7 Ouch-Less Ways to Detangle Your Tresses This Summer

We get it—tangled hair can be a nightmare to comb through. This is especially true in the summer season when high heat days are spent in the pool. “You may notice in the hot summer months that your hair becomes extra tangled due to sun damage, salt water and chlorine from pools,” says Carolyn Aronson, CEO and founder of It’s a 10 Haircare. “They dry the hair shaft and rough up your locks, causing them to catch easier as the hair shafts rub together,” she adds. In addition to the heat and pool water, Aronson says, “hair gets tangled for the obvious reason of messing it up and not brushing it regularly.”

Whether you love the summer sun—and a good pool day—or are prone to tangles, a good detangler can help make a world of difference. With the help of conditioning sprays, tangled hair is not just easier to comb through without pesky tugs and pulls, it can be healthier, too. By dampening your strands with a little leave-in spray and brushing out the tangles throughout the day, “you’ll actually notice your hair [getting] healthier over a period of time,” says Aronson.

In addition to detangling with a conditioning spray, there are a handful of other noteworthy tips and tricks for pain-free combing (and soft, silky, tangle-free hair!) Discover the dos and don’ts of tangled hair, plus the best detanglers for pain-free combing, ahead.

The Dos and Don’ts of Tangled Hair

If you have tangled hair, Aronson suggests spraying a leave-in conditioner before brushing through your strands. “The brush will slide right through the tangles,” she explains.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with tangled hair? Brushing it while dry, as “it can easily break,” says Aronson.

If you’re prone to tangles, keep a wide-toothed comb in your shower and brush through your hair while waiting for your conditioner to do its thing.

Another tip for tangled hair? Try to avoid cotton pillowcases. Instead, switch to a silk pillowcase—such as the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase—to reduce hair friction (aka, bedhead!). For added protection, braid your hair in two pigtail braids or protect it with a silk scarf.

In addition to combing your hair in the shower, you might also want to try using a deep conditioner that promotes smooth, tangle-free hair.

If your hair gets tangled during workouts, you might want to pull your hair back and secure it during your sweat. You can also try braiding your hair to keep knots at bay.

Best Detanglers for Pain-Free Combing

As far as tangled hair is concerned, following the above dos and don’ts can really make a difference. That said, a stellar detangler is also a must-have. In search of your next “can’t live without” product? Peep our favorite detanglers ahead.

1. Briogeo Wide Tooth Detangling Comb 1 piece

Briogeo Wide Tooth Detangling Comb 1 piece

$14.00

COMING SOON

Looking for a detangling comb for both wet and dry hair? Reach for the Briogeo Wide Tooth Detangling Comb. Working through tangles without tugging and pulling, the Wide Tooth Comb can work through unruly hair, stimulate the scalp and promote healthier-looking hair.

2. R+Co PINSTRIPE Intense Detangling Spray (8.5 fl. oz.)

R+Co PINSTRIPE Intense Detangling Spray (8.5 fl. oz.)

4.35 stars out of a maximum of 5

17 reviews

$31.00

COMING SOON

Before touching tangles with a brush, you’ll want to spray your ends—especially knotted areas—with R+Co PINSTRIPE Intense Detangling Spray. Enriched with nourishing oils and botanical extracts, the milky detangling spray can provide dry strands with a burst of fatty acids, antioxidants and much-needed shine.

3. Oribe Intense Conditioner for Moisture & Control 6.8 oz

Oribe Intense Conditioner for Moisture & Control 6.8 oz

4.68 stars out of a maximum of 5

25 reviews

$52.00

QUICK BUY

When it comes to tangles, a good conditioner can help do the trick. By adding a burst of hydration and nourishment to dry hair, Oribe's Intense Conditioner for Moisture Control works to fortify strands and leave your 'do looking and feeling softer.

4. Leonor Greyl Serum de Soie Sublimateur Styling Serum (2.5 oz.)

Leonor Greyl Serum de Soie Sublimateur Styling Serum (2.5 oz.)

$17 Gift

4.92 stars out of a maximum of 5

12 reviews

$48.00

QUICK BUY

Leave-in conditioners and detangling sprays aren’t the only way to soft, tangle-free hair. Using a styling serum such as Leonor Greyl’s Serum de Soie Sublimateur Styling Serum can also be beneficial. Formulated with unruly locks in mind, the conditioning botanical serum not only hydrates and strengthens strands, it can also help keep frizz and flyaways at bay, too.

5. UNITE Hair BOING Curl Leave In 8 oz

UNITE Hair BOING Curl Leave In 8 oz

$35.50

QUICK BUY

It’s no secret that curly hair can be prone to tangles. To keep the inevitable from happening, try a few spritzes of UNITE's Hair BOING Curl Leave In to help make combing through curls a little easier. Formulated specifically to detangle, protect and refresh curls, the Hair BOING Curl Leave In spray also helps fight frizz and seal in moisture to nourish and strengthen. We love it so much we made our own purse-size version to throw in our gym bag!

6. EVOLVh SmartStart Leave-In Conditioner 8.5 oz

EVOLVh SmartStart Leave-In Conditioner 8.5 oz

4.7 stars out of a maximum of 5

10 reviews

$28.00

COMING SOON

If you have fine hair and are prone to tangles, EVOLVh's SmartVolume Leave-In Conditioner is just what you need for more manageable AND fuller-looking strands. In addition to conditioning strands, this water-based formula actively helps volumize, detangle and prevent flyaways hair while working to prevent breakage.

7. Grow Gorgeous Satin Bonnet

Grow Gorgeous Satin Bonnet

2 stars out of a maximum of 5

1 reviews

$35.00

QUICK BUY

We already touted the benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase above, but a satin bonnet takes it one step further. Not only does it help prevent morning knots and tangles, but it can also help lengthen the time between each wash, extending your blowout, waves or curls.