One of the first things each of us does when waking up in the morning or getting ready before leaving the house is brushing the hair. After all, it’s a very simple action we perform without thinking about it since childhood, and it helps us achieve a much more graceful appearance in an instant. How would you react if we told you that you’ve been doing it wrong? You’d probably be surprised, because what is there to know about it, and how could it possibly be complicated? Well, it turns out there are all sorts of small mistakes we make while brushing our hair that can significantly damage it. Since we don’t underestimate the importance of this simple action and know that the appearance of your hair can greatly affect the rest of your day, we’ll present in the following article 8 common mistakes in hair brushing that can harm your hair – and how to fix them. Wishing you a good hair day!
1. Brushing in the Wrong Direction
Brushing hair seems like a very simple action – you start from the roots and brush downward to the ends, as we were taught to do from a young age. That’s why I was surprised to discover that this is a harmful mistake, because this method can pull hairs from the follicle they grow from, making them more brittle. So, what’s the correct and healthy way to brush your hair? Very simple – from bottom to top. Start by brushing the ends downward and untangling any knots there, then brush from a slightly higher point each time. This way, you’ll not only prevent hair breakage but also encourage its growth. Another way to optimize this process is to divide your hair into sections and untangle knots in each section separately – of course, brushing from bottom to top.
2. Brushing Only the Ends
Some of you may already know how important it is to start brushing from the ends, as we explained in the previous section, but don’t make the effort to continue upward to the roots. If you’re one of those people, know that this is a mistake, because your scalp produces nourishing oils meant to give your hair a healthy and shiny appearance. To help them do so and achieve the perfect hair look you desire, you need to brush from the scalp as well, following the method we described earlier. Moreover, when you brush your hair, you’re not just tidying it up – you’re also giving your scalp a gentle massage that can improve blood circulation and promote healthy hair growth. So don’t settle for just untangling those pesky knots at the ends; invest a little more in brushing all your hair.
3. Brushing Too Frequently
In my youth, I used to brush my hair too often, every few hours, because I felt it wasn’t neat enough – at least not as neat as I wanted it to be. Every time I did this, my mother would comment on it, explaining that I was pulling out my hair for no reason. In recent years, I discovered she was right – brushing your hair too many times a day can weaken and break it. So how often should we brush our hair each day? According to experts, twice a day is enough – once in the morning and once in the evening. If you do it at this frequency and in the manner we described above, you’ll help the nourishing oils from your scalp reach the ends of your hair in the right amount for its health. In this case, just remember that less is more.
4. Not Brushing Hair Before Washing
Many of us with long hair brush it right after washing to ensure it dries neat and tangle-free, but how many of you do it beforehand? Probably not many, and that’s a shame. The reason is that brushing your hair just before stepping into the shower can prevent those tangles from forming during the wash. Additionally, instead of rubbing shampoo into your scalp, you should gently massage it, and instead of vigorously towel-drying your hair, simply wrap it in the towel. This way, it will be neater and smoother – and you won’t need to rush to brush it while it’s still wet. If you insist on washing and drying aggressively, untangle knots and brush wet hair gently with your fingers first, and only then with your brush – this will cause less damage.
5. Using a Brush That Doesn’t Suit Your Hair
You’re brushing your hair correctly and at the right frequency, but it’s still breaking and getting pulled out? The reason might be your brush or comb, which simply doesn’t suit your hair type. Generally, a regular, flat, wide brush is designed for easy, painless detangling and works for all hair types, reaching all areas of the hair without breaking it. If you have fine hair, you should use a round brush – it detangles stubborn knots painlessly and adds volume to your hair. For curly hair, it’s recommended to use one with wide gaps between the bristles. If you have thick hair, you should brush with a round brush typically associated with blow-drying, as it adds volume to the hair.
6. Using the Same Brush – for Wet and Dry Hair
If you read section 4 and still decided to keep brushing your hair while it’s wet, at least do it with a suitable brush. Sure, we touched on this in the previous section, but is the brush we use for dry hair also suitable for wet hair? Experts would loudly answer “No!” because wet hair is more fragile and requires gentler treatment. Therefore, you should brush your wet hair with a wide-toothed comb, which is suited for this condition and helps evenly distribute any products you apply or spray on your hair after showering. You can also use a round brush, which detangles knots easily and without pain.
7. Brushing Curly Hair While Dry
Experts recommend that those of you with curly hair avoid brushing it while dry, as this action can damage the skin layers covering the hair follicles or even ruin the curls. Instead, spray your hair with a detangling spray and separate the curls with your hands easily and effortlessly. If you insist on brushing your curls while dry, do so with a suitable brush as mentioned in section 5, and make sure to do it only twice a day.
8. Not Cleaning the Brush or Comb
We all probably clean our brush or comb from time to time, but sometimes it’s too late and not for the right reason; you probably notice that brushing leaves hair on them, and today we’ll reveal that dirt from your scalp accumulates on them too. If you don’t clean these tools for a long time, oils might build up on their bristles and spread onto your hair in an unflattering way during brushing. To avoid all this, you don’t need to clean these tools every day – once every two weeks is enough. To do it properly, start by removing the hair that’s accumulated on them, then soak them in a mixture of warm water and shampoo for about 4 minutes. With this method, you’ll not only clean them properly but also make them more durable and your hair less oily.
