Are You Brushing Your Hair Correctly? Follow This Expert Advice
Brushing your hair may seem like a simple, everyday task that is impossible to get wrong, but according to the experts, many people aren’t brushing their hair correctly at all. Below, you can learn more about how and when to brush your hair to get the best possible results for the long term.
The Benefits of Brushing
If you think brushing your hair is all about detangling, think again. Brushing your hair has numerous benefits that go far beyond removing tangles. First, it helps to distribute healthy natural oils throughout your hair, which prevents oil from building up at the scalp and creating a “greasy” look. These natural oils protect your hair from the elements, too. What’s more, as you brush your hair, you are actually stimulating those oil-producing sebaceous glands, and you are also removing the 100 or so hairs you lose every single day, on average.
These benefits are best realized if you flip your head upside down and brush from the nape through the tips of the hair, then flip your head back over and brush from the crown of your head and forehead down through the length again. It’s the best way to distribute oils and ensure a healthy shine.
How Often Should You Brush?
According to the experts, most people should be brushing their hair no more than twice per day – once in the morning and once again in the evening. This provides the best benefit without overstimulating oil glands. However, if your hair is very long, or if your hair is very dry, you may want to brush three times a day to keep tangles at bay and encourage the production of natural oil. If your hair is oily or curly, brushing once a day – or even once per shampoo – is typically ideal.
You should never brush your hair while it is wet. Wet hair is susceptible to breakage, and regularly brushing it while it is wet can do some real damage. Use a wide-tooth comb in the shower to distribute conditioner evenly and help remove tangles. This should greatly reduce the need to brush your hair immediately after a shampoo.
What Kind of Brush Should You Use?
If your hair is more than a couple inches long, you will need three separate tools: a comb for detangling wet hair, a styling brush, and a detangling brush. Use the comb in the shower to distribute conditioner, the detangling brush in the morning to help remove any mats or tangles, and then the styling brush alongside your hair dryer or other tools to create the style that defines you.
Make sure that you clean these tools at least once a week, as well. You can remove hair with a comb, and then remove any product buildup with a cotton swab or toothbrush dipped in a gentle cleanser or shampoo of your choice. You might also choose to spray your brushes with a gentle disinfected to prevent bacteria buildup.
Brushing your hair may seem as natural as putting on your favorite dress, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it, and your unique “right way” depends on your unique head of hair. The advice here will help you keep your hair in better health for the long term.