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DD's REALLY tangled hair - recommend products please!

43 replies

DrPill · 17/10/2017 16:50

DD who is 10 has the worst hair I've ever seen. It's long, thick and straight, and no matter how much I get trimmed off, it's a massive tangle of knots.
Some are so bad I've had to cut them. They starts around ear length and continue to the ends.
Even if I brush it before her bath or shower, the act of shampooing it makes it so tangled that it takes me 10 minutes to comb through conditioner.
Just now, I brush it before her bath, it's shampooed, I brush through conditioner, squeeze dry with a towel and it's left to dry naturally with serum or coconut oil on the ends.

Other than the knots, it doesn't need to be washed every day so I try not to. It's usually okay the morning after being washed. By that afternoon, it is awful again.
I've tried all sorts of shampoos and conditioners - even expensive salon brands. I've tried loads of serums and oils, intensive conditioning masques and build-up removing shampoo. I've had it cut shorter. NOTHING works.
Any advice would be very welcome!

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 17/10/2017 16:54

My dd had hair like this she is nearly 20 and seems to have the hang of it it gets washed every 3rd day she ties it in plaits before bed and uses very little conditioner just the ends and gets it thinned out at the hairdressers every 6/8 weeks.

3luckystars · 17/10/2017 16:55

How many times a day does she brush it?

We have a tangle teeter brush and I brush my daughters hair, tie it up and brush it again when it’s up. It’s good for everyday combing but I don’t think it’s great for deep tangles.

Every so often I use load of conditioner, sit her in front of a film and comb that through with a nit comb, that usually keeps it tangle free for a few days too.

MrsJayy · 17/10/2017 16:55

Oh and a tangle teaser brush

MrsJayy · 17/10/2017 16:57

When I was doing her hair i used a wide tooth comb when it was wet.

Belle1409 · 17/10/2017 16:59

Tangle teezer and bumble and bumble invisible oil primer spray. I have also just started using a Kerastase serum, sorry I can’t remember the name but it’s in a blue / green tube.

haggisaggis · 17/10/2017 17:00

DDs hair works best with the Aussie brand products. Some other shampoos tangled it dreadfully and seemed to suck the moisture out. She also uses hair oil on the ends and brushes and plaits before bed. She’s 15 now and can manage herself although her’s has just been trimmed for the first time in ages and she said it is more tangly after trimming than before.

IDoLikeARainbow · 17/10/2017 17:02

What’s her hair type? It’s worth investigating ‘co-washing’ where you wash with conditioner, that seems to stop the tangles from shampooing.
Does she wear her hair down, could you maybe plait it instead, again that stops the knots.

haggisaggis · 17/10/2017 17:03

Yes dd uses a tangle teaser and brushes her hair several times a day now she’s older!

LilQueenie · 17/10/2017 17:07

poundland kids detangler. We have the paw patrol one. I use a good conditioner that leaves hair smooth as some don't. I also use a long comb that has both wide and small tooths. Start from bottom and work up in sections with the wide end then do it with the small end. Partially dry it first with a hairdryer using lots of detanlgler spray.

I find less knots when wearing it down than in a plait for some reason. Maybe because DD's hair tends to fall out the plait by the end of the day.

chajazam · 17/10/2017 17:10

Sounds like a new hairstyle is needed. Boxer braids or plaited pony tail, bun etc and tangle teaser changed my life (I have big curly mixed race hair) get the Afro if the standard one isn't up to scratch. I used to spend a very long time combing my hair resulting in a sore neck. Now I just glide through- still can't believe it works!

Jenniferturkington · 17/10/2017 17:12

Tangle teaser plus johnson's detangler spray works for all my kids.

badasscafe1 · 17/10/2017 17:13

tangle teaser and cowboy magic detangler... and keep it in plaits as much as possible - and always in plaits overnight...

MrsJayy · 17/10/2017 17:14

Oh yes Dd uses the aussie shampoo too and her hair looks great it used to resemble straw for years

DrPill · 17/10/2017 17:15

Yes, we have a Tangle Teezer which helps.

She only likes her hair down which may be making it worse. A few of you have recommended plaits so I'll try to talk her into that.

OP posts:
DrPill · 17/10/2017 17:16

We have Aussie just now but it hasn't made a difference.

OP posts:
Livedandlearned · 17/10/2017 17:19

My dd has the same problem, and I detangled very matted hair using a spray bottle filled 2 thirds with warm water, a tablespoon of conditioner and a tablespoon of olive oil. It was amazing. To keep up the knot free hair she uses only shampoo that contains no silicone. Loreal elvive extraordinary oil shampoo is great for her hair where others seen to make her hair worse. Good luck op!

Alabasterangel6 · 17/10/2017 17:20

There is a product called sweethearts hair de tangler which is some sort of voodoo in a bottle. Don't be put off by the price it lasts for ages. I've recommended it to loads of people who've said the same and it's a little independent UK company not far from me which makes me happy too (disclaimer: I don't know them or have any connection to them, honest!!). I buy it from my local hairdressers who also stock it but she has a website I think and def a Facebook page (sweethearts hair design). That and a tangle teezer. And sleeping with it in a loose plait.

MrsJayy · 17/10/2017 17:20

The Aussie shampoo makes my hair frizzy I have tried a few different ones. See if she will have the plaits in at night to start with and maybe dont wash her hair as much see if it makes a difference

Alabasterangel6 · 17/10/2017 17:21

Link: m.facebook.com/sweetheartshair/?locale2=en_GB

Jasminedes · 17/10/2017 17:22

Its wearing the plaits in bed that helps. My two went through this stage, I relate.

Notreallyarsed · 17/10/2017 17:22

www.birchbox.co.uk/product/1045

I use this for mine and DDs hair, mine is thick, frizzy and unmanageable and hers is fine, flyaway and tangles really badly. It sorts it for both of us. Wide tooth comb to initially detangle, then a tangle teezer brush and French plaits (for her not me)

Abijam · 17/10/2017 17:25

My DD has the same problem.Whenever she sleeps and wakes up, all of the hair at the back are tangled and its so difficult to brush it. So I have started plaiting them every night plus applying hair oil and it works. None of the conditioners worked for me.

chajazam · 17/10/2017 17:35

not sure how she sleeps but I would never sleep with hair down. Either French plait. Pineapple or scarf to sleep.

twobambinos · 17/10/2017 17:41

You have my sympathies. My dad has very long straight hair in great condition regular cuts etc but the knots are a nightmare. Gave her a bath yesterday no knots going into the bath. And matted coming out. Can't brush through conditioner in the bath it literally takes 20mins to half hour to brush through the knots. Have started brushing twice a day and up in plaits. Might try the loreal shampoo I have it for myself

MrsDoylesTeabags · 17/10/2017 17:47

Hair products are a bit trial and error really, it can be expensive but don't persevere with something that's not working and when you find what does work stick with it. Try washing less often, and try washing with just conditioner every other wash, comb through with a wide tooth comb. Never comb dry hair. Never go to bed with loose hair, that's why she's getting knots. Plaits or braids will keep it neater and therefore improve the condition of her hair.

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