My husband and I are in our 60s. He loves my hair, and has requested that I grow it long for him. So I thought I should at least give it a try. For some strange reason, I didn't remember that it can get matted if it is not brushed out often. I have tried detangler sprays. I even found a special brush for tangles at a local store. It is really a mess. I spent about 3 hours on it yesterday. My arms hurt, and my scalp hurts. Any ideas? Help.
By Lois
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Maybe it would be a nice idea to head to your local cosmetology school, maybe once a month or so, to get a nice shampoo and set or blow dry. Just having that done for you would make your hair easier to maintain in between. Always comb your hair or use a detangling brush at night before bed to keep it untangled.
Do something protective, such as a satin pillowcase or cap, or a nice braid or even tie it into a ponytail with an elastic loop or satiny scarf at bedtime; that would help. Always start at the ends when detangling, the process goes faster when you work your way up instead of starting where the tangles are.
When you wear a sweater or other rough or highly textured fabric, wear your hair up (an up-do/bun or ponytail), because that kind of fabric grabs and tangles the hair. If you need to use something to detangle with, a little moisturizing conditioner (about a tablespoon) mixed well in a spray bottle filled with water will help a lot-mist the offending area, wait a minute or so, then start detangling.
Use fairly large teeth or bristles on your styling tools, and use your fingers to check for snags on your styling tools before you buy them. Make sure you get trims regularly-once every 2-3 months, either get a trim at a salon, or trim off a small amount of the ends yourself. If you have regular trims you won't need to have a lot trimmed off each time.
Over time you will begin to be able to feel when you need a trim-your comb will drag through your ends and the ends will tangle or break more easily. It seems like a lot, but once you get your routine all sorted out, it will be effortless.
My source for my suggestions is personal experiences-I once had waist length curly hair, and for 10 years I was a cosmetologist with a lot of long-hair clients of all ages, from all sorts of cultures and nationalities. Once you learn your hair detangling will take maybe 2 or 3 minutes.
First of all, when you wash your hair, use a conditioner. I have found that if you dillute it in warm water before you put it on it works better and you don't use as much. I like Alberto VO5 shampoos because they seem to immediately disperse in the water.
After shampooing and rinsing, pour the dilluted conditioner over all your hair. Use a big tooth comb and comb any tangles out then rinse. After towel drying your hair, again, use the big toothed comb and comb out any tangles, then dry or dry and set your hair.
Before you go to bed, again use the big toothed comb and get rid of any tangles. then brush. If our hair is long enough you can lightly braid it. Then upon waking use the comb again and brush. It does help to comb and brush your hair every day. My hair does not seem to tangle as much when it is permed.
Hi Lois,
I am in my sixties and have had long hair most of my life. Braid your hair at night before going to bed. I have fine hair and never suffer from tangles.
Dear Lois,
I send my best wishes to you with growing your hair, it can really be a "crowning glory", but it can be a real pain and a lot of work and care. It sounds like you might have dry hair, as I do sometimes. Like the posts recommend, keep it conditioned, and I even will put a little jojoba or almond oil on it while wearing between shampoos - just a little till you see if you like it. This has helped me with lessening tangles.
But the most important thing I always say, is to prevent them in the first place! Control your hair with a braid, one of those lace up things for a long ponytail, or in a bun with plastic hair pins. Watch out that your metal barettes and clamps don't break your hair, and don't ever let it "fly in the breeze" it snaps off the ends-making split ends, and tangles like crazy.
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