Brushing - Bad for the Hair or Not?

[Nyambura]

I've come across this information from various sources: brushing is bad for the hair. Is this true?

I have a super-soft all natural boar bristle brush that smooths the hair (I don't use it for detangling). However, I don't want to damage my hair.

TIA

 

[Tracy]

Most of the sources I've seen who assert this view (and I agree with it) seem to feel that smoothing a style into place, gently with a soft brush is fine. It's the 100 strokes a day myth that's being dispelled here IMO.

I was confused about this for a while too and then I re-read a few things and this was the conclusion I came to. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

HTH

 

[adrienne0914]

i agree with this. the only thing i use a brush for is to smooth my edges down for the bun. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

adrienne

 

[hairfanatic]

Hi Nyambura,

I think it depends on the strength of a person's hair. When I was younger, my mother used to just put water on my hair and brush. Now that I am older, my hair can't take constant brushing. I don't dare brush with a heavy brush. I brush right before I get ready to wash my hair with a wig brush. During the week, I smooth my hairline with Gel and my fingers.

 

[Elyse]

<font color="#666666">
I brush my hair at the crown area to smooth down flyaways. I too use a soft natural bristle brush. I never brush through the length of my hair becaue I do believe that it is damaging in the long term /images/graemlins/frown.gif. </font color>

 

[oregonchick97266]

i agree with hairfrantic. my hair especially after 4 weeks can not handle a brush. i only finger comb and use a wide tooth comb. it just depends on the hair type and strenth you have. for my hair the less manipulation the better

 

[Boadicea]

I get more damage smoothing my hair down for a bun than I do with 100 strokes.

I usually only brush my hair the first few weeks after a relaxer, using Amla oil.

If your hair is relaxed, the safest brush you can use is a paddle brush, if you want to brush out your length. Comb your hair first, add a light (easily absorbed) oil and then brush your hair.

 

[CocoaCure]

The only time I brush (and it's with a super soft Boar bristle brush) is when I'm wrapping it. Otherwise, I just smooth my "baby hair" down with my fingers and it stays then just comb the rest back into the bun.

 

[Karonica]

I brush, mainly for ponytails and my edges. I see nothing harmful about it, for my hair anyway.

 

[Dutchess]

I stopped brushing my hair years ago which was one of the best things I could do for my hair.

 

[jrw]

I don't brush my hair unless I have put oil in my hair and detangled it. I brush once or twice a day, usually in the morning and sometimes at night. I use a porcupine brush that is combination boar bristle and plastic bristles. I do agree that a person should brush their hair too much. 100 strokes is definitely too much. I also agree that it depends on how strong the person's hair is and finding the right brush that is gentle on the hair.

 

[BlackMarilyn]

i've stopped brushing months now. my sis stopped a few months before me and her hair has grown significantly. she got bra strap length or maybe more.

 

[LABETT]

I still brush my hair occasionally and have no problems.

 

[Victorian]

I brush. I like my boar bristle brush. I can't get my hair to lay down right without some sort of brushing

 

[InsertCleverNameHere]

I brush and I love brushes! I use them to put my hair in a bun, and I just use a regular old brush (the kind that costs about a 1.50 at Walmart). I also like the brushes with the big bristles and use those as well when my hair is straight. It feels good on my scalp

 

[katie]

I don't brush at all.I lose too many little hairs like that.

 

[DahomeyAhosi]

I don't brush at all. While natural for a year I lost the habit ...

 

[joyous]

I've decided to stop brushing and see if there is a big difference. Right now I only brush once a day with a soft brush. I always spray the bristles with a light oil before using this helps it glide through easily.

 

[Angelicus]

I dont brush at all. that was the only tip that I thought was useful from UBH