matted hair

**Ceashels** · 07-02-2010, 02:48 PM

Our 4 yr old neighbor (girl) gets to come over now and again to play with the dogs, help with planting and weeding my garden (very limited). If it is hot and she's been good, she can run around in the sprinkler as well. Today she wanted to stay dry so we sat on the porch steps and I tried to comb the knots out of her hair (just over shoulder length).

HELP!

We're not talking tangles or knots, I'm trying to get out matted clumps. I have some Pantene spray in conditioner that has helped some and she will sit long enough for me to work on it that is equal to her eating a dumdum lollipop. She really tolerated this first session very well but I just don't think dreadlocks look good on a little 4 yr old girl!

Other than clippers ... any ideas?

Should I try mayonnaise then wash her hair? I really don't want to step on her Mom's toes on this but I had long hair when I was her age and ended up with pixie cuts so my mother wouldn't need to deal with it. (and I'm still not over that!)

**ladykemma2** · 07-02-2010, 03:15 PM

use your fingers to detangle and work from the outside in.

(I'm a former long hair)

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-02-2010, 03:26 PM

Have you tried Johnson and Johnson No More Tangles? You can get the generic really cheap. Works on my wild one's hair.

**nodmicks** · 07-02-2010, 04:50 PM

Use a wide tooth comb, start at the bottom and slowly work up. When we have a child with this issue in the shop we use a product for shine and smoothness like BioSilk and lay it on so thick the hair looks greasy and then comb it out. It contains silicones and gives the hair lots of "slip".

**monkeywrangler71** · 07-03-2010, 11:30 AM

My daughter's hair does this. Doesn't matter if I brush it 50 times a day, it will be matted up within minutes of being loose or her laying down.

We've used the spray in conditioner, but it doesn't do any good so I just take a handful of regular conditioner and squish it in her matted hair, then start combing from the bottom.

I only bother with it if we are going somewhere, because I know it's going to look the same 5 minutes later anyway.

**frugalfoster** · 07-03-2010, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by nodmicks

Use a wide tooth comb, start at the bottom and slowly work up. When we have a child with this issue in the shop we use a product for shine and smoothness like BioSilk and lay it on so thick the hair looks greasy and then comb it out. It contains silicones and gives the hair lots of "slip".

Yep I second this.....

**thesightofoneself** · 07-03-2010, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

use your fingers to detangle and work from the outside in.

(I'm a former long hair)

i'm an in to out kind of gal with lots of conditioner. so i guess it depends on the person.

**cab54** · 07-03-2010, 02:18 PM

Are you doing it while it's wet? I'd have it drippy wet and then use bottle rinse-out conditioner (not spray)--the slipperiest kind you have--and then work on it. Like ladykemma said----bottom of the tangle, on up.

My sisters and I ended up with pixie cuts some summers, also, for the same reason. My poor mother had 4 daughters. Trying to do ponytails every morning to get it off our necks (and keep untangled) got old for mom after awhile.

Once again I'm reminded how easy my boys were.........

**ttistin** · 07-07-2010, 04:21 PM

After my 8 year old gets out of the pool and she doesn't brush it right away it will get like this, So I have to take some conditioner in my hand and rub it in her hair. I then take her brush and starting at the bottom brush it out. It can take a while and if I don't have enough conditioner on her hair it will pull on her head but just add a little more conditioner and brush away.

**lisaflex** · 07-07-2010, 07:40 PM

yep. wide toothed "shower comb" works wonders!

mix a GOOD quality conditioner w/ a bit of water in your hands and rub it on or mix in spray bottle. let it sit awhile. then begin at the bottom as the others suggested. it does work!

before running in sprinkler or swimming, if you put a conditioner in the hair, it helps TONS! we have learned this over the yrs as we have a pool in the yard and dd goes to camp and swims also. there is a pretty pricey product from aveda called color conserve. yes, it is for colored hair, but, that bing said, it works wonders to help w/ keeping at least some of the tangles at bay.

that poor little thing. it has to hurt!

i also find that the blue bottle of that cholorine removal shampoo i think it is called ultra, removes lots of tangles while washing.

**HeatSeeker** · 07-10-2010, 12:55 AM

Get a moisturizing conditioner and a wide tooth comb or a large paddle brush. Load her head with conditioner and comb from the bottom up gently. Works like a charm

**TheresaRHPS** · 07-10-2010, 07:14 AM

I'm gonna have to try some of these tips on myself, lol. My hair grows in weird directions, so the bottom layer will get SUPER matted, no matter what I do. Even the top layer will re-tangle itself seconds after its brushed. I've tried so many detangler sprays, leave in conditions, and products over the years, and nothing seems to really work for that long.

I've finally had to resort to keeping my hair a little above my shoulders, and the bottom part a little shorter. I'm told I have extremely healthy hair...its just a little unruly, lol.

**ladytoysdream** · 07-10-2010, 11:14 AM

My hair is so long that I sit on it easily.

If I get a snarl, I have to start at the bottom and work my way up to it. And or I use my fingers to pull the hair loose in small sections in a bad snarl, that the brush won't work on.
I usually wear it in a ponytail or a high ponytail in the summer.
Sometimes I braid it.

I rarely use conditioner. I have been told by a doll collector that conditioner works really well on detangling doll's hair too.