We have been brushing our hair daily since childhood, yet many of us do it in a way that damages hair more than it maintains it. Rough tugging, brushing soaking-wet hair, the wrong tool — small details that add up to entirely avoidable breakage. Time to relearn this everyday art from the beginning.
Start at the Ends, Never the Roots
The first golden rule: detangle the ends first, then work your way up towards the roots. When you start at the top, you push every knot downwards until they gather into one stubborn mass — and harsh pulling becomes inevitable. Starting at the bottom releases tangles one by one, with minimal damage.
Wet Hair Deserves Special Care
Hair loses much of its strength when wet, which makes vigorous brushing straight out of the shower one of the most damaging habits there is. If you need to detangle after washing:
- Reach for a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush.
- Apply conditioner or a few drops of natural oil to help the comb glide.
- Work in small sections, patiently.
Choosing the Right Tool
A wide-tooth wooden comb
The gentlest option for wet or curly hair, and unlike plastic it does not generate static.
A natural-bristle brush
Excellent on dry hair: it distributes scalp oils down the length of the strand, adding natural shine.
A detangling brush
Its flexible bristles bend when they meet a knot instead of snapping the hair.
How Often Should You Brush?
The old myth of one hundred strokes a day belongs to another era — over-brushing is simply unnecessary friction. Once or twice a day is enough for most hair types to distribute oils and prevent tangles. Curly hair may only need detangling in the shower with conditioner.
Natural Oils: Brushing's Best Friend
In Morocco, women have long smoothed a few drops of argan oil through their hair before combing — a traditional habit that makes perfect sense. The oil coats the fibre and reduces friction, so the comb glides through instead of catching, and breakage drops noticeably. Oil also tames frizz and leaves a healthy sheen. Two or three drops on the lengths and ends are plenty; skip the roots if your hair gets oily quickly.
Small Habits, Big Difference
- Clean your brush and comb weekly, removing shed hair and product residue.
- Never brush in a rush — hurry is the mother of rough handling.
- Replace your brush once the bristles wear down or break.
Gentle brushing is a simple daily habit, yet it is one of the pillars of healthy hair. If you would like pure natural oils to make every brushstroke smoother, Assil Ouargane is a Moroccan manufacturer of argan oil and natural hair-care products, offering private-label manufacturing for brands. Request a quote through our website.