Why Brushing Your Hair Is Essential For Terrific Tresses

When we think of a good haircare routine, our minds immediately go to extensive, and expensive, products. Many of us consider drenching our tresses in serums, hair butter, and masks to achieve the luscious locks of our dreams. Once the perfect concoction of products has been crafted, we inevitably realize the time and effort required and conclude that it's simply not sustainable. Don't get too disappointed, though, because the truth is that something as simple as brushing your hair correctly can be a total game-changer.

To be frank, brushing isn't a priority for most of us. Instead of viewing it as an important step, it's easy to think of brushing your hair as a precursor that detangles it for further styling. It might even be a bit daunting because of all the hair that falls out as you comb. But, according to celebrity hairstylist Kim Robinson, hair fallout isn't a cause for concern as long as it doesn't exceed the expert-suggested number of 100 strands per day. 

He added that the hair that shows up in your brush would've shed away naturally anyway, so you might just be doing your future self a favor by giving yourself less to clean (via the South China Morning Post). While detangling is an obvious benefit of regular hair brushing, there's plenty more to love about the simple act too. 

Hair brushing could actually be the key to those dreamy, shiny, and strong locks you've always wanted. Hairstylist-to-the-stars Vincent De Marco spoke about its benefits with Healthline. He began by explaining that the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles produce nourishing oils that are fantastic for scalp health, and a good delivery system is just what they need to thrive at their job. De Marco elaborated, "When you brush your hair properly, it helps distribute these natural, healthy oils, from the roots of your hairs to the ends, giving them a natural shine."

If you feel relaxed after continuously running your fingers through your hair, it's worth remembering that it's just as heavenly for your scalp. It's not only calming but also nourishing for your hair. Lisa Abbey, a professional hair stylist and haircare brand owner, confirmed the positive effects of hair brushing on the scalp when she spoke to Best Life, noting, "Brisk brushing stimulates the scalp and increases blood flow to your follicles which nourishes the hair and scalp and can lead to improved hair growth." 

Dry brushing your hair before showering is also beneficial because it helps to detangle painful knots, reducing the chances of pesky post-shower tangles (via Women's Health). It will also naturally cleanse your scalp of dead skin cells, pollutants, and product build-up, per the South China Morning Post. 

Too much of a good thing can be bad, and the same goes for hair brushing. David Adams, a consultant trichologist at NYC's FOURTEENJAY salon, recommends brushing your locks twice a day to keep them healthy — once in the morning and again in the evening before bed (via the Sunday Edit). A common mistake we all make when brushing is going from the roots to the tips, but the other way around is less damaging because you're not roughly tugging your strands away from your roots, and weakening your cuticles, as Nikhil Patil, the style director at Jean-Claude Biguine India, warned Vogue India. 

If you have straight hair, you should steer clear of brushing while it's wet because your follicles are at their weakest immediately after you shower, per dermatologist Dr. Geetika Mittal Gupta, the founder of ISAAC (via Vogue India). As trichologist Shab Reslan further explained to Byrdie, "Brushing it in that condition can actually overstretch, overpull, and ultimately tear your hair."

The opposite is true for curly and textured hair. If you want to avoid painful detangling with dry hair and keep your curls well-defined, you should brush your tresses when they're still damp, as Felicia Leatherwood, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Brush With the Best, recommended to Mane Addicts. Ensure it's well-conditioned, though, and always be gentle. It's equally important to pick the right brush for your hair type.