This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Hair brushing is one of the universal beauty habits that across the board most people complete when getting ready for the day. If you find yourself with a knot in your hair, it’s only natural to yank a brush through in order to get it out, but this tugs at your strands from the root and puts them at risk for fallout. However, tugging at knots is not the only brushing mistake you could be making that results in thinning strands, and if you’ve been noticing more fallout than normal there may be a few adjustments you can make to your beauty routine to keep your locks in place. According to hair experts, this is the one thing you should avoid when brushing your hair each day, and what you should be doing instead.
It’s likely that when you get out of the shower you’re apt to drag a brush through your hair to smooth the tangles so it dries nicely. But while this habit had been ingrained in you since childhood, brushing your hair when wet can actually be incredibly damaging to your strands, expediting fallout for visibly thinner locks. “Wet hair is more fragile and vulnerable to breakage. Hair that's been over-stretched when wet will have a frizzy and unmanageable appearance and impossible to control,” warns Steve Waldman, former L'Oreal Artist and Director, and current Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery Family of Brands. Wet locks are more prone to snapping and breakage, so dragging a harsh brush through them after your shower on a regular basis can have a severe impact over time.
It is important, however, to continue to detangle your locks in order to preserve their appearance as well. Therefore, the type of brush that you opt for is one of the most important factors for preventing fallout. “After shampooing and conditioning, use a brush specifically designed to detangle wet hair. When you encounter resistance and tangles use a rocking motion with the brush to safely remove tangles,” says Waldman. “I like a brush with a blend of natural and nylon bristles. The nylon bristles keep the strands separated and tangle-free while the natural bristles give the proper amount of tension to create your desired look.”
Natural bristles can help to smooth over the hair and create a silky effect without ripping strands from the root, but it’s also worthwhile evaluating the space between the bristles when choosing a brush. “For daily brushing, a brush with bristles that are spaced further apart is more ideal - the further the better. Round tips will aid circulation to the scalp without scratching and a cushioned bed will help you avoid tugging and losing hair as you detangle,” suggests hair expert Ghanima Abdullah. Since plastic bristles can scratch at the scalp and irritate the roots of your hair, natural bristles that are spread out across the brush are going to be your best bet for a great head of hair with minimal fallout and thinning.
While some causes of hair fallout aren’t as easy to deal with, making simple fixes such as swapping out your hair brush and implementing gentle practices when brushing your hair can all be valuable for reducing the risk of thinning hair. With a natural bristle brush that glides over strands instead of tugging at the roots, you can preserve the longevity of your hair while still smoothing its appearance. A well-rounded approach to hair care is vital for growing your best, healthiest locks, so making sure to treat them with care will help to limit hair loss over time for a thick, healthy mane.
