new thread
Hi Hairy People,
Just wondering how many others here have a regular hair-brushing routine. If uncertain what I'm talking about, here's exactly what I mean:
It used to be quite common in my grandmother's generation for women with long hair to regularly brush "100 strokes", from scalp to ends, in order to bring out the hair's own natural oils (sebum). Since men rarely had very long hair in those days (in that particular generation at least), it was mainly females you'd hear talk about this, advising each other about the benefits of brushing.
I had an aunt who lived in Connecticut in the East Coast of the United States who had knee-length hair, plus i also worked with a woman back in Illinois during the mid 1970s who had hip-length hair, both of whom talked about the advantages of brushing over too frequent shampooing.
This kind of brushing ritual was done when the hair was DRY ONLY -- I remember my friend and co-worker in Illinois mentioning using a comb when hair is wet, when I first asked her advise on growing my own hair out.
Even though my hair was only long-ISH in 1975 (when I first met this woman), I decided to start this habit for myself, too....
The best way that works for me is to toss my hair forward, untangling the ends first, then eventually brushing from the nape of the neck to the crown of my head, and then the full length of the hair, all in one smooth brush stroke at a time. Long before I reach the count of 100, my scalp starts to feel pleasantly "tingly", and I can feel the natural oils being distributed down hair shafts towards the ends. I try to do this ritual every day between water washings, especially when i want to postpone shampooing.
Anybody else here an avid fan of regular brushing?
Thanks in advance for any replies!
- Ken in San Francisco
In my life, as I had always been sort-haired until September 2013 except for a little shoulder-length in the 1970's, I have always combed. I feel awkward using a brush.
I can understand the use of the brush to spread natural hair oils, and I should try it on days when I'm not washing my hair (I wash and condition once a week).
I use a wide-toothed comb and take it gently. I undo the really bad knots with my fingers before continuing combing. I tend to comb about 5 to 6 times a day, or whenever I feel it needs a combing. I have a comb in my car and one in my briefcase when I go out of the house. A comb goes in your pocket very nicely but not a brush.
I looked up the question of brushing or combing (or both) on Google and found - http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/archive/index.php/t-248.html
Some people can only use a brush and not a comb, but it seems to depend on the type of hair.
BTW, I have reached 18 months and all my hair will stay in the ponytail indoors and for a short time. It will be another few months before I can go sailing with only the ponytail and without my beanie or headband. I seem to be approaching the end of my "awkward stage".
Anthony
My blog
Congrats on the ponytail mile stone, Anthony! I probably have a year or so until i can just use a hairband to tie my hair up. For now its pomade for work and nice occasions or a head band for everything else.
As far as the bushing routine, no routine for me. I only use a wide tooth comb right now. My hair is only around 4 inches right now but I don't see myself brushing at the longer lengths. My hair is so curly and thick that I will just have a big poof if I did, shorter or long. Water, I think, will be my friend in the spreading oils department.
Anyone with curly or kinky hair on the board do a brushing routine?
Hi Ken,
I normally brush my hair out first thing each morning due to it being kinda stirred up while sleeping.Normally I divide my hair in two sections and bring one side over my left shoulder and the other over the right.At that point I brush each side out separately and if there are any nasty tangles I would finger comb first before brushing.Beyond that I don't re brush unless I come home and feel it needs it since I never carry a brush with me.At work my hair is always under a ball cap so it never gets tangled anyway.When I take the cap off I shake my hair and run my fingers through it and there aren't any tangles.Outside of work while out and about I use my hair sticks which also prevents tangles.So with that said I don't brush my hair a lot but I know it would look better during the day if I did but only if I kept it loose.Hope all is well with you out west my friend:) Cheers
Mârk
I also brush my hair regularly. When the hair is wet I only use
a wide tooth comb. When the hair is dry I'll carefully
detangle the hair and then brush it. I never used to use a brush,
I only started using a brush recently.
Wow, tried your hair brushing recommendation - what a difference! My hair has a lot more volume, and is much easier to brush that way. Thanks for posting!
Hi Hairy People ... Just wondering how many others here have a regular hair-brushing routine. If uncertain what I'm talking about, here's exactly what I mean:The best way that works for me is to toss my hair forward, untangling the ends first, then eventually brushing from the nape of the neck to the crown of my head, and then the full length of the hair, all in one smooth brush stroke at a time. Long before I reach the count of 100, my scalp starts to feel pleasantly "tingly", and I can feel the natural oils being distributed down hair shafts towards the ends. I try to do this ritual every day between water washings, especially when i want to postpone shampooing. Anybody else here an avid fan of regular brushing? Thanks in advance for any replies! - Ken in San Francisco
... my current routine borders on benign neglect ...
Hi Ken,
I do not brush my hair at all. I use my fingers and a wide tooth comb. I have thick wavy hair and brushing does it no favors. I feel that to much brushing, with the wrong type of brush, could cause more spits and damage. You never want to brush wet hair.
Darrin
Hey Ken! I always really enjoy your posts. This one is exceptional though!
I've just gotten into brushing my hair. I don't know why it took me so long, I guess it kind of embarrassed me in a weird way? Seemed too feminine. I'm letting go of those notions!
My ritual is in the evening: I detangle with my fingers then run a comb gently through the ends, then through the entire length, just to get out all the snarls. My fine hair tangles so easily, there's always a lot to work out. Then I run the brush through from front to back. I brush for a couple of minutes.
It feels incredible!
I also do this about once a day at work, just to get out the tangles. But I have to do it quick because I'm so busy these days.
Tonight I'm going to try your way. Back to front sounds awesome.
Really, brushing is one of the great things about having long hair, it feels so good.