You installed twists thinking they’d be a low-maintenance protective style, but now you’re dealing with buildup, puffy new growth, and matted roots.
Life got busy, and now taking down a protective style you left in too long is a whole challenge on its own.
Matted roots can happen when shed hairs, product residue, and new growth wrap around each other at the base of the twist, forming tight knots that aren’t easy to undo.
If you rush the process or try to take them out dry, you risk breakage, unnecessary hair loss, and a frustrating wash day.
But with the right products, patience, and a step-by-step approach, you can safely unravel those old twists, restore softness, and keep your length intact.
This post is in response to a recent question I received from a reader -“I left my twists in way longer than I planned, and now the roots are super tangled. I can see shed hairs and some buildup, and I’m worried about breakage if I start pulling them apart. What’s the best way to unravel them without hair loss or damage?”
What You’ll Need for Detangling Matted Roots
- Spray bottle with plain water or a leave-in conditioner and floral water mix. My favorite leave-in conditioner for this is Alaffia Beautiful Curls Leave-in Conditioner for Tight Curls.
- Applicator bottle with coconut, olive, or sweet almond oil.
- Wide-tooth comb or fingers.
- Hair clamps to section your hair.
- Time and a lot of patience.
Step-by-Step: How to Take Down Twists With Matted Roots
1. Work in Small Sections
- Divide your hair into 4 to 6 sections and secure each with a clamp.
- Smaller sections give you more control, reduce tension, and make it easier to focus on stubborn tangles.
2. Saturate With Moisture
- Lightly mist one section with water or leave-in conditioner mix. Do not drench it, just dampen enough to soften the hair.
- Follow with oil at the base of the twist to reduce friction. This helps the strands glide apart without snapping.
- Work the oil into the base of the twist.
3. Unravel From the Bottom Up
- Start at the ends of the twist and gently work upward toward the roots.
- Avoid pulling. If you meet resistance, add more product and massage the knot gently until it loosens.
4. Finger-Detangle the Roots First
- At the root, tangles are usually caused by shed hairs and product buildup.
- Before using a comb, gently separate the strands with your fingers, adding more leave-in mix or oil if needed.
This step is crucial as it’s where most breakage happens if you’re too rough.
5. Comb Through (Optional)
- Once a section is about 90% detangled with your fingers, you can run a wide-tooth comb through it, starting at the ends and moving upward.
- Or you could finger detangle all the way and leave out the wide-tooth comb.
6. Retwist or Braid Finished Sections
- To keep your progress intact and prevent re-tangling, twist or braid each completed section.
- Cover with a disposable cap for at least an hour, or until you’re ready to wash or pre-poo. Your hair will be so soft and easy to detangle.
- I recommend pre-pooing. It will work out more shed hair and detangle further before you clarify.
Top Tips for Detangling Matted Roots
- Do not try to dry detangle. It will lead to snapping and breakage.
- Avoid fine-tooth combs or brushes.
- Do not force knots apart. Always take as much time as required to loosen gently.
- Do not rush the process. Take breaks if needed. This can be tiring if you have long or very thick hair.
Taking down twists after leaving them in too long can be tedious, but with patience, moisture, and a gentle touch, you can get through it without losing inches.
Note, there will be a bit of shed hair, but don’t panic. This is normal after a long period of leaving twists in.
Your hair will thank you for the extra care. Next time, set a reminder to take them down just a little sooner.
These tips can also be applied to braids, cornrows, or other protective styles left in too long.
Abi is the founder behind Ade Ori Hair Care and the Healthy Natural Hair Products ecosystem, a platform trusted by women seeking clean, effective solutions for textured hair. With over 10 years of hands-on experience, she combines research-backed insight, ingredient transparency, and natural formulations to help women nourish their curls from the inside out. She’s passionate about empowering women through DIY tools, holistic hair education, and a community-first approach. Learn more here.
