Manage Thick Hair

Thick hair can be tricky to manage. It is more prone to difficult knots and tangles, and it can quickly grow greasy when it hasn't been washed. Wash your hair often, brush it regularly, and use oils and conditioners to keep it sleek. You can also thin your hair, straighten it, or cut it short if you want to eliminate the problem altogether.

Steps

Washing Thick Hair

1. Wash your hair at least twice a week. If your hair is especially unmanageable, wash it every other day. When left unwashed, thick hair can build up grease and grime, and it can tangle wildly out of control. Use shampoo and conditioner, but not every day. Shampoo helps keep your hair from getting too greasy, and conditioner helps tame it so that it doesn't grow too wild.
   • Be careful not to wash your hair every day. If you overuse shampoo and conditioner—particularly products with nutrient-leaching acids and chemicals—you will wash out the essential oils that keep your hair naturally sleek and grease-free. Furthermore, drying your hair can take a lot of time and eat into a busy schedule.
2. Wash your hair with lukewarm water. Warm water will relax your hair follicles, making your hair softer and easier to handle. Avoid hot water, which can actually damage your hair.
3. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the palms of your hand and massage it into your hair. After you add the shampoo, add some conditioner to your hair and scalp and let it dry for at least 30 minutes. This will make your hair soft and manageable. It will also allow the conditioner to soak in your hair and scalp.
   • Don't condition your whole head. Only put conditioner from the middle to the ends of your hair—conditioning the top of your head could bring back the greasy look.
4. Let your hair air-dry. Blow-dryers can actually damage your hair with excessive heat, and towel-drying may only serve to tangle your hair further. If you do use a blow-dryer, make sure to use it on a low-heat setting. Too much heat could dry out your hair and undo all of the conditioning.

Brushing Thick Hair

1. Tame your hair with a wide-toothed brush or comb. Don't use a coarse brush like boar bristle—stiff brushes may damage your hair or even tear it out.
2. Brush your hair in the shower. When you shower, directly after conditioning, run a brush/comb through your hair repeatedly until it feels like silk.
3. Brush your hair when you get out of the shower. Your hair may feel perfect already, but brush it again to remove even the tiniest of tangles. It will be easier to deal with it now than in the morning. 30 minutes after you shower, comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Work through the ends, then the middle, and then the scalp. This will help you de-tangle the hair.
4. Finger-brush your hair throughout the day. Get into the habit of running your hands through your locks to check for knots. Find the tangles before they get out of hand, and you may not have to deal with thick, twisted hair later on. Run your fingers through a knot to open it up.
   • Consider carrying a small comb or brush with you in a bag or purse. You can use this to keep your hair in check throughout the day and brush out knots as soon as they appear.
5. Plait your hair before bed. When you sleep, your hair rubs against the pillowcase, and thick hair tends to twist into knots. If you weave your hair or put it up overnight, you will be much less likely to develop knots and tangles while you sleep. It is much easier to brush and go in the morning if your hair is sleek and tangle-free.

Oils, Masks, and Haircuts

1. Cut your hair short. Short hair is much easier to deal with. It is also less likely to develop split ends, which add extra bulk and frizz to hair. Look at pictures of short hairstyles and try to find something that captures your fancy.
2. Use hair-thinning shears to remove some of the bulk from your hair. Thinning shears cut some strands short, but leave others long so that your hairstyle does not look significantly shorter. Ask a hairdresser to thin out your hair when he/she gives you a trim, or buy your own shears to do it yourself. You can find thinning scissors anywhere that sells hairdressing equipment—try beauty-product stores and pharmacies.
   • Consider getting layers cut into your hair, or try layering your hair yourself. Layers may make your hair feel much brighter, and they may bring out some natural volume—especially if you have curly hair.
   • If your hair is thick and curly, consider straightening your locks with a hair straightener. You can do this yourself or ask a hairdresser to help out. Your hair may feel even thinner and lighter if it's straight.
3. Take fish oil supplements to keep your hair sleek and healthy. Look for a quality omega-3 fish oil at a health-food or herbal remedy store. Fish oil helps prevent dandruff, buildup, and grease, and it even keeps your skin looking healthy. Take it as the packaging recommends—usually about a tablespoon a day
4. Use oils and hair masks to soften and moisturize your hair. Rub oils directly into your hair for a natural conditioner. Consider using argan oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, almond oil, and even olive oil. Many natural hair products contain at least a few of these ingredients, but you can also apply the pure oils on their own.
   • Try deep-conditioning your hair with a hot oil treatment once a month. This will help your hair stay smooth and tangle-free for longer periods of time.
5. Try sleeping with vinegar in your hair to make it shinier. Combine equal increments of white vinegar and warm water, and put the mixture into your hair every night. Wrap your hair in aluminum foil and a scarf when you sleep. In the morning, wash the vinegar out with shampoo and conditioner. Do this for three weeks in a row, and your hair should look as shiny as ever.

Tips

• Always comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb. This is especially important when your hair is wet, as it may prevent split ends.
• Avoid using chemicals, sprays, or irons that will damage your hair. Use curlers or anything non-electrical.
• Maintain your hair by going to a salon, or condition it yourself with hot oil once a month.
• Cut your hair and split ends once a month. Thin out the roots to keep it from tangling.
• If you know a local gym/spa in your area, go there and see if there is a sauna/steam room. Put a lot of conditioner and shampoo in your hair, then comb it thoroughly. Lay in the sauna/steam room for 10-30 minutes. The hair products will soak into your follicles and tame your hair.

Warnings

• Avoid using rubber bands in your hair. They will make your hair even more tangled, and they may cause hair loss.
• Never blow dry your hair for more than 30 minutes. It will create terrible damage to your hair and may cause it to fall out.
• Don't wash your hair every day. If you do, you will wash out all of the natural oils in your hair.

Related Articles

• Style Curly Hair
• Get Curly Hair to Turn Into Wavy Hair
• Condition Curly Hair
• Tame Naturally Curly Hair

See also

• Prevent Hair from Frizzing After Shower
• Make Your Hair Grow Faster
• Do a Deep Treatment
• Get Rid of Dry Hair and Dry Scalp
• Get Rid of Tangles in Your Hair
• Get Rid of Greasy Hair
• Use Lemon Juice to Lighten Hair
• Remove Hair Build up Naturally
• Use Mayonnaise as a Hair Conditioner
• Turn Dry Hair to Healthy Hair

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