When it comes to thick hair, brushes with widely-spaced nylon bristles would be the way to go. Nylon bristles can brush through thicker locks easier than brushes with bore bristles. Thick hair tends to be tougher to penetrate and therefore needs a brush with firm and stiff bristles, ensuring more control and ease when brushing. A hairbrush with widely-spaced bristles can pass through thicker locks while maintaining the natural shape of the hair.
Fine Hair
Fine hair is prone to breakage, so it requires a gentle brush that does not tug excessively on the strands. A hairbrush with boar bristles would work the best with fine hair as the bristles are flexible, meaning there is less pull on the hair strands resulting in less breakage. Bore bristles are still stiff enough that they can detangle knots. They are also effective at distributing naturals oils from the scalp. Their bristles offer a gentle massage on the scalp that increases circulation to the hair follicles.
Curly and Kinky Hair
Like thick hair, curly and kinky hair require a brush that is strong enough to penetrate the hair, whilst maintaining the shape of the curls. Nylon brushes tend to be the go- to, however, the spacing of the bristles and the number of rows are something to take note of, as this can affect how much the brush tugs on the hair. Experts also suggest only brushing your hair when it’s wet, as this prevents frizz. Knots and tangles become looser and easier to brush through whilst wet.
Wet Hair
Wet hair does tend to be more fragile than dry hair. Therefore, the most suitable brush would be one that is flexible, vented, and widely spaced. This will ensure there is less strain on your hair as you detangle your knots or when distributing conditioner in your hair. Also, having a vented brush with widely spaced bristles allows for easy drying when using a hairdryer.
All Hair Types
A brush that seems to work for all hair types is the paddle brush. The flat rectangular back allows for more control as you brush, reducing strain. Other key features are the air-filled cushion and flexible plastic bristles, which allows the brush to bend to the natural shape and contours of your head. This brush is also great for detangling and because its shape is anti-static. Hair becomes static when it builds up an electric charge, increasing the number of fly-aways and causing frizz, making it harder to style. Luckily the use of paddle brushes prevents all that.
All in all, whether your hair is long, short, thick or fine, you need to pay attention to the brushes you use. A lot of the time we take a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to choosing and using hairbrushes. This works to our detriment, causing unnecessary hair damage and breakage. Use this article as a guide to examine if the hairbrushes you currently have, are up to the task of dealing with your locks.