Hair Detanglers

Hair detanglers are leave in sprays, milks and creams that add slip so a brush or comb moves through knots without snapping the hair. They overlap with leave in conditioners, but a detangler is usually lighter and meant to be used on wet or damp hair straight after washing. The first decision is the weight of the formula, because it decides how the hair feels once dry.

Light sprays suit fine or straight hair and children's hair that tangles after swimming or washing, since they rinse clean at the next wash and do not weigh the lengths down. Creamier milks and lotions suit thick, curly and coily hair, where more slip and moisture make wide tooth combing or finger detangling much easier. If your hair is easily weighed down, spray a little on the ends first and add more only where knots remain.

The next choice is scent and ingredients. Many detanglers made for children have a strong fruity fragrance, and some include silicones, oils or proteins. People with a sensitive scalp may prefer a fragrance free formula and should keep the product on the lengths rather than the roots.

Before buying, check whether the product is meant for wet or dry hair, the size of the bottle and the type of sprayer, since a fine mist covers hair more evenly than a jet. Pair it with a wide tooth comb or a brush made for detangling, and work from the ends up to the roots.

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