The Long Hair Community

Soulscribe66 · February 25th, 2006, 10:40 AM

I have a question. Since joining LHC I stopped brushing my hair. Mainly because the brush I have is one of the brushes with little balls on the ends of the bristles (or are they plastics?). I can't remember which thread said that they can be bad on your hair. It was an very good decision as I have cut my breakage by more than 1/2 I'd say. But I miss brushing!

Do any of you 2a or b/C/iii brush your hair? If so, what kind of brush are you using? Thanks!

Koala Kim · February 25th, 2006, 10:49 AM

Seamless combs all the way!

I have tried on and off to use a BBB (boar bristle brush) since it's supposed to be better for your hair. Nope- not happenin'.

Hair turns into a frizzfest.

Even with the addition of a light oil- hair would still want to frizz on me.

Dulci · February 25th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Those little ball-tipped brushes were murder on my hair too.

You might like a Traditional Denman brush, they feel wonderful on your scalp.

I have the chrome handled one, my daughter has the Candy Stripe. Sally's Beauty Supply usually carries the plain black ones.

shella13 · February 25th, 2006, 11:09 AM

I use a brush, but only on 3rd or 4th day hair. By then my waves are falling out and some of the natural oils are settling in. I just love the way it feels on my scalp!

It does make it look kind of frizzy, but I kind of run my hand down behind the brush, smoothing it down. I like to give a good but gentle brushing before a wash-- it guarantees no tangles and helps to loosen up any little flakeys on my scalp. Other than that I only use a wide tooth comb.

I wish I could show you my brush-- I bought it from Avon 15 years ago! It's a black paddle brush, the head is oval shaped with the red padding and skinny black bristles. I guess it's similar to a BBB, but maybe not as dense. I've had it so long and thankfully have been able to keep up with it. I remember when I first ordered it it said it was for thick hair and would help tame frizzies. It does as long as I use it right.

Maybe I can get a picture of it.....

HermioneHair · February 25th, 2006, 11:12 AM

I have 2b hair, and I still brush (unless I want my hair to look really wavy, but I can't go long without brushing). I used to use a Denman brush, and I loved it, but it broke and then melted (still a good brush, it was my fault). The place where I got it stopped carrying them, so then I bought a fake Denman ($3) at Walgreens, and I do like it, but it's a little stiffer, so I have to be gentler on my scalp. Before that I used a Body Works brush with the little balls on the bristles, and I liked that, it was very soft on my scalp, but my hair was too strong for it, so all the bristles fell out or were bent. I don't think it pulled my hair out much, but I don't remember. I've heard that wooden-bristle brushes are really good, too. You might look into getting one of those.

Delila · February 25th, 2006, 11:37 AM

I've been experimenting with the whole brush/no brush/comb only thing ever since I started posting here last spring.

I think I've decided that my scalp is happiest if I don't brush, even though it does feel good. I also think my hair has less breakage, even if I restrict my brushing to high quality BBBs and to using them only to brush my scalp, not my length.

I haven't used a brush in ages, just finger combing to get tangles gently out of wet hair, then seamless wide toothed combs only on dry hair.

I think it's going to take a while for me to be able to tell if my breakage issues are helped at all, but so far so good.

birdiefu · February 25th, 2006, 11:50 AM

I brush once in a while, but not as much as before I came to LHC. I usually comb with a seamless Creative or horn comb, though. I have a Denman- the plastic kind with no balls on the tips- it's very gentle for me. I also have a few BBBs, but I only use them when I'm not going to be out in public, since they really slick my hair down. I might use the denman every couple days, BBB once a week or less.

Kris · February 25th, 2006, 12:02 PM

I haven't brushed my hair in years literally. I have for as long as I can remember used a wide tooth comb. Recently I got a Conair shower comb for detangling in the shower. What a difference it has made already just detangling IN the shower.

lh1299 · February 25th, 2006, 12:35 PM

i know brushing is bad for my hair, but sometimes im in a big hurry so i use one anyway, my hair looks good for the day, but i really pay for it the next day with very frizzy hair but when i use my wide tooth combs i notice a real difference within a week. but sometimes i miss brushing too

Anadyomene · February 25th, 2006, 12:56 PM

I use a wide toothed seamless comb for my hair when it is wet, but I love my BBB and my hair loves it too it is so gentle and I find that it gives my hair soo much shine and when I find any tangles not many generally but when I do I just use my fingers to untangle them.
Everyones hair likes different things.

BTW my waves generally seem to hold up to my brushing.

eucalyptus · February 25th, 2006, 01:29 PM

My hair has been acting 2a/2b recently (the amount of waviness is completely unpredictable), and I use a shower comb to detangle, and a few strokes with a BBB on non wash nights to redistribute oil. I haven't brushed in a while and personally, I find the change to be refreshing, and better on my hair.

Wikky Grrl · February 25th, 2006, 01:39 PM

I quit using the plastic style when I started reading here.

I still use my BBB's but not everyday. The main reason I quit using the BBB's is that in the dryness of my climate, the resulting static electricity would cause instant snarls and attract every bit of lint in the vicinity!

Now I wait a few days after shampoo for the oils to re-accumulate or only use the BBB's in conjunction with oil application.

I find using Ric's combs with hair cleansers/ products that WORK for my hair to be the best. The waves seem less inclined to dissolve into what I always think of as "frothy hair" a.k.a. BIG HAIR.

I really think I lose less hairs now and my hair feels thicker too.

tsenglish@ns.sy · February 25th, 2006, 01:49 PM

I don't brush or comb dry at all on wash day, seamless comb after washing then no touchy-woutchy. second day i can usually get away with finger combing to remove any tangles. day 3 and after i need to seamless comb. i have a bbb but i havent used it in ages since my hair looks pretty bad after

, feels good though! but the ends get too flyaway. i am 2b-c with a few 3a on a good day.

roxydarnit · February 25th, 2006, 04:17 PM

Mostly - I don't brush. I use a wide tooth comb or hair pick.

What brushing I do is with a mixed boar bristle and nylon (straight BBB just doesn't work for me...) and it's usually just to spread oils, smooth a style or (I love this feeling) brush right before washing - but then I'm getting into the scalp - not my ends...

MariaAZ · February 25th, 2006, 04:33 PM

I started brushing my hair at least once a day a few months ago, after many years of wide tooth combing only. I haven't noticed an increase in breakage, though I also haven't noticed any positive changes that couldn't be attributed to a few other changes I've also instituted. The brushing definitely pulls out my waves though, and for this I may consider not brushing as much.

One thing I've found that helps the static problem is to mist my brush lightly with a weak vinegar rinse (maybe 1 tsp or so vinegar in 8 oz water). When I do this, I don't have any problems with static.