There is no denying the joy, exuberance, and beauty of having curly hair. To maintain the curls and embrace your own style, you must be aware of some dos and don’ts.
If you have curly hair, you are already aware of how difficult it can be to maintain, I get it.
Contrary to hair varieties that are straight or wavy, curly hair frequently has special issues of its own, such as a higher risk of breakage, frizz, and dryness.
Combing curly hair can potentially cause damage or frizz, especially if done incorrectly. Curly hair tends to be more fragile and prone to breakage than straight hair, so it’s important to be gentle when combing or brushing it.
It’s also a good idea to avoid combing curly hair too frequently, as this can cause unnecessary stress on the hair. Instead, try using a leave-in conditioner or styling product that can help define and enhance your curls, and use a comb or brush sparingly.
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Should you comb your hair when it’s wet or dry?
I would suggest that a better idea is to comb curly hair while the curls are still moist. In addition to being considerably healthier for the quality of the curls, it also makes it easier on your arms. You won’t have to be concerned about the curls frizzing.
Everyone who has attempted to comb dry curls on their hair understands the undefined, frizzy appearance that invariably results. But when kinky hair is damp, that isn’t the case.
On the other hand, I have seen combing wet hair will actually enhance definition, boosting the curl’s integrity and making detangling time much easier.
Second, combing curly hair while it is dry might actually damage the hair because of the stress, ruining the pattern. While detangling 4C hair, this is especially important to keep in mind for tighter textures.
Fortunately, I have come across tools like a detangling brush designed exclusively for 4C hair, making brushing even simpler.
The issue of tangled hair is another. In fact, adding moisture and hydration can help untangle and smooth snarled hair, reducing the possibility of coil fragments falling out while combing your hair.
See also: Is Trimming Curly Hair Good?
Which is better for curly hair, combing or brushing?
What I have mostly seen is a powerful, wide-tooth comb that is best used before brushing long or thick curly hair in order to remove as many knots and snarls as you can.
But make sure you do it properly and do not end up messing your curls even more.
A comb is always your first line of defence since brushes for curly hair have closer-set bristles than combs.
Why should you not brush dry hair?
Brushing dry hair can be damaging because when hair is dry, it’s more prone to breakage and split ends. Dry hair lacks the moisture and natural oils that help to protect the hair shaft, and brushing it vigorously can cause the cuticles to lift and fray, leading to more breakage.
Additionally, when you brush dry hair, it can create static, which further contributes to frizz and breakage. The bristles of a brush can also cause tension and stress on the hair, particularly if the brush has sharp or pointed bristles.
If you must brush dry hair, I would recommend you use a soft-bristled brush or a wide-toothed comb to gently work out tangles and knots, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots.
But ideally, if you have rough and frizzy hair, it’s best to avoid brushing dry hair altogether and instead, focus on using a leave-in conditioner or other styling products to help keep your hair moisturized and tangle-free.
Proper way to comb your curly hair
In order to correctly comb your curls without excessive snagging or frizzing up your hair, there are a few measures you can do. Combing your curls is an essential component of how to take care of curly hair. Here’s how to comb and untangle curly hair:
1. Add moisture
Moisturization is good for your skin and it is good for your hair health too. If your curly hair is damp, moist, or has a layer of slip between the strands and the comb, you need to comb it then. Dry hair is a recipe for frizz and will become loose and out of shape if you comb it.
Use your preferred curly hair products if, following a wash, your hair needs more moisture. As you begin combing your hair, add a leave-in conditioner or a moisturising cream to keep hair moisturised.
2. Untangle properly
Curls can be smoothed and separated using a brush in a way that really gives each coil greater definition. This is the main advantage of using a brush on curls. I usually apply a generous amount of detangler to the hair to ensure that it is knot-free before doing this.
The more slip the detangler has, the easier it will be for the brush to slide through the hair.
3. Start at the bottom and move up
What I have mostly seen is if a comb is catching your curls when you’re detangling or styling them, start at the tips and work your way up to the roots. By doing this, you can lessen the amount of straining and subsequent hair loss that may result from pulling hair strands at the follicles.
4. Comb your hair uniformly
You know there was a time when my curls were quite different from one another. It took me a lot of time to figure out the reason why.
It was happening because I was combing the same spot too frequently. This can eventually cause some of your hair to lose its memory for its curls, resulting in some curls having tighter spirals and others having looser ones.
5. Don’t forget to work on those baby curls
Curls should never be combed or brushed when dry, as we’ve already discussed. Make sure you have a hydrating edge gel sandwiched between your hair and the brush before working on your edges.
You might want to use a different kind of curly hair brush for this stage, choosing a smaller comb or brush to slick your edges and baby hair.
Tips for combing curly hair
The next time you pick up your brush, keep these things in mind.
1. Take small steps
Always work in portions, especially while brushing, no matter what your styling objectives are or where you are in the wash day process. More control and less pulling on various hairstyles is super beneficial.
A brush with larger bristles may perform better on curls that are more tightly curled, while one with denser bristles makes it much easier to separate looser curls.
2. Use hair oil
Maintaining moisture in hair while brushing it is one of, if not the, most crucial suggestions. Before and while styling, slicking it with a hair oil or serum will keep the individual strands pliable and stop them from drying out.
3. Apply hairspray all over
Don’t undervalue the value of hairspray. And I swear by it too.
To prevent static and manage flyaways, use it directly on your brush rather than your hair.
4. Avoid moving too slowly
While speeding through the process of brushing your hair is not a good idea, you also don’t want to pick up your hair brush too slowly. After using your products, you should immediately brush through your spirals.
To conclude
I would genuinely advise you to follow this- Less is more. Brush curly hair less often to preserve it.
In some circumstances, combing your hair every day can be risky. Avoid combing your hair too frequently if it’s tight since it might produce friction and harm the texture.
For healthy hair, brush it once every week. Brushing your hair three times a day, at breakfast, lunch, and bedtime, may be helpful if you have long hair.
