Hair Matting & How Best to Deal With It in 2025

Hair matting refers to the formation of tightly tangled clusters of hair that can become difficult to separate.

This condition can range from mild tangling to severe matting, where the hair forms dense, impenetrable clumps.

Causes of Hair Matting/Mat Hair

Several factors contribute to hair matting:

• Hair Type and Texture: Curly, coily, or long hair is more prone to matting due to its structure, which makes strands more likely to intertwine.
• Dryness and Damage: Dry or damaged hair, often resulting from harsh shampoos, chemical treatments, or excessive heat styling, can lead to raised cuticles, making hair more susceptible to tangling.
• Improper Hair Care: Neglecting regular brushing or detangling, especially after washing, can cause loose hairs to intertwine and form mats.
• Sleeping Habits: Sleeping with loose hair, particularly on cotton pillowcases, increases friction, leading to tangles and matting.
• Protective Styles: Wearing protective hairstyles like braids or twists for extended periods without proper maintenance can result in matting.
• Medical and Environmental Factors: Conditions such as head lice infestations, scalp infections, or psychological disorders can contribute to acute hair matting.

Preventing the Matting of Hair

To minimize the risk of hair matting:

• Regular Detangling: Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to gently work through knots, starting from the ends and moving upward.
• Moisturize: Keep hair hydrated with leave-in conditioners or hair masks to reduce dryness and friction.
• Protect Hair During Sleep: Secure hair in a loose braid or bun and use a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction.
• Proper Hair Washing Techniques: Gently massage shampoo into the scalp without piling hair on top of the head, and rinse thoroughly to prevent product buildup.
• Limit Protective Styles Duration: Avoid keeping protective hairstyles for extended periods without maintenance to prevent matting.

Detangling Matty Hair

If matting occurs:

1. Apply Conditioner: Saturate the matted area with a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to soften the hair.
2. Section Hair: Divide hair into manageable sections to focus on one area at a time.
3. Gentle Detangling: Starting from the ends, use fingers or a wide-tooth comb to slowly work through the tangles, applying more conditioner as needed.
4. Seek Professional Help: For severe matting, consult a professional hairstylist to avoid unnecessary hair loss or damage.

In extreme cases, such as plica neuropathica (also known as plica polonica), the hair becomes irreversibly matted, forming a hard mass that may require cutting.

Maintaining a consistent hair care routine, staying hydrated, and protecting hair during sleep are key strategies to prevent matting and keep hair healthy.

Dealing with matted hair can feel overwhelming.

Whether it’s from neglecting protective styles for too long or skipping your regular detangling routine, tangled hair needs extra care to prevent breakage.

Before grabbing the scissors, learning how to detangle matted hair starts with a gentle approach that carefully works through knots while helping to restore your hair’s health and vitality.

Matted Hair Treatment – Step 1: Prepare Your Hair with Moisture

One of the worst things you can do is to tackle matted hair while it’s dry.

Trying to force a comb through dry tangles can lead to breakage and split ends.

Start by dampening your hair with water to soften it. Better yet, use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner that adds slip, making it easier for your fingers or comb to glide through.

Look for lightweight leave-in conditioners that are packed with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera. Products such as Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream or Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner/Detangler can provide the moisture and slip needed to soften the toughest of tangles without weighing your hair down.

Photo credits: Melbourne Detangling