Every now and then I get a tangled mess situation. One example would be an old unit. They tend to get knotted if stored without a good cleaning first. MY normal approach is just lots of conditioner, soaking, and combing. Seems this is not a good method as I just loose too much of the hair. Any ideas?

Sounds like you're looking for advice on products to use. Well, other than suggesting any basic detangler, I can't really help you out on that front. I would, however, suggest that you use a pick rather than a comb in working tangles out. I lose a lot less hair with a pick than a comb.

And by a "pick," I mean the kind of pick that some folks use on an afro. Works well for me.

I think JRob did a reply recently regarding this type of thing... it`s something to do with these `scales` opening on the hair shaft when exposed to hot water and then closing again and the hair shafts getting tangled .. I`ll try to find it later ..I may have the `gist`of it wrong now ..but that`s just off the top of my head [no pun !! lol ] paul.

I can`t find the exact reply I was thinking of, but here`s a similar one I found.. Jrob will probably enlighten us later when he reads this thread....

09-02-2009, 05:18 AM Post: #7
JRob
Posting Freak

Posts: 1,011
Joined: Aug 2008
Re: combing matted hair
Keep in mind that hair tangling is mainly due to the remaining cuticle getting caught with cuticles running in the opposite direction.

A satin pillowcase doesn't hurt (but is mainly to help the unit retain moisture) but if you use the right maintenance products you shouldn't have this problem.

interesting, thx guys.

More than likely this is happening because you are using come kind of product that has too high of a pH level, which makes the hair shaft swell and opens any remaining cuticle.

I had this issue back in the days when I was using an "all natural" shampoo. I thought that just because it was natural and sulfate free that it had to be good for the hair. It wasn't until I started working with a laboratory that I understood why the hair would always feel like wet cardboard when I was washing, but I now know that the shampoo I was using was actually damaging the hair.

You need to keep the hair shaft nice and tight during the entire wash cycle. Using a slightly acidic shampoo and conditioner with COOL water, followed by a silicone based sealer should do the trick.