Detangle Matted Hair

Q: My question is whether you know of anything that can be done for someone who has been lying in a hospital bed for approximately three weeks and has a massive ball of matted hair. I've tried to talk her into cutting it, but that's out of the question. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know.

A: Depending on the texture of the hair, its condition, and the amount of friction it has endured against the hospital pillow, you are dealing with a difficult situation; but it is possible to save her hair without cutting it.

When curly or coarse hair is left undisturbed under friction, the hair fibers can interlock and begin to "felt" into a compact, dense mass. While severe felting is incredibly challenging, you can absolutely dismantle the mat if you have a lot of patience, the right products, and a gentle touch. Since cutting is strictly out of the question, you must avoid scissors entirely, as cutting into the knot will permanently damage the hair structure and leave her with accidental short layers once it is combed out.

Here is a safe, highly effective step-by-step method to restore her hair:

1. Saturate, Do Not Massage

Get a bottle of a heavy, silicone-based conditioner, a deep conditioning mask, or a professional detangler. While natural oils like olive oil provide lubrication, a high-slip cosmetic conditioner breaks surface tension much better.

Gently press and squeeze the product into the matted mass until it is completely saturated. DO NOT massage, rub, or scrub the hair, as the friction from rubbing will only encourage the fibers to pack tighter together. Let the product sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the hair shaft.

2. Isolate and Section

Do not try to tackle the entire mass at once. Use your fingers to gently pull a very small, thin section of hair away from the outer edge or the very bottom of the matted ball. Working in tiny, manageable sections prevents the patient from experiencing unnecessary pain and keeps the task organized.

3. Work from the Bottom Up

Instead of a standard wide-tooth comb - which can catch and rip the hair when the knot is this dense - start by using your fingers or the fine metal tip of a rat-tail comb to gently tease single strands free. Always start at the very bottom "ends" of the hair section and slowly work your way up toward the scalp.

Once a small section is completely free and smoothed out, immediately braid it or clip it securely away from the rest of the mass. If you leave it loose, it will simply get sucked back into the main mat while you work.

4. Work in Sessions

Because the hair has been matting for three weeks, completely detangling it can take several hours. To prevent the patient from becoming exhausted or sore from sitting in a hospital bed, break the process down into 30-to-45-minute sessions over several days. Keep a spray bottle of water and extra conditioner nearby to re-saturate the hair if it begins to dry out.

As long as you work slowly, gently, and stick to a strict bottom-up approach, you can completely dismantle the mass without sacrificing hair length.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

How to get rid of tangled hair

Hair care for bedridden individuals