleep on a satin pillowcase, as this also reduces friction and helps to protect your hair.
☑️ Use a leave-in conditioner: Buying a leave-in conditioner for curly hair is an excellent way to lock in some of its moisture to prevent it from drying out and becoming matted. There are lots of products out there, so opt for one that is specifically designed for curly or coily hair for the best results.
The verdict: How to detangle matted 4c hair
Detangling wet hair isn’t difficult, but you must know how to do it correctly to prevent it from breaking. The crucial thing to remember is that you should only attempt to detangle matted 4c hair when it’s wet, as doing it when it’s dry can cause it to break.
You can follow our six simple steps above and refer to our FAQs below for more information.
FAQs
Q1: How to detangle 4c hair male?
Whether you’re a male or female, you can follow our six simple steps above to detangle 4c hair.
Q2: How often to detangle matted 4c hair?
This depends on how matted your hair is. Typically, we recommend detangling your hair as and when it becomes a problem, but you might need to do it as regularly as a couple of times per week during drier and hotter months of the year.
Q3: How to detangle 4c hair after washing?
You can follow our six simple steps above to detangle 4c hair after washing it. Just remember not to fully dry your hair before detangling it.
Q4: How to detangle 4c hair before washing?
If you want to detangle your 4c hair before washing, you must rinse your hair and ensure it’s wet before you start the process.
