Why is My Hair so Tangled After Washing? 10 Reasons Why

By: | Last Updated: October 19, 2023

Have you noticed that your hair gets tangled after washing?

It’s not just you. I’ve been noticing this too and it has me a little worried.

Is there something in my shampoo or conditioner that is causing the tangles? Why does it seem like my hair gets more tangled when I use more product?

This blog post will answer these questions and many others, so read on!

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If you frequently get tangles, I highly recommend the BIOLAGE Hydrasource Detangling Solution. Use it after shampooing, in place of your regular conditioner.


It’s Not Just the Weather

I have been a little confused lately.. I ask myself why is my hair so tangled after washing?

I used to think that it was because of the time of year.

But even in the summer, when my hair tangles less than during other seasons, I am still finding myself with tangled locks!

There are many reasons this could be happening, and we will talk about 15 of them today. With this list, you’re bound to find the one (or three!) that’s causing your tangles and deal with it.

Let’s get started!


Reasons Why Hair Gets Tangled After Washing:

1. Not Rinsing Well Enough After Washing

girl washing hair in the shower

One of the most common reasons tangled hair happens is that people leave product in their hair without rinsing it out thoroughly. This can lead to tangled strands and knots.

If not rinsed out properly, conditioner can easily weigh down your hair making it more prone to tangling. I try to always use a leave in conditioner after washing my hair, but even then there are times when I need a little extra help detangling. 

Make sure you are giving your strands a good scrubbing with shampoo and conditioner for them to stay strong and prevent knots!

2. Not Using Conditioner

Tangled hair may happen if you aren’t conditioning them well enough! Conditioner coats hair with a layer that helps prevent tangling. Use a conditioner every time you wash your hair – it will help seal in moisture, preventing tangles.

When washing your hair, make sure to use conditioner as well to keep hair from tangling in the future. It is also important not just for getting knots out of our strands but also for keeping them beautiful and healthy!

3. Using the wrong type of shampoo and conditioner

This is also another reason knotted hair can happen.

In some cases, tangled hair may just be due to not using the right shampoo or conditioner. If this is the case with you, consider trying other more moisturizing products and see if it helps!

If you use a sulfate-free shampoo instead of one with sulfates, it could be causing your hair to tangle.

Sulfates make the cuticle (top layer of cells) slippery which allows any dirt or oil to slide off more easily. This leaves less residue in your hair and makes it easier for your comb or brush to glide through without catching on anything.

4. Too Much Product

Another reason tangled hair comes about could be from putting too much product in your locks.

This can make them stiff and tangled easier than they would if you were using the right amount. You may have a lot of product build-up on your scalp, which is causing tangles and knots.

5. Washing in Hot Water

If you are washing your locks in really hot water, this can also cause tangled hair.

Hot water strips the natural oils and moisture out of your strands more easily than if you washed them at lower temperatures. This can make your hair frizzy and tangled.

If you have this problem, try washing your locks in cooler water with a good conditioner that will protect the natural oils of the strands. This way you’ll get rid of any product build up on your scalp while still keeping moisture and oil locked in place!

6. Not properly detangling before washing

One of the reasons why tangled hair happens is when you don’t properly detangle your locks before showering.

If this has been the case with you, try to do that next time and see how it goes! Brush you hair to get rid of the tangles that are already there. You’ll lessen your chances of getting tangled hair after washing.

7. Not brushing wet ends

When it comes to tangles, one mistake people make is neglecting to brush their wet ends when they get out of a shower or bath.

You should start detangling the ends first, before moving up. If you only get knotty hair at the ends, then maybe it’s time to trim your hair.

8. Washing Too Often

Since tangled hair happens so commonly as we wash our hair every day (or sometimes more than once!), it is important to consider that tangled hair could be happening because you are washing too often, and your locks just need a break. 

Even if tangled hair happens now and then, don’t wash it daily! Give your strands some rest in between washes.

9. The Time of Year

Another reason tangled hair may be happening could just be due to the season we’re in right now.

Winter tends to dry our skin and scalp much more, so there will likely be more tangles during this time — give yourself some extra TLC!

10. The weather

Tangles happen more easily when the weather changes.

If tangles seem more frequent during colder months, this can be due to fluctuations in temperature or humidity. Weather changes makes your hair more prone to tangles than usual.

Also, when we have seasons with higher amounts of rain, tangles may come about more frequently since water, and other substances become lodged into our strands very quickly without us even knowing.

11. Dry Hair

The most obvious reason for tangled hair happens is because of dryness. If your locks lack moisture, it can cause them to knot more easily than they would if you were giving them the hydration they deserve.

12. Overworking Your Locks

Another thing that may be causing tangled hair is over-styling or chemically processing your hair. The more you manipulate or break down the cuticle on your locks, the more tangled they will get after a wash day.

Dry, fine, chemically treated hair is more prone to tangles. That’s why it’s even more important to deep condition your hair if you had it recently dyed, bleached, permed or relaxed.

13. Using the wrong type of brush

comb and detangle hair – Curling Diva
Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair

If you are brushing or combing tangles from wet hair, it is important to use a wide-tooth detangling comb rather than a typical bristled brush for best results. Detangling combs are softer and designed to work better on tangled hair.

14. Hard Water

You may have hard water in your area, which is causing mineral buildup on your scalp.

Hard water is full of minerals and other substances that can damage your locks from the inside out, causing tangles to happen all the time – especially when it comes to hot water!

15. Longer hair tangles more easily

It is also possible tangled hair happens for a reason you would never expect – because of the length of your locks!

If they are very long, tangles happen much easier, and you may need to get a haircut. Locks that are longer than your shoulders may tangle more often because they have a wider surface area.

CHECK OUT: DIY Hair Detangler


Tips on How To Avoid Tangled Hair After Washing:

Tangled hair can happen for many reasons, but there are ways to avoid the problem!

  • If tangled hair happens after washing, try holding the wet ends away from your scalp to let them air dry – they won’t knot as easily!
  • Brush and detangle wet locks before you get out of the shower or bath. You’ll be able to spot tangles right then and there instead of when it’s too late.
  • Don’t wash your hair often – give strands time to rest in between washes.
  • Use a wide-tooth comb while brushing tangled sections of wet locks rather than a typical bristled brush. Detangling combs are gentler, which means less breakage on your strands with each stroke!
  • Don’t be afraid to use a leave-in conditioner or other product on your hair each day – as long as it doesn’t make it greasy, some people find these products helpful with tangled hair, so give them a try!
  • Make sure that your locks are hydrated before you wash them. If they’re dry, this will cause tangles more easily than if they were well moisturized.

Wrapping Things Up

If tangled hair is something that you struggle with, it’s important to understand the reason why.

Hair tangles more easily when it’s dry or overworked, and tangled locks may be due to a change in weather or even because of your hair length.

Avoid tangled hair by brushing wet hair after getting out of the shower or bath — this will help spot any problems before they happen!

If tangled hair still happens despite these steps, don’t forget about leave-in conditioners. They can hydrate strands from within instead of relying on other products like serums that are only applied externally.

These tips should keep knots at bay so that you can enjoy healthy looking locks all day long without having to worry about what’s going on underneath them!

1 thought on “Why is My Hair so Tangled After Washing? 10 Reasons Why”

  1. I don’t wash my hair in the shower,in the kitchen sink. Went to a new salon was very happy. Now all of a sudden I have lost a ton of hair and the knotts are off the charts. I am in tears. My husband is now trying to get the knotts out of my hair. Still crying. WTH is happening. Have never this happen.

    Reply

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