Detangling for Curly and Coily Kids - Tips and Tricks

Embracing and Caring for Your Child’s Curly Hair

Detangling curly or coily hair, especially for children, can often feel like a challenge. Natural curls are beautiful, but they need extra care and gentle handling to stay healthy and manageable. The process doesn’t have to be time-consuming or uncomfortable for your child—in fact, with the right tools, products, and techniques, you can turn detangling into a positive, bonding experience.

This guide will walk you through effective strategies for detangling curly or coily hair in a way that minimizes pain, prevents breakage, and keeps your child’s hair healthy and hydrated.

Start with the Right Products: Hydration is Key

One of the best ways to make detangling easier is to ensure the hair is well-hydrated. Moisturized curls are softer, more pliable, and less prone to breakage, making it easier to separate strands without tugging or causing pain.
RevAir’s Extreme Hydration Hydrating Leave-In Spray is an excellent option for keeping curls hydrated while you detangle. This leave-in spray adds moisture, making the hair smoother and more manageable. The hydrating spray contains ingredients like coconut water and shea butter, which are known to help soften curls, making them easier to comb through without damaging the hair shaft.
How to Use: Spray the Extreme Hydration Leave-In generously on damp hair before detangling. The product will add a layer of moisture that helps prevent hair from snagging or breaking during the detangling process.

Choose the Right Detangling Tools

The tools you use are just as important as the products when it comes to detangling curly or coily hair. Using a tool specifically designed for textured hair can make the process smoother and reduce the chances of breakage.

The Wright Detangling Comb is designed by professional hairstylist Ladosha Wright, who has dedicated her career to understanding and caring for textured hair. This comb has widely spaced teeth that work exceptionally well for curly and coily hair, gently separating knots without causing tension or stress on delicate strands. Its design allows you to work through hair methodically, ensuring you can glide through each section with ease.How to Use: Start detangling from the ends and work your way up to the roots. This way, you can slowly loosen knots and tangles without yanking at the hair, which can lead to breakage.

Work in Sections to Avoid Overwhelm

Curly and coily hair can quickly become overwhelming if tackled all at once, so breaking the hair into sections is a simple yet powerful strategy to make detangling manageable. Not only does sectioning give you more control, but it also allows you to focus on one area at a time, reducing the likelihood of tangling or matting.
How to Section: Divide the hair into at least four sections (or more for very thick hair) and secure each section with a gentle clip or hair tie. Once you’ve completed one section, move on to the next, applying more leave-in spray if necessary to keep each section hydrated.

Use Gentle Techniques: Finger Detangle First

One effective technique is to start with finger detangling. By gently working through tangles with your fingers before using a comb, you can remove larger knots without putting too much strain on the hair. This approach can be particularly helpful for kids, as it reduces the pulling sensation that can cause discomfort.

How to Finger Detangle: Work with each section one by one. With damp hair and a generous amount of leave-in spray, gently separate individual strands and work through any knots with your fingers. After finger detangling, you can use The Wright Detangling Comb to smooth out each section further.

Detangle During Bath or Shower Time

Detangling can be easier and less painful when done during bath or shower time, as water adds natural slip to the hair. This extra moisture can help reduce friction and make it easier to slide through tangles. Use a mild, hydrating conditioner like the Deep Conditioning Treatment from the Extreme Hydration Collection.
In the Shower Routine: After shampooing, apply a Deep Conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes before detangling. Use a comb or your fingers to gently work through each section while the conditioner is still in the hair. The added moisture makes it easier to comb through tangles without pulling or snagging.

Be Patient and Gentle

Detangling natural hair takes time and patience, especially with children. Avoid rushing, as this can lead to pulling and discomfort for your child. It’s helpful to make detangling a fun and relaxing experience by creating a positive environment. Use calming music, a favorite show, or even snacks to keep them comfortable and engaged.

Mindset Tips for Detangling: Remind yourself and your child that detangling is part of keeping their curls healthy and beautiful. When you approach the process with patience, it not only reduces stress but also helps you catch any knots early, preventing them from becoming larger and more difficult to manage.

Reinforce with a Leave-In After Detangling

After you’ve worked through all the tangles, applying a final layer of leave-in conditioner can help keep the hair hydrated and protected until the next detangling session. The Hydrating Leave-In Spray is lightweight, so it won’t weigh down curls, but it still helps keep hair soft, making it less prone to tangling throughout the day.
Post-Detangle Care: Mist the leave-in spray over the entire head and scrunch gently to encourage curl formation. This step helps the hair retain moisture and prepares it for styling. It also reinforces the effects of the previous detangling steps by keeping the curls soft, flexible, and easy to manage.

Establish a Detangling Routine

Creating a consistent detangling routine can make the process smoother each time and help prevent major tangles from forming. Set a regular detangling schedule based on your child’s unique hair type and activity level. For most curly and coily hair, detangling once or twice a week works well, though very active children or those with especially tangle-prone hair may benefit from more frequent detangling.

A Gentle Approach to Beautiful, Manageable Curls

Detangling your child’s natural curly or coily hair doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right products, tools, and techniques, you can make it an enjoyable experience that encourages healthy hair habits for the future. Remember to prioritize hydration, use a wide toothed for gentle combing, and always approach detangling with patience.