Tangled hair is a pain, literally. Knots are difficult to comb out and they can cause your hair to break. While longer hair and curly hair are more prone to matting, everyone should follow these tips to help prevent snarls.

1. Brush before you wash.

Gently glide a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush through your hair before washing. This helps stop knots from forming when you shampoo.

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2. Always condition after shampooing.

Massage a generous amount of conditioner into your hair, paying particular attention to the ends. Use your fingers to remove any knots you encounter. After working through all of the snarls, lightly pull a wide-tooth comb through your hair. The conditioner should help the comb glide smoothly through your tresses. If your hair is thick, coarse or tightly curled, try conditioning twice and using a leave-in treatment.

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3. Dry gently.

Beware of the “towel turban” as the twisting motion can cause tangling or breakage. Rubbing hair dry with a rough towel isn’t the best idea either. Instead, pat hair dry and gently squeeze excess water out of your tresses.

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4. Seal your ends.

After conditioning, spread a sealant over the tips of your hair to lock in moisture. This step will also help avoid snarls as it keeps your ends from twisting around themselves.

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5. Put hair up before exercising

Whether you’re playing sports, swimming or just being active, help prevent tangles by loosely pulling hair into a bun, ponytail or braids. The idea is to restrict your hair’s movement to lessen the chances of matting. Avoid damage to your hair by placing your buns and ponytails on different areas of your head. Chignon alopecia, or hair loss near the crown, can occur when you wear your hair pulled back tightly in the same spot for extended periods of time.

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6. Use wind protection

When the wind is blowing, it can whip your hair into a snarled mess in seconds. Wear a hat or scarf to protect your hair from the elements. You can also pull your hair back into a more protective style to keep it from blowing all over the place.

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7. Care for your hair even while you’re sleeping

Cotton bedding is commonplace, but your hair can catch on cotton pillowcases causing snarling while you sleep. Opt for a smooth fabric like silk or polished cotton for your pillowcase. Not ready to make the switch? Try wrapping your hair in a silky scarf or satin head wrap before bed.

Beautiful, smooth hair can be yours by following these easy tips. Preventing knots means you’ll spend less time on your hair and more time enjoying your favorite activities. When it comes to tangles, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Interested in other ways to protect and care for your hair? Check out our hair growth products and services.