Why does brushing hair feel good

Adams says this is particularly true when using a plastic brush or brushing too vigorously. As a rule of thumb, Adams says to stick to that twice a day recommendation — unless you have curly or ultra-textured hair , then brushing before shampoo is best.

When it comes to combing through the hair, it is all about how you do it. Adams warns against brushing hair while wet. As it mentioned above, brushing the hair when it is dry is optimal, but often will not work for those with curly hair. If you have straighter hair or if you prefer to brush when dry, keep in mind the following tips:. For the most part, we need a brush for detangling, one for styling, and a brush — or comb, rather — for wet strands.

And, brush care is equally as important as the type you use. As for the actual cleaning process, Adams says any gentle cleansing product such as liquid soap or even shampoo will work.

To clean, dampen the brush with lukewarm water and apply the cleaning solution. Like your scalp, lather the bristles and then rinse with warm water. Make sure to dry your brush before using it again and follow up with a disinfectant. The same applies when you visit a hair salon or blow dry bar — make sure the tools are disinfected before your styling or blowout begins.

View All. Tags health and wellness massage touch. Leave a Comment Comments are closed. November 12, by Lauryn Higgins. Powered by WordPress. You might need those heavier brush bristles to get out stubborn knots. But we want to focus on combing your hair as a really great way to take care of your scalp. Hair is fed by the bloodstream and when you comb through your scalp, you encourage blood to rise to the surface, causing micro-circulation.

This increased circulation brings with it more oxygen and nutrients, nourishing the hair roots and promoting hair growth. Along with keeping the scalp and hair moisturized, sebum coats the scalp surface and work to create the right pH balance , which is very important for healthy scalp. As a second part to activating your oil glands, combing helps distribute those important oils throughout your hair.

Natural oils are good, but who wants it to all just sit at the top of their head? Their rationale: The icy water will make the cuticle of your hair close so it's flat and light-reflective , not ruffled and dull-looking. Your hair, however, contains no living cells -- it doesn't react to cold or hot water, says chemist Mort Westman.

Use conditioners and styling products that contain silicones and oils to smooth the cuticle. And limit damage to your hair from straightening treatments, hot tools, and frequent dyeing. Myth 4. You've probably heard that rigorous brushing will distribute the natural oils from your scalp to add shine to your hair.

Or that it will stimulate blood flow to your scalp and boost hair growth. Neither is true. In fact, brushing causes friction on hair, leading to cuticle damage and breakage, which makes hair lusterless and frizzy, says Mirmirani. Brush your hair minimally only to detangle or style , and use the right tools -- a wide-toothed comb or a paddle brush with ball-tipped, plastic bristles.