How To Help Your Hair Health During A Depressive Episode
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

'Depression Hair' Is A Very Real Thing, But These 9 Tips Will Bring Your Beautiful Locks Back To Life

Hair is a really good analogy for life — sometimes it just gets messy.

432
'Depression Hair' Is A Very Real Thing, But These 9 Tips Will Bring Your Beautiful Locks Back To Life

It seems as if in today's age, a girl's biggest asset is her hair. Of course, that isn't necessarily true, but hair is one of the biggest parts of a girl that makes her feel confident.

Sometimes, after a really long bout of depression, that beautiful mane can get pretty tangled. Well, tangled is a nice way of saying matted, greasy, and basically stuck in a big cluster. Speaking from experience, sometimes your first instinct might be to just cut it all off. I'd know, I've done it twice.

I buzzed my hair the first time because I was bedridden and sick of dealing with it being knotted. The second time was because I wanted a better experience of having short hair by choice. If shaving it off or cutting it super short is what you wanna do, go for it. More power to you. But, if you're gonna try to salvage that hair first, here's how to do it as quickly, easily, and painlessly as possible.

1. Take it out of that messy bun

No time like the present than to take out that elastic that's been holding it together and just get to work. If you can, section off parts of your hair that aren't tangled or in need of being brushed thoroughly. In my experience, it seems like bigger chunks of hair get matted, rather than your entire head of hair. So, use that elastic and try to cleanly move apart the undamaged hair.

2. Rewind, turn on some tunes 

Before you dive in too far, turn on some music. No, not the sad, slow-paced, heartache Spotify playlist that you've had on repeat. The other one. Try some music that is on the charts, upbeat and confidence-boosting. If you can, maybe even call a friend or your mom over to help you.

Staring your depression in the eyes by seeing what it does to you (and your hair) can be difficult, so if you don't wanna be alone, call over someone you trust can help you without judgment. That way, they can help reach the parts of your hair that you can't get to, and they can be there to support you.

3. Take it easy 

Start off by running your fingers gently through the not-so-tangled parts of your hair. You'll find that small, painful baby hairs that are wrapped up in each other are usually holding the entire knot together. If you can carefully pull apart those smaller tangles, it'll make it much easier to brush through and it won't feel so much like a million needles puncturing your scalp. Ouch.

4. Deep condition

No de-tangler spray around? Conditioner is one of the best ways to soften your hair. Instead of hopping in the shower and drenching your hair, get some water and conditioner in a spray bottle and spray it on your hair. Use your hands to rub it in further. Remember, you don't want your hair to be soaked or else it'll be harder to brush. While you're letting that conditioner sit and work its magic, maybe have whoever you've called over to help come and paint your nails. Some small and short activity that will somehow boost your confidence a little. The best thing to do here is to try to take your mind off the task at hand.

5. Take it one tangle at a time

Instead of diving into your entire hair and hurting yourself, make sure you only do one tangle at a time. My recommendation is to use the right brush. You don't want to use a fine-tooth comb but you also don't wanna use a big paddle brush that covers most of your hair or round brushes that will twist and turn in the tangles. Make sure you're also avoiding thin bristle brushes on tangles, they don't have the traction to actually de-tangle. The small beads at the end of each bristle will gonna provide the traction you need.

Halfway in the middle is the perfect shaped brush, just like the one linked above.

6. Start from the bottom 

Starting from the top of a tangle is only gonna pull your hair harder. Instead, start a few centimeters up from the bottom of the tangle. Instead of brushing super hard and pulling, try whisking it instead, quick but small motions to break it apart and then when you can handle it, brush a little harder. You wanna avoid breaking your hair apart and causing more pain than necessary. You'll find that working from the bottom up is much quicker and less painful.

7. Don't cut it just yet 

Unless you are absolutely certain that the brush won't do the trick, don't grab the scissors. If you have thicker hair and a smaller tangle that's more towards the back of your hair, you might be able to get away with cutting it out. Of course, that isn't recommended. Save the scissors for emergencies only.

8. Take a break 

Speaking from experience, the pain of brushing out a knot and not reaching your end result fast enough can get frustrating. The more frustrated you are, the more likely you are to throw the brush across the room and call it quits. So, when you feel like you need to take a break, then take one! Deep breath, grab a drink, check Twitter, then back to work.

9. Staying un-tangled is key

After your hair is brushed out, you're gonna wanna shower and make sure all of the excess oils and dandruff is gone. Usually, that's what's adding to the knots and mats of your hair. After that, remember to keep brushing your hair. When you're depressed, you're more likely to get out of the shower and throw your hair up in a bun without brushing it. I get it! It takes energy to brush it out. But, if you make sure to brush your hair out after each shower, you won't be faced with knots and tangles as often. Instead of a messy bun, try a ponytail or braids.

Remember, this too shall pass. Don't let anyone put you down for what you're going through. Depression has odd ways of having physical and cosmetic effects. When you spend time in bed and your energy is too low to brush it out, your hair is gonna take a beating. But there is no shame in what you're going through, and things like hair are fixable.

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57974
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37345
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959014
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192396
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments