Which Hairbrush Is Best For Thick Hair?

Thick, fine, straight, curly — you may not give much thought to your hair type or how to best care for it beyond the standard lather and rinse. But, just as there are specific types of shampoo and conditioner best suited to specific hair types, there are also brushes designed to best comb through your locks. The brush you use on your hair can literally make or break it, and the truth is that many of us are guilty of ruining our hair by using the wrong one. You'll likely be surprised at the difference once you begin using the brush style recommended for your hair type.

If you have a thick head of hair, you're likely all too familiar with the process of detangling and longer blow-dry times. You may have also found that some brushes, like soft bristle brushes, really don't cut it (via Healthline). Whether your hair is long or short, if it's thick, it likely knots quickly and often, per Luxy. Luckily, there's a brush designed to combat just that.

You'll recognize a paddle brush as one that looks like, well, a paddle. It's large, flat, and rectangular. It typically has a pillow-like air cushion and bristles made of plastic (via All Things Hair). Just about anyone can use a paddle brush, but it's best suited for those with thick, long locks. It tends to work best on straight hair. And, since it's anti-static, it will give you a smooth, shiny head of hair.

Also, a pro tip: Use your paddle brush vertically rather than horizontally (via TikTok). Brushing with the handle to the side is a common hair mistake. The bristles are placed to best detangle hair in a vertical position so as not to catch the hair. This method will make a huge difference in your hair health.

If you have thick, beautiful curls, a wide-toothed comb on wet hair is likely your best bet. Brushing dry curly hair leads to a lot of frizz. A detangling brush is also a wonderful choice for curls (via Healthline).

Keeping your thick hair healthy and breakage-free requires some preventative steps. You'll want to avoid shampooing your thick hair daily and aim to wash it every few days instead (via BeautyAnswered.com). Shampooing strips your hair of its natural oils and over-washing can lead to dry, frizzy hair. While it may give the desired results in the moment, we also all know heat styling is harsh on hair. Try letting your hair air-dry more often than not to let it recover from heat damage. And speaking of damage, if you live in a climate where roaring winds are the norm, try wearing your hair in braids for protection (via Geo Wyeth).

So, you've got the precautionary steps down for your hair's protection from heat and wind, but your hair and scalp can also benefit from mother nature's herbs. According to Flora & Curl, applying peppermint oil and rosemary oil in a carrier oil, such as olive oil, will nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. The same goes for lavender hair oil. As far as internal methods go, try drinking green tea and taking nettle supplements. Your healthy, luscious hair will thank you for these rituals.