If your comb stops at the nape, free the last few inches first. A long stroke from the roots pushes little knots together until they tighten at the ends.
Choose the right moment
Blot fine straight hair after washing and let it dry a little before combing. Tightly curled hair may separate more easily in the shower with conditioner for slip. Let the texture guide you.
Undo a knot one section at a time
- Isolate the strand and hold it just above the knot so the movement does not pull on the scalp.
- Ease the edges of the knot apart with your fingertips. Run a wide-tooth comb through the part you have already freed.
- Move up a few inches and repeat. If the comb keeps catching, return to your fingers instead of forcing it.
When the same ends catch after every wash
Before replacing the brush, check where your conditioner lands. The top layer may get all of it while the nape stays dry. Separate that section next wash and smooth some of the same dose over it.
See our conditioner dosing guide and the American Academy of Dermatology’s detangling advice .