Spritz Your Hair With Leave-In Conditioner

Viola says natural hair may become dry, depending on how the braids were cared for, and you don’t want to over-manipulate dry hair. “Using a leave-in conditioner… before you take your braids down will hydrate and nourish your tresses, making them easier to unravel while minimizing breakage,” she advises.

Cut the Bottom of Your Braids

You might find cutting the bottom of your braids before you begin unraveling them helpful. “To make sure you aren’t cutting your hair, cut the braids just below the ends,” Ashley says. Viola seconds this: “Cutting the braids just below the end of your hair helps ensure that you don’t accidentally cut your natural hair,” she says.

The type of scissors you use to cut your braids is also important. Use sharp scissors to make the process as smooth as possible.

Time to Unravel

You can use your fingers or the tail of a tail comb to unravel your braids; “Whichever method you use, the most important thing is that you’re gentle,” Ashley says. “Being too rigid could [stress] your hair, which can lead to breakage.” Depending on the size of your braids, try both methods to see which one works for you. (Viola says you’ll probably prefer the faster one.)

When unraveling, always start from the bottom and work through any knots gently. Johnson says it’s important to take your time. “To make the process slightly easier, divide your hair into four sections,” she adds.

Detangle Your Hair

The easiest way to detangle is to start from the ends of the hair before working your way up to the roots. Ashley and Johnson recommend using a wide-tooth comb for this. “While detangling your hair, you might need to spray some sections with leave-in conditioner again, which is fine,” says Ashley. “The more saturated the hair is, the easier it will be to detangle.” And for your hair health, you want the detangling process to go as smoothly as possible: “Being thorough while detangling helps minimize breakage,” says Viola.

Johnson recommends tackling detangling in sections. “When you’ve finished detangling one section, two-strand twist it and move on to another section,” she says.

Comb Through Each Section

After you’ve detangled, you’ll need to comb through each section. You’ve probably guessed it by now, but a wide-tooth comb will be best for this, as will working from the ends to your roots. Taking your time when combing your hair is important because there’s a chance you’ll still have some knots.

Wash and Deep Condition Your Hair

Once you’ve combed through your hair, it’s time to wash and deep condition it. If you want to make the process as smooth as possible, consider washing it in sections, too.

When it comes to the type of shampoo you use, a clarifying formula is always best. “It will thoroughly clean through all the build-up that has been accumulated and will refresh your scalp in the process,” Johnson says. Once you’ve shampooed your hair, apply a treatment mask to help with hydration and conditioning.