So About Detangling — Should You Do It Wet Or Dry? What Experts Say To Prevent Breakage

If done wrong, detangling can cause a big ol' mess: Harsh pulling can mean pain and irritation at the scalp, frayed ends, and mass shedding. Ever look at your brush and see big clumps of knotted hair? Yeah, that's a signal that you could likely stand to be a bit gentler to your delicate strands. 

But what people often don't realize is that there are specific ways to detangle your hair depending on your hair type—and that all comes down to whether you are doing it wet or dry. See, some argue that detangling your hair when wet can stretch out the strand and rough it up when it's at its most vulnerable (more on that soon), while others simply scoff at the idea of taking a brush to their fully dried strands—knowing it would result in broken strands littered on the bathroom floor.

So, if your hair is straight to loose waves, you should opt for brushing or combing your hair while dry. This is because your hair is structurally its weakest while wet. "Hair is very elastic when it's wet," Clay Nielsen, a hair care expert and celebrity stylist, previously told us about wet hair. So if you are brushing it while sopping wet, it can stretch out the strand leading to breakage as it dries and shrinks back up. 

Now, if you have curls or coils (or even particularly tangle-prone waves), you likely know that detangling while dry is, uh, a recipe for a disaster. Not only can this result in hair loss, but it's painful! Instead, wait till you get in the shower.  

"Never dry brush your ringlets. Cleanse scalp and hair in warm water to remove dirt, sweat, and product buildup, then rinse, then apply conditioner," says hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care line Miss Jessie's Originals. "Use a nourishing conditioner to gently detangle hair. Practice patience, be kind to your hair, and use your fingers and/or a wide-toothed comb."