When I first got Mazie she was FULL of mats. I used baby oil on them, and I've never read on here about that being bad for them, although I don't know for sure. I wouldn't use it regularly, but for the occasional knot I still put on a few drops, and mostly work at the mat with my fingers, separating the hairs that start coming lose at the edges of the mat.
I also find that using a COMB rather than a brush does a much better job at keeping the mats away. Like others have suggested, hold the mat so that you're not tugging on the roots, and start combing it out from the ENDS of the hair, working toward the root.
good luck! |