Matted Hair

[moosearr]

Please don't hate on me. I really need a bit of encouragement.

I've had a horrible few years in terms of physical health, mental health and life circumstances. I'm trying to put the pieces back together and move forward. I can't do it all in one day.

So my long hair is matted. I know, yuck, but it's done now.

There are long, involved reasons why I'd rather comb it out than cut it off. One of which is that my hair has really thinned out over being ill and I need the extra length to wind around and hide that.

So I'm on my own tonight trying to comb it out. I felt like I was making progress, having to be quite rough and loads has broken/come out.

I just feel like this isn't working somehow. There is a huge part at the back that doesn't seem to want to shift.

If anyone can just give me a bit of encouragement that would be really nice.

My sister struggles with her mental health and sometimes when she's going through a tough patch she let's herself go - for want of a better phrase - and gets matted hair.

I have on a few occasions gone through it for her, using loads of conditioner and just combing it the from the bottom. It does take a while but it gets done.

She has also shown me recently, her combing it out by herself. It does take ages but definitely doable by yourself if you have no one to give you a hand.
Just take it slowly and as much as you can feel, go from bottom of matt to the top.
You will get there, keep going with it.
Have a tea break when your arms get tired then get back to it.
Good luck

Slowly does it and take some breaks so your head and arm doesn’t get too sore. Could you sleep on conditioner/hair mask to let it infuse?

As above, work on the ends first and then go upwards. Loads of conditioner, just a cheap one for the brushing part, and if you feel yourself getting frustrated give yourself a break. Nothing that won't wait until tomorrow.

If you do need to cut it off please don't worry. It will look better just for getting rid of the damaged hair.

Well done on taking a step to recovery.

I've been ill in the past and had matted hair 😩 you need to spritz with a conditioner/water mixture and just power through short quick combs. Good luck

If you try and comb it through when it is wet it will be stretch and break.

Coat loads of conditioner on it, then wrap in a turban, preferably a micro fibre one. Leave it on for 15 mins. Then lean over the bath or shower and slowly swoosh water over it to the ends of your hair as you wash it out. Gently use your fingers to get the worst of the tangles out

Then apply plenty of a good product (I use Revlon Uniq1 coconut hair treatment) right to the ends and leave it a few minutes. This is a detangler, leave in conditioner and heat protectant. Then use a wide toothed comb or tangle tweezer brush to start at the ends and gradually ease it out.

@Turnthatlightoff thank you, it sounds like you are a great sister :)

I've had another go. Now going to take a break and then crack on again.

@Brogues I could do but I have had a couple of failed attempts unfortunately.

You can absolutely do this- people can brush out an entire head of dreadlocks, so you can defo get a mat out.

Look for "brushing out dreadlocks" on YouTube. Involves a lot of time, patience, a rat tail comb and a shed load of conditioner.

Big fluffy towel around your shoulders. Favourite movie on. Separate your hair, as best you can, into manageable sections, and then using Aussie way spray leave in conditioner and a tangle teezer slowly brush it out. Be gentle. You've got this 🏆💐

Good luck op you can do it. My dd has really tangly hair which she hates me brushing so it only gets done once or twice a week. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve told her I’m sure this time we’ll have to shave it off but somehow I always manage to get it looking beautiful.
I use a cheap cruelty free hair oil from home bargains, can’t remember the name, and a tangle teezer brush and only when her hair is freshly washed, conditioned and still wet. Work from the ends up and in sections as and when you can get a bit sectioned off from the whole and take your time. Dds hair goes from this to this. Seriously, if I can tame dds mop, you can fix yours!