Having Problems :-(

First off let me say HELLO cause I'm new here!!

Well Im 3 months into my transition and I'm having problems with styling. My hair is about mid-back length and my favorite style to do is the twistout, but my hair is starting to have a mind of it's own. It gets so tangled and it's starting to break more. I know my hair is going to break easier since i'm transitioning, but I feel like it's breaking more than should. So, I was wondering is there anyway to decrease breakage and how can I prevent tangles?

At what point in your process are you detangling your hair? Only detangle when its wet and thoroughly saturated with conditioner.

Yea I detangle when my hair is wet (sometimes in the shower w/ conditioner or right when I get out of the shower) I've tried bantu knots once.... I don't think my hair was completely dry when I took them down, so I didn't like it. It takes FOREVER for my hair to dry. I'll try them again and maybe my hair will look right next time lol

Are you sleeping on satin pillow case, bonnet, etc??
What products are you using?

Congrats on starting the transition! When I transitioned I experienced some of the same issues. Here's what I would suggest:

1) If it's been a while since your last trim, have an inch trimmed off the length of your hair. This helped me A LOT.

2) Detangle in sections (if you aren't already). Second to having my ends trimmed, doing this made detangling a breeze. If you're doing four sections, increase it to six and see if that helps.

3) Try the twist n curl and rollers sets. Smoothing your ends over rollers will prevent them from getting as tangled as they do when you twist all the way down the length of your hair. It may take you a few tries to get it right, but it's worth the effort. CurlyNikki has a very helpful video on how she does it. There's also a roller setting tutorial. I'm not good at roller setting my hair, so I used the pony tail method.

Definitely let us know what products you're using so we can make suggestions.

@loveself247- That is really cute. I've never done anything on dry hair. I'm definitely going to try that! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

@nmoultry- I use a satin bonnet and im using mane & tail conditioner, herbal essences, and ors shampoo... I bought some organix shampoo and conditioner, but i don't want to waste things I already have. I also use castor, evoo, and cantu shea butter.

@traveljunkie08- Thanks, I'll try all of that!!

The shampoo could be part of the problem. Is it the ORS Creamy Aloe? I had to stop using that. My mom's hair is relaxed, so I gave it to her thinking maybe she could use it. It even left her hair a tangled mess.

I tried not to shampoo and only co-wash, but I had a hard time breaking the habit of using shampoo. So, I started pre-treating my hair with oil before I shampooed so my hair wouldn't be completely stripped of moisture (which contributes to tangling). I also washed my hair in sections and only put the shampoo on my scalp.

All of these things (changing my wash day routine, having my ends trimmed and having smooth ends) made a huge difference for me, and helped me last 10 months.

Yea it's ORS creamy aloe, I'll stop using it to see if that helps. I don't like co-washing though. I can never get it all out and it makes my scalp flake badly. I guess I'll try to pretreat my hair too and just use the other shampoo I have.

Do you deep condish? That might help
coconut oil is also very good for a flaky scalp

I don't dc as much as I should, I just can't find a good deep conditioner.

I am in my 7th month or my transition. I wash and DC my hair in 2 sections. After DC I do about 4 plait and allow my hair to dry and then I style. This takes a little longer but definately worth it in the long run.