“You should never brush curly hair” - Really…but why?

Have you met the curly hair police?

They're all over social media and just love telling everyone 'the rules', never moving an inch or giving any particular reasons why.

They're also often contradicting one another, which can make things pretty confusing.

Now if we've learned one thing over the years it's that RARELY is there a rule that is applicable to everyone.

“You should never brush curly hair” is no different.

Firstly, we need to separate brushing wet hair from brushing dry hair.

It's generally advised never to detangle wet hair of any texture with a brush, unless using a specific detangling brush.

This is due to the grip that round and bristle brushes have on the hair, which can stretch the hair excessively when attempting to work out those knots.

When hair is wet it is in a weaker state, so is easier to stretch, and break.

Next, it's important to note that there is a difference between 'detangling wet hair' and 'brushing wet hair once already detangled'.

Detangling:

Hard/firm toothed brushes that do not have much 'give' or 'flex' to them (eg a classic Denman brush) are often advised against for detangling. This is because the teeth can tug or snag, causing discomfort, and putting excess tension on the hair.

Flexible toothed brushes, such as a tangle teezer for example, use less tension as the teeth bend and release the hair when it snags.

HOWEVER.

Both types of brush can make for excellent styling brushes on wet hair that has already been detangled.

This may be to aid clumping, for example, or product distribution.

Brushing dry hair

The main reason behind the advice never to brush curly hair when dry is based on styling preference.

In order to create curls, waves or coils that are 'frizz free', groups of strands of hair must be allowed to clump together - as shown in the red hair image.

Brushing the hair will separate out these clumped strands to create less defined, fluffier, more voluminous ('frizzy') hair.

This is not necessarily a problem. It is purely a styling preference.

Below, see the same head of hair (although rocking a different colour) brushed out.

We're sure you'll agree that both are equally beautiful.

Finally, brushing curly hair when dry may be less frequently advised than brushing straight hair when dry, as more styling products such as gels, or creams with hold, may have been used.

It can be helpful to mist, dampen or wet down curly hair, to soften out previous products prior to detangling with any tool.

This will help to minimise snagging, breakage and discomfort.