Brushing hair has many benefits:
1. It untangles hair before shampooing.2. It removes loose scales from the scalp.
3. It distributes natural oil evenly throughout the hair. But like anything in life, what is good can turn bad, if not done in moderation. That’s why you must learn how to do it properly.
Here are some simple rules to follow:
1. Brush selection: What is the number one brand among celebrities and celebrity hair dressers? It is Mason Pearson. If this brand is outside of your price range, however, you will benefit from the following selection tips: Natural, animal bristles are far better than nylon bristles. Natural bristles have rounded ends. Nylon bristles have squared-off, harsh ends that can create cracks and splits in the hair. The body should be firm with the bristles attached to it by a rubber base.
2. Brush Cleaning: They should be cleaned every other time you wash your hair, or at least once a week. You can clean your combs in the same way. Simply fill your sink with luke warm water. Add a tablespoon of liquid shampoo and two or three drops of ammonia, and swirl them through the mixture. Let the them sit in the soapy water for 10 minutes. Drain the sink water, and rinse them out. Dry them with a towel. By cleaning them regularly, you will be counteracting buildup on your hair, and ensuring a long life.
3. When to: : Do it as little as possible. Only enough to style the hair, and only enough to remove tangles and distribute oil before shampooing. If your hair tangles before bedtime, you may brush it then too, but only enough to get the tangles out. Do not buy the old wives’ tale, which claims that brushing your hair a lot, 100 to 200 strokes a day, is good for the hair! It is good for breaking the hair! Going overboard like this is a guarantee for split ends.
4.How to: : Do it gently, to avoid snagging the hair and breaking it. Start close to the ends and stroke downward, freeing tangles. When tangles at the ends are gone, move up to the middle and work down, freeing those tangles and so on, moving up as you go along. Never begin at your crown and work down! The bottom is usually more tangled and requires all your effort first, to prevent breakage! When you have freed all tangles, flip your head forward and stroke the hair at the nape of your neck toward the top of your head. Again, be sure to do this only as much as needed to remove tangles and distribute oil! (The distribution of oil usually only requires 2 to 3 strokes.)
What is the proper way to comb hair?
A good rule of thumb is to only use your brush when your hair is dry and your comb when your hair is wet. Reversing this rule will cause the hair to break.
1. Comb Selection: Choose a comb that is firm and not easily bentunder pressure. The teeth should be evenly spaced and not too closed together (this may put unneeded stress on the hair). Long-haired and thick-haired individuals should use a wide-toothed comb.
2. Comb cleansing: You may clean your brushes and combs in one shot, for your convenience (see ‘Brush Cleaning’ ).
3. When to Comb: Whenever hair is wet, for example, when untangling freshly-washed hair, when in early stages of blow-drying, or when creating styles with gel on wet hair. A comb may be used on the dry hair of a person with very short hair.
4. How to Comb: Begin toward the ends, freeing tangles as you work your way up, section by section, to the crown. Comb gently. You may wish to use a detangling or leave-in conditioner spray, to help free tangles with ease and add softness and sheen to hair
