Why You Should Never Skip Detangling Before Washing Your Hair

A customer once came into the salon for a simple service — a wash, treatment, and crochet braids. Everything seemed straightforward until I uncovered her hair and began the detangling. I reached out for my detangling conditioner and worked it through her strands.

A few minutes in, it became clear that this was not going to be a quick session. Her hair was severely tangled, and the comb wasn’t gliding through the way it should. I paused and asked what had happened. She explained that she had just taken down small braids and, without combing or detangling, had gone straight to shampooing her hair.

At that moment, I knew exactly why we were struggling — and it’s a mistake many naturals make.

When you skip detangling before shampooing, you’re basically asking your hair to mat and tangle even more. Think about it: during the take-down process, a lot of shed hairs are left trapped in your strands. If you go straight into shampooing, those shed hairs get tangled with the rest of your hair, forming knots that are hard to remove and often lead to breakage.

Detangling is one of the most important steps in your wash day routine. It helps prevent unnecessary breakage, allows products to work more effectively, and makes the entire process smoother. When you take the time to properly detangle, you’re essentially preparing your hair for cleansing, conditioning, and styling.

Here’s what I recommend:

Always detangle on damp or conditioned hair. A detangling conditioner or spray helps soften and loosen knots, making the process easier and gentler on your strands.

Work in sections. It helps you stay organized and ensures that every part of your hair gets the attention it needs.

Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots to prevent tugging or breakage.

Be patient. Detangling takes time, especially if your hair has been in a protective style for a while. Rushing through can cause unnecessary damage.

By taking a few extra minutes to detangle properly, you save yourself a lot of stress, reduce shedding, and ensure your hair remains healthy and strong. Remember — healthy hair starts with good habits, and detangling before shampooing is one of them.