Brushing is a controversial subject in hair care circles. Some say that the whole idea of brushing 100 strokes a day for healthy hair is outdated and not a good idea. But still, others claim that too many of us brush our hair less and less the finer it gets and decreased brushing is one of the worst things you could do.

We think there’s truth in both stances. Like most things in life, it depends on how you do it.

Brushing the wrong way can lead to damaged, broken and brittle hair but if you do it right – brushing can be a very good thing and a useful tool in growing your hair thicker and healthier.

Again, it all comes down to how you do it so we want to make sure you’re doing it right. Here’s how to brush your hair for healthier, thicker tresses!

When You Brush Your Hair Matters

Some conditioner bottles still advise you to comb your hair in the shower – don’t listen to them! When your hair is wet, it’s exceedingly delicate and much more susceptible to breakage. It has no elasticity and it’s more likely to snap and break in this state.

It can be tempting to comb out every tangle in your hair when you’ve got a conditioner on to aid you, but just remember that putting undue tension on your wet hair will result in breakage and split ends. Simply work and massage your conditioner through your hair and wait until it’s dry to detangle it.

If you absolutely must de-tangle your hair while it’s wet, always use a wide-toothed comb – the Mebco Shower Detangler is great – and never, ever a brush.

Work Out Tangles Before They Happen

As they say – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Totally true when it comes to preventing tangles – and the breakage and split ends they cause.

An easy way to avoid this is to comb your hair a few times throughout the day to detangle it. It doesn’t have to be obsessive – just a simple comb-check to make sure little tangles don’t escalate into big, breakage-causing knots.

Tackle the task by divvying your hair into small sections and comb downwards in long strokes. Don’t start at your roots – always begin combing close to the ends and once those tangles are gone, you can start combing higher on the same section of hair.

Be Picky with Your Brush

The kind of hairbrush – or comb – you choose is a huge determining factor in whether brushing will be good for your hair or damaging.

If you have straight hair: the only sort of brush you should use on your precious locks is a natural boar-bristle brush. Soft-bristle brushes like this are great ’cause they encourage hair growth by increasing oxygen through improved blood flow to the area.

Plus, boar bristles are gentle on hair, reduces static electricity, and has the added benefit of distributing sebum – your hair’s natural, protective oils – across the length of your hair, adding great natural shine. And unlike nylon brushes, these bristles get rid of tangles without breaking your hair.

Go for a 100% boar bristle brush and skip the ones combined with nylon – the best and very affordable, IMHO, is Spornette’s.

Boar bristle brushes are good for light waves as well but if your curls are more intense…

If you have curly hair: you’ll want to opt for a wide-tooth comb rather than a brush. This one is hands down the best comb for curly hair.