Which Hairbrush Is Best For Fine Hair?
A mantra people with fine hair would've probably heard a lot is "handle with care." Maybe you caught on to this after using the wrong kind of hair product or after trying to comb your hair immediately after a shower, both of which can be detrimental to fine hair. Fine hair, while easy to style and maintain, comes with its own set of challenges, according to It's A 10 Haircare. The goal for anyone with fine hair is to avoid unnecessary hair breakage and to maintain the appearance of volume.
Did you know that fine hair and thin hair are two different things? It's got to do with texture and the number of hairs on your head. Hairstylist Paul Rus, explaining the difference to MarthaStewart.com, said, "Density is always a differentiating factor — fine hair means the strand of hair is smaller in diameter, while thin hair means there's simply fewer strands of hair growing, no matter how thick."
Now that we've got the definitions out of the way, let's move on to brushing your hair. This simple activity that you turn to each morning and night (or even once a day) has benefits as well, per Healthline, but there is a method to it. Stylists recommend different types of hairbrushes for different hair types, so what's the consensus on fine hair?
Boar bristle hairbrushes are best for fine hair
If you have fine hair, what you should be looking for when it comes to a hairbrush is one that'll help with detangling but is also gentle on your locks, per Bustle, and boar bristle hairbrushes do both. Breakage is a big concern with fine hair and brushes made with soft boar bristles help avoid that. Hairstylist to the stars Andrew Fitzsimons, speaking to Well And Good, shared, "This type of brush has soft bristles that are gentle on the hair and scalp. The bristles' stiff texture detangles hair without pulling too hard, which can lead to hair breakage during styling."
Do you want to get rid of sebum buildup and get your hair's natural oils flowing through your scalp? Boar bristle hairbrushes will do that for you as well, per Bustle. If you're vegan and don't like the idea of animal products, there are hairbrushes made with natural materials you can turn to instead (via Healthline). You can get the same results as from a boar bristle hairbrush.
For blow-drying fine hair, you can opt for a mix of nylon and boar bristles, although it is recommended that you avoid heat-based styling on your fine hair if possible.
How to brush fine hair
Purchasing the right kind of brush for your fine hair is half the battle. You would probably want to avoid the mistakes you're making when you're brushing as well. The first tip to keep in mind, according to hairstylist Laura Polko, is to start from the ends of your hair. "If you start at the top of your head, you create a huge knot or tangle that will make it so much harder to get out as you work your way down," she told Who What Wear. Another thing to remember when brushing fine hair is to keep the line of parting in mind when you start brushing. You wouldn't want to be brushing your hair in different directions too much so going for the middle or side part from the get-go is best.
Since your fine hair is a lot more delicate than coarse hair, exercising caution while brushing is a good rule of thumb to follow. One way you can do this is by only brushing your hair when it is dry, reports All Things Hair, as wet hair is more prone to damage.
Even though fine hair may require a little more intention and care when it comes to maintenance, it is entirely possible to have healthy-looking hair if you understand just what kind of haircare works for your particular hair type.