Hair Brushing benefits and method

Benefits of using hair brush

Massaging the scalp.

Cleaning the hair shaft, follicle, and removing any dirt on the scalp.

Stimulating the release of sebum which coats and protects the hair shaft while moisturizing and imparting a healthy sheen to your hair.

Uses of hair brushes

Daily brushing to stimulate blood circulation under the scalp and distribute the natural sebum from the scalp throughout hair length for shiny, healthy tresses.

Detangling.

With electric blow-dryer to straighten and defrizz, or to create curls and volume

Styling.

Types of hair brushes

Variety of brushes are found on the market, each designed with a specific purpose.

Paddle hair brush

· They are usually large, flat, oval or rectangular and offer wide coverage.

· The best for people who have longer hair, as they cover a lot of surface area at once.

· They are great for everyday dry hair brushing and are typically used for smooth, straight styles.

· They do not add volume to hair.

· Brushing the hair with paddle brush also gives a slight scalp massage.

Cushion Brushes

· The cushion releases the excess air through the small vent hole if too much pressure is applied, thereby allowing the hair to slide through without grabbing or tearing.

· Cushioned hair brushes tend to prevent breakage and damage.

· Suitable for medium-long to long hair as the longer the hair is more susceptible it is to breaking.

Sculpting Brushes

· Best suited for backcombing and it adds volume to short and textured styles.

· Great for holding hair in place while using electric dryer or apply styling products.

Round Brushes

· Used for styling and curling hair while using the electric blow dryer.

· They can add curve and volume to straight hair and also are also straighten wavy or curly hair.

· They are available in different sizes and the length of hair decides which type of brush to be used so that it can give a different style to the hair:

Small to medium round brushes are good for shorter hair, and suitable for making tight curls or adding volume to the hair.

Big round brushes are best for medium-length to long hair and suitable for smooth and flat haircuts or for making wide curls.

Vented Round Brush

With holes in the brush base. These holes are designed to :

allow the hot air from the hairdryer to pass through the brush rather than concentrating on the brush base. This design prevents the hair from unnecessary heat damage during styling while blow-drying.

create a smoothing effect on the hair, because it blows the hot air past the hair in a single, constant direction.

· It is more preferred than the non vented because the non vented solid barrel hairbrush can disturb the cuticle of the hair shaft, and create a frizzy effect.

They are available in different sizes and the length of hair decides which type of brush to be used.

Thermal Brushes

Are especially designed for use with an electric hair dryer.

The barrel of a thermal hairbrush is made out of aluminum or ceramic to hold heat better than one made from plastic or wood. The barrel of the brush takes on heat, and speeds the drying process.

They come in smaller diameters than your normal round brush.

They can be flat or round:

Thermal Flat Brush stretches out the hair and can help create a flat, smooth look.

Thermal Round Brush is the same as the normal round brush but its barrel is covered with metal or ceramic plate.

Types of bristles

Hairbrushes bristles can be made of several materials.

Bristles can be stiff or flexible, natural or synthetic.

In general, stiff bristle brushes are not recommended for hairstyling, since they tend to increase hair breakage.

Stiffer bristles are recommended for thicker, heavier hair, but may be used by all hair types.

Types of hairbrushes bristles are:

Animal Bristles: They are natural, soft, flexible bristles that gently brush the hair .

Synthetic Bristles: Made of plastic, nylon, rubber, or similar materials. Can be soft and flexible or stiff and firm.

Blends or Tufted Brushes: Contain a mixture of animal and synthetic bristles.

Wooden Bristles: Provide excellent penetration through the hair and

don't generate static electricity.

Wire or Metal Bristles: more stiff and stronger than natural or nylon.

Tips of Bristles

Pointed tips bristles

Pointed tips of bristles can tear and damage the hair shafts and may hurt the scalp.

Ball tipped bristles

In order to reduce the chances of hair breakage, newer flexible bristle brushes with ball tips have been developed.

Bristles are ball tipped to ensure hair is not damaged while being brushed.

If even one ball is missing, the brush needs to be replaced to avoid hair damage.

Some brushes have moulded balled tips and not glued.

General considerations while choosing a brush

· Controlling the hair depends on how closely the bristles are placed and how flexible the material. As a rule, the stiffer and more closely spaced the bristle, the more control you have over the hair.

· Brushes of flexible bristles are better than stiff bristles.

· Bristles which are rounded or ball tipped are better than those without balled or rounded tips.

· Bristles with molded balled tips are better than those with glued tips.

· For blow dryer users, vented hair brushes are more safe than non-vented thermal brushes.

· Cushioned and Paddle brushes are suitable for daily hair care and detangling.

· Large rounded brushes are suitable for smooth and flat haircuts while small rounded brushes are suitable for making tight curls or adding volume to the hair.

· Blends or Tufted Brushes are excellent for controlling fine hair, as well as for thoroughly brushing thick hair right down to the scalp.

· Wooden Bristles provide excellent penetration through the hair so have a massaging effect on the scalp which stimulates the blood circulation, nourish the hair follicle and encourage faster growth and healthier hair.

· Wooden Bristles don't generate static electricity.

· Wooden Bristles are recommended for people with long, thick hair.

· Wire or Metal Bristles are perfect for thick, coarse or curly hair.