Daughter's thick v v tangly hair - tips..help needed pls!!!

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,
My 6 year old has wavy hair which very very easily tangles. She appears to have extremely thick hair but it is also fine and wispy, perhaps a little dry in texture, so tangles straight after we've brushed it. Even our hairdresser can't believe how easily it tangles!

My daughter obviously hates having her hair brushed and detangled! Really after some tips pls for any good products/brushes or clever tricks.

Thanks so much.

Tons of conditioner, tangle teaser, blow drying as opposed to natural drying (sorry if obvious).

Keep on top of it in terms of trimming split ends and condition - I use serum for DD if her hair is dry, it seems to help with the tangles.

Also find out what works best for bedtime so her hair doesn't get even more tangled in bed - for us it's plaits, other people swear by pigtails or buns.

Avon leave-in-conditioner after hair wash and serum.

I feel your pain! The best thing I've found is to just plait it as tightly to her head as I can in pigtails each night. This minimises night time tangling. Then only needs a quick re-brush in the morning so it's faster to get ready. Then I re-tie it for the day again in plaits to stop it re-tangling.

Loads of conditioner when washing to make the hair more moist and slippy. A friend recommended looking at products for Afro hair but I haven't had a chance yet.

Never ever brush it. Only comb when wet and then plait. Comb in sections with a wide toothed comb then plait. I do this in the evening for dd but only twice a week. The rest of the time I just spray with water be gently replait.

Do not use silicone based conditioners or shampoo. The silicone coats the hair dirt making it shiny then dull later down the line.

Use coconut oil as a pre wash conditioner. Slap it on, leave for a few minutes then wash as normal.

I comb her hair with conditioner when wet. She's now 10 and I'm really trying to get her to come her hair every morning and night with a wide tooth comb.

Tangle tamers are rubbish on touch hair, it needs to be combed. Tangle tamers just get rid of the top layer of knots - not helpful on really thick hair (4 primary aged dds here all with different types of hair).

Thick hair, not touch hair!

Thank you. Unfortunately, DD has some sensory issues (poss related to autism spectrum disorder) and struggles with hair tied back. We occasionally (rarely) manage it in the day and 100percent won't at night.

Def combing through conditioner. Is Avon leave in cond good - instead of wash out?

I will look into no silicones

We also have problems as our shower just trickles so takes ages to rinse shampoo or conditioner out! Also a struggle with her sensory problems!

I bought an argon oil serum from Holland and Barrett. Has made a huge difference to my DD's very tangle-prone hair. Pop it on after it's washed or brushed and keeps it under control.

I'd actively avoid detangling sprays - we found that although they do get the knots out, it'll be twice as bad when you brush the next time.

Lots of conditioner, too. Not a child's product - go for serious moisturising: coconut oil-based or similar.

Ah, my dd also had ASD (not as thick hair as the other dd) and I struggle with this also. She won't wear her hair back. This time last year I had to cut out a huge knot from her hair. No conditioner would move it. Since then she has been much more forthcoming to the occasional brush of her hair.

You could also try posting on the SN boards for tips. I have a thread from around this time last year before I ended up having to cut dds hair.

You could try just using a 2-in-1 and spray detangling lotion,. My dd is particularly fond of smells (not always good and not always fond) but she likes the Superdrug detangling spray because of the scent.

We also have problems as our shower just trickles so takes ages to rinse shampoo or conditioner out! Also a struggle with her sensory problems

I'm not sure whether your daughter would like this but can you rinse using jugs of water instead? That night be more effective than a trickling shower.

Look up the curly girl Facebook page.
Loads of tips.

My 12 year old niece has long tangly hair, and also sensory issues and autism. She has found the 'wet brush' brand hairbrush really good at getting out the knots. I use it now too, best hairbrush ever. I hope you find something that works.