Healthy Hair Brushing Habits: How to Brush Your Hair the Right Way

Your hair is important. It's like a crown you wear every day, and can sometimes set you up for success when it behaves the way you dream it will.

But, what do you do if it feels like you're losing handfuls of hair every time you wash, resulting in clogged drains and less than attractive hairstyles?

Without proper care and healthy hair habits, you can find yourself struggling to experience adequate growth and strength in your locks.

Did you know that 21 million women suffer from hair loss? Whether it's from hormones, medication, genetics, or the way you treat it, you raise the risk of hair loss if you aren't brushing your hair correctly.

Are you experiencing breakage and hair loss that makes you a little uneasy? 

Read on to see if there are any brushing hair habits you can develop to save yourself from hair damage.

Top Five Brushing Hair Habits

So, what sort of brushing hair habits should you have for healthy, strong hair? 

What are the best times to brush? 

How can you prevent breakage?

1. Brush Before You Wash

Before you hop in the shower, give your hair a proper brushing. If you've just woken up, your hair could have become pretty knotted overnight, so brushing it right away will jumpstart a good hair day. 

Brushing first thing can also prevent weakening your hair issues, since your hair is weaker when it's wet.

2. Brush from the Bottom to the Top

It may feel counter-intuitive, but brushing in sections from the ends of your hair towards the roots is best. Brushing this way allows you to loosen knots in your hair more gently to prevent ripping. 

It's also a good idea to hold and brush the ends in your hand, and then place a hand further up as you move to each new section to avoid pulling out strands.

3. Be Gentle

This one may seem obvious, but gentle brushing is essential. It may feel good to pull your brush through your hair aggressively, but what is invigorating for the scalp can be extremely damaging to the follicle. Fast, strong brushing strokes can tear small knots in your hair and pull out weaker strands that can thin your hair out.

4. Don't Brush too Much

Brushing your hair too much can make your hair oily and increases the risk of breakage. When you brush several times a day, you're pulling the natural oils that your scalp produces away from where they're needed, and moving it further down the shaft.

5. Dry Your Hair Correctly

While it may be tempting to hop out of the shower, quickly pat dry your hair, and then run a brush through it; you're increasing your risk of break and tearing because your hair is weaker when it's wet. The right tools will help you dry your hair correctly, so you can brush at the proper time.

The Right Tool for the Job

Once you've learned HOW to brush your hair, it's essential to make sure that you're brushing with the right hairbrush for your hair type.

Here are a few common types of hairbrushes and their coordinating, ideal hair types or textures.

• Paddle Brush: Works great for long hair, because it helps naturally distribute your scalp's natural hairs while evenly distributing pressure. If your long hair is prone to breakage, this is a great way to help avoid that.
• Denman Brush: Is a popular detangling brush for those who have naturally curly hair. It helps to define your curls while detangling them gently.
• A Vented Brush: If you can't cut the wet brushing habit, pick up a vented hairbrush. Brushing wet hair will leave moisture in the brush, which can produce bacteria and mildew that will build up in your brush bed. A vented brush will also speed drying time when using a hairdryer.
• Boar Bristle Round Brush: Grip on to frizzy hair with a naturally coarse boar bristle brush. Work in small sections to tame your frizz.
• Large Ceramic Round Brush: If you want that freshly blown-out look, choose a large round brush to grip the hair at the roots and enhance your hair's natural volume.
• Small Round Brush: If you have bangs, grab a small round brush to keep them in line.
• Teasing Brushes: If you love to tease your hair to create volume, pick a tool designed for just that!

It's also a good idea to dry your hair correctly. Hair Turbans are a great way to gently draw the moisture out of your hair to preserve your natural oils and reduce the amount of heat you apply regularly.

Let Down Your Hair

Brushing hair habits are just as important as washing hair habits. Take care in selecting the proper brush for your hair type and use it as directed.

As with most things, there is controversial information all over the internet. If you still aren't sure how to correctly brush your hair, talk to your hairstylist next time you're in for a trim to see what they suggest.

It's also a great idea to watch closely how the professionals style your hair, what brushes they use, and how they use them.

Your stylist should also be able to tell you if it looks like you are experiencing any damage currently to your hair.

For more great tips and tricks or to ask our professionals about healthy hair care, contact us today! Drying your hair will never be the same!