Brushing your hair every day can help optimize growth potential. The brushing action helps to evenly distribute sebum across hair strands, instead of just leaving it on the scalp. That helps to naturally detangle the hair, while simultaneously flattening hair to keep it looking shiny and healthy. If you do not want your hair to look unkempt, brittle, or unhealthy, there are certain brushing tips to keep in mind. From changing the way you brush to changing the brush itself, the following brushing tips should help promote healthier hair. 

Always Brush From The Bottom To The Top

The common hair brushing technique is to start at the top of your scalp and brush all the way down to the bottom (tips) of your hair. When you work your way up the length of your hair, you actually smooth it out a lot more than brushing it the traditional way. When you brush your hair, make sure to either use a serum or detangling spray. Attempting to detangle your hair from the roots will put undue stress on your strands and contribute to breakage. 

Clean Your Hair Brush Every Other Week

One of the hair brush’s jobs is to redistribute all of the natural oils on your scalp where your roots are to the rest of your hair. If your hair brush contains residue from bacteria, grime, and hair products, it can do more damage than good. Experts encourage you to clean your hair brush every other week, or more frequently, if your hair is long. Don’t know if your hair brush needs a good wash? Look at the tips of the bristles and see if products form on them. Before washing your hair brush, make sure to pull out all existing hair. Next, wash it with regular shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Dry the hair brush in the sun to prevent bacterial growth. 

Get A Cushioned Brush If Your Hair Is Fine

If you have fine, fragile, or delicate hair, please understand that your hair requires more care than normal hair does. Avoid hair brushes with metal-tipped or pokey bristles because they can damage your scalp or tear your hair. If you have delicate hair, choose a hair brush that has balled or rounded tips. Need to check the quality of your hair brush? Run it over the inside of your hands to see how aggressive it is. 

Brush Your Hair Before You Shampoo It

How is this even possible? Well, it may not be possible for certain hair types, particularly curly or very thick hair. If you can brush your hair before you shampoo it, though, you can help loosen product buildup or dirt on the scalp. That can make the shampooing process more effective, as it can wash away the dirt and buildup. Additionally, this process can help you avoid product or dirt getting stuck in knots or tangles. 

Replace Your Brush Often

Cleaning your brush is great for hair hygiene, but you also have to get a new hair brush from time to time. It can be hard to bid farewell to a beloved brush, but, like most things in life, a brush has an expiration date. When you notice that the bristles fray and start falling off, get your wallet out and buy a new brush. A higher quality hair brush should last for two to three years before you have to toss it out and repeat the cycle again. 

Choose The Right Brush To Prevent Static

Finding the right brush for your hair can prove difficult at times. Once you find the right brush, you’ll be able to save lots of time and money when you need new ones in the future. The shape, size, and type matters, but so does the cushion, bristles, and other features. Does your hair get charged up when you brush it? Consider using a brush that has negative ions. Choose a brush that has boar, wood, metal, or other natural bristles, and avoid using brushes with plastic bristles. 

Don’t Over-brush Your Hair

Brushing is not a process that you rush. As much as you would like to get it over with, brushing is an action that requires care and attention. Brushing wet hair, even though it is easy to detangle, can cause it to break more easily. Avoid over-brushing as much as possible to minimize the stress you put on your hair. Use a wide-toothed comb or a hair brush that has natural, flexible bristles when you brush your hair, and glide it slowly through your hair without too much force.

Vincent Stevens

Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.