5 Detangling Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Fix Them)

Detangling your kid’s hair shouldn’t feel like a full-contact sport.But if you’re dealing with tears, tugging, and daily battles, chances are one of these common hair detangling mistakes is sneaking into your routine.

Here’s how to fix them—without the drama.

1. Starting from the Roots Instead of the Ends

The mistake: Brushing straight down from the scalp.The fix: Always start detangling at the ends and work your way up in small sections. This avoids tightening knots and minimizes pulling on the scalp.

Pro tip: Support each section with your hand as you detangle to reduce pain and tension.

2. Using the Wrong Brush or Comb

The mistake: Grabbing whatever brush is nearby—even if it’s made for styling, not detangling.The fix: Use a tool designed for detangling, not just brushing.

Tanglegripper is a game-changer here. It gives you full control, reduces breakage, and makes the process quicker and smoother—on wet or dry hair.

3. Skipping Sectioning Completely

The mistake: Trying to tackle the whole head at once.The fix: Divide the hair into smaller, manageable sections. Clip or tie them off and work through one at a time.

This prevents re-tangling and lets you focus on knots without overwhelming your kid (or yourself).

4. Detangling Dry Hair Without Any Slip

The mistake: Combing through dry hair without prep.The fix: Use a detangling spray, leave-in conditioner, or even a bit of water and oil to give hair the slip it needs.

Check out our favorite detangling products here to make the process smoother, faster, and tear-free.

5. Rushing the Process

The mistake: Getting it over with as fast as possible.

The fix: Slow down. A calm, patient approach builds trust and helps your child associate detangling with care, not with chaos.

Even 5 extra minutes can make a huge difference.

Bonus: Your Detangling Kit Checklist

Tanglegripper

Detangling spray or leave-in

Sectioning clips or scrunchies

Patience (and maybe a good playlist)

Final Word

Detangling doesn’t have to be a daily battle. By avoiding these common kids hair care mistakes and using the right products and tools, you can turn a dreaded task into a quick, pain-free routine.

Ready to make detangling easier for both of you?

Try Tanglegripper today and see the difference for yourself.

Explore kid-safe detangling products.