You may think that as long as you’ve got the knots and tangles out, you’ve combed your hair properly. Well, this is the main objective behind brushing your hair – but what if we told you there I a right way and a wrong way to comb your hair? Would you like to know how to comb hair properly? Then read on for the best tips; we’ve got you covered!
Choosing a brush or comb
Different combing implements work differently depending on which type of hair you have:
- A boar bristle brush works generally well for all hair types, as this material is gentle on your hair and will help remove tangles without pulling the hairs out. They also help to distribute your hair’s natural oils evenly and give your hair a smooth, polished look.
- For medium to thick hair, opt for a mixed bristle brush.These offer a combination of boar and synthetic bristle, which helps to remove tangles and knots but are still gentle enough to avoid pulling out your hair.
- If you have coarse, thick hair, a nylon bristled brush will be your new best friend. The synthetic bristles will slip through your hair more easily than boar bristles, and if you go for a brush with widely spaced bristles then you can work through large sections of knots much more easily.
- Curly haired people should look for a detangler brush with flexible bristles and a curved body, to help with removing stubborn tangles without being too harsh on the hair.
- Combs are easier to select, as all you need to do is make sure that it has widely spaced teeth and is made from a quality material, such as wood or a very hard plastic.
Hair brushing dos and don’ts
- Never just start at the top and tear though your hair; this will create a lot of breakage.
- Start brushing your hair at the ends and work your way up.
- Don’t leave your hair for weeks without brushing it then expect it to be smooth.
- Brush your hair once every day and make sure you remove all the tangles.
- Avoid over brushing as this will stress the hair and cause damage to the outer shaft.
- Stick to one good brushing session every day, and stop when all the tangles and knots are out.
- Never brush your hair wet if you are using a hair brush, as this can contribute to split ends.
- If you want to remove tangles in the shower, always go for a wide toothed comb to minimise the risk of breaking your hair or causing more tangles.
- Don’t skimp on your hair brush or comb. Although it may seem tempting to save a few pennies and go for a cheaper option, your hair will thank you for a good quality combing device.
How to comb hair properly
If your hair is starting out really knotty and tangled, apply a generous spritz of detangling spray before you start brushing.
Begin by finger combing your hair, as this will reduce the amount of tugging and pulling you do with a brush, thereby minimising any potential damage.
With your comb, start at the bottom of your hair and just comb the bottom 2-3 inches to begin with.
Next, carry on brushing higher up the hair shaft, until you have reached the roots and can do a brush all through the hair to spread out the natural oils.
Once you have brushed your hair all the way through, turn your head upside down and brush from underneath a couple of times – this will send blood rushing to your scalp which will stimulate its blood flow and encourage good hair health.
Final tips
Whatever type of brush or comb you use, you should always make sure it is clean so that you are brushing your hair without leaving any build up of product on it. It is advisable to wash your brush or comb every couple of weeks, to remove hairs and build up, and give your combing device itself a longer lease of life.
- Mix up a small bowl of shampoo and water, using a small bowl filled with water and about a teaspoon of clarifying shampoo.
- Soak the brush upside down for about 3 minutes.
- Rinse the brush with clean water, then use the end of a comb to remove stray hairs.
- Dry the hair upside down for a couple of hours, or leave it sitting in the sun to dry it quicker.
- To wash a comb, mix the same bowl of water and shampoo and leave it to soak.
- Scrub gently between the teeth with an old toothbrush, to remove and product build up.
