We all think we’re caring for our hair the right way, especially after we step out of the shower. But what if I told you that reaching for your brush while your hair is still wet could be doing more harm than good?
It’s a reflex many of us have developed: leaving the shower, hair dripping, and instinctively grabbing a brush to detangle before drying. While this quick action feels harmless—and even beneficial—it might actually lead to damaged ends, lackluster volume, or that constant feeling of dull, lifeless hair.
Why Bad Hair Detangling Can Damage Your Locks
When your hair is wet, it undergoes significant changes. It’s not just heavier; it’s also far more fragile. The cuticle, which serves as a protective layer around each hair, opens up when exposed to water, making hair more susceptible to breakage.
With just a simple stroke of the brush, you run the risk of:
- Creating split ends by breaking the hair fibers.
- Pulling hair from the roots, causing more harm than good.
- Forming tighter knots than you intended to remove.
But there’s more at stake. Many hairstylists and trichologists have pointed out that this common habit could be gradually thinning hair for a lot of women, especially those with long, fine, or color-treated locks.
The Best Practices for Detangling Hair
So is it time to banish detangling altogether? Not quite. Instead, the focus should be on when and how you do it.
Here’s the expert-approved method:
- Always detangle your hair before you shower, when it’s completely dry, to gently free any knots accumulated over the course of the day.
- After shampooing, gently blot your hair with a microfiber towel to remove excess moisture—no vigorous rubbing.
- Apply a quality detangling product or leave-in conditioner, and let it dry to at least the semi-damp stage before detangling.
- Use a wide-toothed brush or a wooden comb, starting from the ends and working your way up.
And remember, put down that brush after your bath. Your hair truly will thank you, and you’ll notice the difference in the mirror.
Why This Mistake Is So Hard to Break
So, what makes this habit so persistent? We often inherit these behaviors from our mothers, see them in advertising, or simply take them as implicit truths. These are the beauty rituals we rarely question. But that’s where the problem lies: it’s often our strongest habits that cause the most trouble.
Furthermore, our connection to our hair can be quite emotional. The urge to detangle immediately can stem from a desire for control, giving us a false sense of manageability, especially when our hair is wet. It’s truly an illusion.
Breaking this habit requires us to rethink our approach. Like any good hair detox, recognizing what we do and understanding why change is necessary is the first step forward.
Photo credit: @pinterest
