Tangled hair can make us scream — out of frustration and pain from brushes getting caught in knots. Using a good hair conditioner and a moisturizing detangler along with the best detangling brush you can find will help get you through most everyday struggles, but sometimes big knots and tangles require us to break out the big guns. In these cases, we’ve got a choice: buzz it all off or set aside some time (and patience!) to try to work it out on our own.

It’s possible to undo matted hair at home and take steps to reduce the possibility of it returning.

While everyday knots can be undone pretty easily, mats are more stubborn. They’re a combination of attached and shedded strands that wind together to form clumps. Interlocked strands can become fused together. People with drier or textured curly or coiled hair types are more prone to it happening, but really anyone with hair can fall victim to matting.

The main cause of hair matting is product buildup on the hair shaft from styling products, conditioner and hair masks left in longer than they need to be, and improperly shampooed hair. Over time, this buildup dulls hair because it coats the strands, setting the stage for increased friction.

Grab your best detangling brush, wide-tooth comb, pin-curl or rat-tail comb, detangling primer, detangling spray, hair oil and conditioning treatment. To right your hair wrong, these tools will be your friends.

Heads up: It’s normal to experience shedding during the process, so don’t be alarmed!

If you absolutely cannot get the mat out, you might need to consider cutting it.

If you’re on the prowl for the best detangling brush, check out our top-rated picks.

Matted hair happens — to us, and even to our dogs! So put down the buzzers and start trying these methods to see if they do the trick.

Emily is a freelance writer who loves connecting the dots among facts and finding obscure little details to weave in throughout her work. Whether she's interviewing Olympic athletes, small business owners, dessert cookbook writers, or world-renowned architects, she's passionate about shining the spotlight on good people doing remarkable work. Learn More.

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