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Introduction
My seven-year-old daughter dreads getting her seventeen-inch natural hair done. The step that scares her most is detangling. Sometimes I threaten to shave her mane off for peace. Of course, her response is always a big “NO!”
African textured hair is naturally coily/curly, with each strand winding up against the next as they grow outward from the root of their follicle. As a result, this produces a network of knots and tangles that require you to unravel them regularly. The process of separating these clusters of matted hair strands is called detangling.
Additionally, we have hair strands covered with a scale-like structure called a hair cuticle. When the hair absorbs moisture, it swells, causing the cuticles to rise—the raised cuticle of each hair strand snags on one another, creating tangled hair. In Nigeria, the air is almost always humid; you can already imagine what that means for natural hair.
- Introduction
- What Is A Detangler for Natural Hair?
- 1. Aloe Vera Detangler for Natural Hair
- 2. Aloe Vera Juice and Leave-in Conditioner Natural Hair Detangler
- 3. Aloe Vera Juice and Vegetable Glycerine Homemade Natural Hair Detangler Spray
What Is A Detangler for Natural Hair?
A detangler for natural hair is a conditioning product that helps coat virgin hair strands to add slip to the hair. The hair-detangling product makes virgin hair soft and smooth to comb.
In Nigeria, many people wonder how to comb their natural or virgin hair. Nigerian natural hair is generally perceived as problematic, stubborn, dry, and difficult to manage.
It is essential to incorporate a detangling step when washing your natural hair. Removing knots and tangles before shampooing the hair will make the hair-wash process easier for you and your child, as the case may be.
These homemade recipes for detanglers for natural will help eliminate the bucket of tears that comes with detangling your child’s hair.
1. Aloe Vera Detangler for Natural Hair
During my final year at the University of Nigeria, I had a hot water accident one weekend at home. I had boiled water to pick chicken feathers. If you have picked chicken feathers before, you will know how hot the water must have been.
As I made my way outside the house, carrying a big bowl half filled with hot water, the door I had opened seconds earlier snapped back, hit the bowl of water and SLASH!!! The hot water poured on my body, and the scream for help followed.
Thankfully, my mother, who was home then, used her fresh aloe vera plants to salvage my skin. Otherwise, I would have ended up with severe burns on my skin.
Aloe Vera Gel is generally known for its ability to soothe burns. But it also has benefits for natural hair growth. According to this article, Aloe Vera strengthens hair with its active ingredients and minerals. Aloe Vera Gel is also known to help with itchy scalp and reduce scaliness caused by dandruff.
What You Need to Make Aloe Vera Detangler for Natural Hair
- 3 Tablespoons of Muna & Luchi Strengthen and Grow Hair Oil
- ½ Cup Aloe Vera Gel
- 3 Tablespoons of Vegetable Glycerin
- 2 Teaspoons of Vitamin E10 Drops of essential oil of choice (Optional*)
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Stainless Steel Bowls
- Click here to buy all the ingredients from Amazon.
Steps
- Add Muna & Luchi Strengthen and Grow Oil, Aloe Vera Gel and vegetable glycerin. In a bowl, combine the ingredients by using a whisk.
- Add Vitamin E and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. I am using Ylang Ylang essential oil for this recipe because it is mild for children and smells terrific.
- Please apply to the hair one section at a time, gently removing knots and tangles, or gently use it to loosen an old style.
2. Aloe Vera Juice and Leave-in Conditioner Natural Hair Detangler
Aloe Vera Juice is from the Aloe Vera plant and is highly moisturising. This natural hair detangler spray recipe is much like the typical water mixture and a leave-in conditioner. However, I prefer Aloe Vera Juice because ordinary water could introduce many microbes into the mix. The activity of microbes in normal water is usually why your homemade detangle spray stinks after some days.
What You Need to Make Aloe Vera Juice and Leave-in Conditioner Natural Hair Detangler
- 1 Cup Aloe Vera Juice
- 3 to 4 pumps of Muna & Luchi Break Free Leave in Conditioner
- A spray bottle
- Click here to buy ingredients from Amazon
Steps
- Pour the Aloe Vera Juice into the spray bottle and add about four pumps of Muna & Luchi Break Free Leave in Conditioner.
- Shake the mixture vigorously until it forms a pale white liquid
- Use this to spray on your hair or your child’s hair for a smooth detangling process
3. Aloe Vera Juice and Vegetable Glycerine Homemade Natural Hair Detangler Spray
Vegetable Glycerin is a clear, odourless, syruplike liquid made from coconut, soybean, and palm oils. Vegetable glycerin acts as a moisturiser for skin and hair, and you can read this article to find out more.
I have found that Vegetable Glycerine works well with Aloe Vera Juice. Therefore, both will form the main ingredients for this homemade detangler for natural hair recipe.
What You Will Need to Make Aloe Vera Juice and Vegetable Glycerine Natural Hair Detangler Spray
- 1 cup Aloe Vera Juice
- 3 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
- 3 tablespoons strengthen and grow oil
- 2 teaspoons of Vitamin e
- A few drops of essential oil of choice (optional)*
- A spray bottle
Steps
- Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake vigorously.
- Although this may not form a perfectly mixed liquid, it works very well as a leave-in detangling spray for virgin hair.
Another great ingredient to include in your homemade detangler is Apple Cider Vinegar. Due to the acidic nature of Apple Cider vinegar, it aids in smoothing down the cuticles, thereby promoting slip for the detangling process.
Check out these articles to learn about homemade detanglers for natural hair apple cider vinegar.
Homemade Natural Hair Detangler: 10 Recipes and Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Make Your Own Homemade Hair Detangler – Byrdie
3 Homemade Hair Detangler Recipes – Mommypotamus
If you are still thinking of a gift to get a loved one this Christmas, click here to read the article I wrote about Gift Ideas in Nigeria this Christmas
Regularly detangling your natural hair is vital if you are serious about growing long virgin hair. To achieve a smooth detangling process, you need a product that will enable your fingers, wide-tooth comb, and brush to glide through your hair strands with minimal breakage. You can create an effective homemade detangler for your natural hair using simple ingredients such as Aloe Vera Gel, Vegetable Glycerin and Apple Cider Vinegar.
Did you find this article helpful? Let me know if you will try any of these recipes in the comments section below. Please do me a favour by sharing with your family and friends using the social buttons below. Thank you!
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