How to detangle your hair without damaging it: a complete guide for every hair type

Detangling your hair can be a real challenge, especially if you don't know how to do it without causing damage. Whether your hair is oily, dry or damaged, each hair type needs a specific approach to avoid breakage and keep hair healthy and shiny. With Laurie Ciancioni, hair expert at Le Salon Saint-Florent, discover the best techniques and tools to detangle your hair gently!

UNDERSTANDING HAIR TYPES

The different hair types

Hair is classified into several categories, with 4 main types based on texture, thickness and structure: straight, wavy, curly and coily, each divided into sub-categories.

Oily hair

Oily hair is characterised by excess sebum production, which can make detangling difficult due to the build-up of product and dirt. To avoid damaging oily hair, it is crucial to use light products that don't weigh it down.

Dry and damaged hair

Dry, damaged hair lacks hydration and is often fragile. It needs special care to avoid breakage during detangling. Using hydrating, nourishing products is essential for this hair type.

Curly and coily hair

Curly and coily hair is more likely to tangle because of its structure. It needs a gentle approach and specific tools to preserve its natural shape without causing damage.

Detangling techniques for every hair type

Detangling oily hair

Preparation

Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove excess sebum and product residue. Use a light conditioner to avoid weighing your hair down.

Using the Immortelle Infused Hair Oil™

Apply a small amount of this ultra-natural oil (98.8% plant-origin ingredients) with your light conditioner to help detangle gently, adding a veil of shine without making hair greasy.

Tools

Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle, starting at the ends and gently working up to the roots.

Detangling dry and damaged hair

Preparation

Apply a hydrating mask before detangling. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes so the nourishing ingredients can penetrate deeply.

Using the Immortelle Infused Hair Oil™

This oil, combining the repairing benefits of organic Corsican Immortelle with argan, coconut and jojoba oils, is ideal for nourishing and protecting dry, damaged hair.

Tools

For fine, fragile hair, a soft-bristle brush is recommended. For thick hair, a firm-bristle brush will be more effective. For combs, choose natural materials like bamboo rather than plastic. If your hair is fine, opt for a fine-tooth comb. Always start detangling at the ends and work up gradually to the roots.

Hair care and styling expert Laurie Ciancioni also recommends boar-bristle brushes for dry hair – the number one choice for fine to normal hair, which will make the hair shine. "The old saying goes that for beautiful hair, a hundred brush strokes a day are essential."

Detangling curly and coily hair

Preparation

Use a rich, hydrating conditioner or a leave-in conditioner to give your curls more slip.

Using the Immortelle Infused Hair Oil™

Apply this multi-purpose oil generously, on its own or with your treatment, to help detangle and define your curls without weighing them down.

Tools

Opt for a wide-tooth comb or detangle with your fingers to preserve your curls' natural structure. Divide your hair into sections for easier, less stressful detangling. For Laurie, team curly: "from curly to coily hair, it's best to wait until wash day to brush your hair – otherwise, lion's mane guaranteed."

Hair care for your hair type

Tips for damage-free detangling

Using suitable products

According to recent studies, using products suited to your hair type is crucial to minimise damage. For example, researchers have shown that natural oils such as argan and jojoba oil can improve hair flexibility and reduce breakage.

To avoid damaging the hair's keratin scales, Laurie recommends conditioner: "Wet hair is swollen with water, so it is much more vulnerable! Conditioner acts as a protector and tightens the hair's scales. On dry hair, a leave-in serum or mist works the same way (bearing in mind that dry hair is less sensitive). At the beach or pool, your UV protection spray will be perfect."

Gentle detangling techniques

During your treatment, it is recommended to detangle hair when it is damp and well hydrated, as this reduces friction and makes detangling easier. It's important to start at the ends and work up gradually to the roots to detangle gently without pulling. Using a comb on wet hair is a very good option, but brushes are not recommended as they can break the hair. Also make sure not to brush your hair aggressively.

Laurie Ciancioni, hair styling and care expert at Le Salon Saint-Florent, uses the Tangle Teezer a lot, especially on wet hair. "I always detangle after the treatment, when the conditioner is in. I prefer detangling with conditioner because a mask opens the hair's scales, whereas conditioner, thanks to its acidic pH, helps close the scales and allows detangling without damaging the fibre."

The importance of tools

Using the right tools, such as wide-tooth combs and natural-bristle brushes, is essential to avoid breakage. These tools are designed to glide through the hair without putting excessive stress on the strands.

Laurie uses the Tangle Teezer because "its teeth are soft and spaced far enough apart not to break the hair. However, there are also many boar-bristle brushes for dry hair. Loaded with keratin, they help make hair shine and spread sebum from roots to ends. So you can also detangle dry hair, because the sebum from the roots has spread over the lengths and ends, protecting the hair. This is great for sleek, slicked-back styles." However, she doesn't recommend this technique for curly and coily hair.

Anecdotes and personal experiences

Laurie tells us: "One day, an Italian client with fine hair had very, very tight braids (which she had kept for two weeks on holiday, going to the beach every day). When she arrived at the salon, she wanted a shampoo and blow-dry. When it came to undoing her braids, it was impossible. Her hair was full of sand and salt and, above all, completely matted. It was a really tricky moment. We managed, but she had to cut off quite a lot of hair. In short, braids at the beach on fine hair are a very bad combination."

From the importance of methods to suitable products: according to verified reviews from Maree customers (available under each product), those who struggled to detangle their dry, damaged hair found that the Immortelle Infused Hair Oil™ makes their hair easier to detangle and much less brittle.

Sophie M., a curly hair lover, tells us that detangling her curls used to be a nightmare. The Immortelle Infused Hair Oil™ clearly helped make her hair softer and easier to style day to day.

"Detangling your hair without damaging it is possible by using the right techniques, products and tools for your hair type. Whether your hair is oily, dry, curly or coily, there are solutions to make this task easier and less stressful." Angy-Marie, founder of Maree Haircare

By adding quality products like the Immortelle Infused Hair Oil™ to your routine, you can protect and nourish your hair while making detangling easier. This ultra-natural oil, combining the repairing and antioxidant benefits of organic Corsican immortelle with argan, coconut and jojoba oils, is a real asset for all hair types.

Discover the Organic Corsican Immortelle Hair Oil - €24.00 EUR

Thank you to Laurie Ciancioni for her precious advice and expertise. You can find her at Le Salon, Saint-Florent, 9 route de la cathédrale, 20217 Saint-Florent, Corsica, France, and on Instagram:

With these precious tips, your new detangling routine will bring you all the benefits you were hoping for. Remember that every head of hair is unique and deserves care adapted to it.