Tame Your Tresses: The difference between brushing & combing your hair

Besides your usual shampoo, conditioner and hair oils, two very essential tools to ensure a tame mane are your handy brush and comb, both of which help to groom your hair to make sure it looks presentable to the public. Perhaps some of you aren’t sure of the differences between brushing your hair and combing your hair because you usually use these hair tools to release tangles and smoothen the look of your tresses, which both methods achieve in the end.

However, there are some fundamental differences that you need to take note of when choosing which hair tool to use. Taking care of your hair goes beyond just its appearance – you should also consider the amount of damage that can be caused when using the wrong method. Here’s a basic guide to help you better understand what you should be doing instead.

A traditional hairbrush

Brushing with a wooden boar bristle brush helps remove tangles from dry hair, along with the dirt and dead skin that gets trapped within during the course of the day. Brushing your hair also spreads the oil from your scalp and nourishes the rest of your hair. This is why an oily scalp usually looks a lot healthier once you brush through the limp hair at the top of your head. Avoid rushing through this process.

A paddle brush

For thick, wet hair, you can separate your tangles using a synthetic paddle brush, working your way up from the ends to the roots. It also helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine when used on dry hair, and will generally neaten your hair. The size of the brush doesn’t matter too much, but just be sure to use a bigger one if you have thicker, longer hair.

A round brush

Round brushes work better when used on layered hair, to give volume and waves with an added bounce. A big round brush is also a handy tool if you want to ditch the curling iron and create curls manually with a blow dryer instead. This technique can also help to dry damp hair quickly, and boost the volume of your mane.

A wide-toothed comb

This is an essential hair tool if you want to remove tangles from wet hair, as it has been found to be the most effective method. It also reduces damage that can be caused by brushing too hard or too quickly, since the wide spaces between the teeth of the comb glide through your tresses smoother than the bristles of a brush would. Remember to comb from underneath tangles instead of above, so you don’t end up pulling at the roots of your hair. A comb is also extremely useful for separating curly hair.

A fine-toothed comb

A fine-toothed comb is usually tall, with a pointy end that helps you part and style your hair easily. This should only be used if you’re styling and dividing your hair, especially if you want clean sections for complicated hairstyles such as braids.

As you can see, there isn’t one comb that will fit to all your hair needs. To truly care for your hair, you’ll need to invest in different tools to ensure a healthy shine and minimal damage. Don’t worry, once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll find that styling your hair the right way will be second nature to you.

Dione Chen

Photo: Getty Images

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