Tangle happens when two strands of hair wrap around each other and become intertwined. Once a couple of strands are stuck together, the knot can become bigger and harder to remove.
Every day, strands of your hair are shed as part of a healthy hair life cycle. If your hair is smooth and straight, it has an easier time escaping from your scalp.
But textured hair and damaged hair typically aren’t smooth. That’s because the cuticles, the outer layer of the hair shaft, often don’t lie flat.
So, instead of falling away, these loose strands are more prone to getting wrapped around other strands when they’re released from your scalp, causing knots to form.
Another way knots can form is by rubbing your hair against certain surfaces, like towels, sheets, or pillowcases. It’s one of the reasons why you may wake up with those bedhead tangles in your hair.
Although tangled hair can happen to anyone, the following types of hair tend to be more prone to knots:
1. heat-damaged, sun-damaged, or bleach-damaged hair
2. hair that’s prone to breakage
3. hair that’s longer than shoulder length
4. naturally curly hair
5. dry hair
6. hair that’s vigorously combed or scratched
7. hair that’s regularly exposed to hot styling tools
8. hair frequently treated with products that contain alcohol, such as hairspray, mousse, or gel
