Are there really benefits of brushing your hair daily? You better believe it. For you natural hair care enthusiasts, these benefits are pretty exciting. I mean, talk about a non-toxic approach to getting beautiful hair. Yes, please!
But the benefits of hair brushing will only come with the right tools. Most commercial hair brushes can actually be quite damaging to your hair. Brushing with synthetic bristles causes friction on hair, leading to cuticle damage and breakage, which makes hair lusterless and frizzy. Nobody wants that. More on this in a bit.
Proper hair brushing and scalp massaging are two of the most important elements in the maintenance and rejuvenation of healthy, naturally beautiful hair. The only other elements that are more beneficial to hair brushing is a nourishing diet and avoiding toxic chemicals. (But you natural hair gurus already know that, right? Duh.)
Benefits of Brushing Your Hair
Brushing Your Hair with a Boar Bristle Brush is Cleansing
Did you know that brushing your hair is a form of dry shampooing! Proper brushing can eliminate waste materials, including deposits of uric acid crystals, catarrh and other acids and impurities that build up and become encrusted on the scalp. (I know, that sentence is totally gross.) With so much talk about the benefits of ditching toxic shampoos, implementing proper hair brushing can help keep your hair hygiene in check. And it’s easy.
Brushing Conditions and Strengthens Your Hair
Yep, the benefits of hair brushing go beyond simply cleaning your hair, it also conditions. (Talk about a two in one shampoo/conditioner!) Scalp stimulation from both hair brushing and scalp massaging help distribute your natural sebum evenly through the hair. This helps your overall hair health and keeps those shiny locks resilient and strong. In addition, as your hair is coated with sebum you’ll find moisture is restored, and the hair is generally more sheen, smooth, and manageable.
Brushing your Hair Helps Prevent Hair Loss
This benefit of hair brushing was surprising to me. I have to admit, hair loss hasn’t been an issue for me (I tend to have more hair than I know what to do with!) But hair brushing with a boar bristle brush stimulates the capillaries, increasing blood circulation in the scalp and transporting oxygen and nutrients to the hair stem, root and bulb. It also helps to balance the sebaceous glands by stimulating them and allowing them to breath while retaining natural oils. Sebaceous gland imbalance is often to blame for hair loss, as overproduction and underproduction of sebum cause weakening and undernourishment of the scalp.
How to Brush Your Hair for Full Benefits
1. Get the right tools.
Only brush your hair with a natural bristle brush. Most similar to human hair, boar bristles (where to buy) strengthen and add natural shine to your hair.
2. Get your brush on.
Stand straight and then bend over from the waist as far as you can. This gets the blood flowing to your noggin’ which helps in the whole process. Brush through the areas of the nap, sides, and crown of the head, moving all the way to your frontal facial hairline. Brush slowly, with easy strokes, for 3 – 5 minutes. Stand up slowly, and repeat the process standing upright.
3. Brushing vs. Detangling.
The benefits of hair brushing are numerous, but it’s important to make the distinction between hair brushing and detangling. You should also detangle your hair before brushing. Use a wide tooth comb. Do not use your boar bristle brush to try and detangle.
4. When to brush
For the biggest bang for your buck, and to really reap the benefits of hair brushing, it’s recommended that you brush 3 times a day: Morning, late afternoon, and before bed. If you’re like me you’re probably thinking; Yeah, right. ‘Aint nobody got time for that. I generally brush once, maybe twice a day (if I remember), and I’ve still seen improvement in my scalp and hair. In fact, as mentioned in this post about my favorite natural shampoo, I believe hair brushing and scalp massaging were HUGE contributors to finally getting rid of my kid’s pesky and lingering cradle cap. (After trying everything natural, using Morrocco Method shampoo and hair brushing got rid of their scalp issues in about two weeks. Awesome.)
5. Don’t forget the scalp massage!
When I bought the starter kit from Morrocco Method I was happy to see it included this natural rubber scalp massager. It is AWESOME. Seriously, my whole family loves using it. It feels great. It also helps stimulate sebaceous glands and promotes circulation in the scalp. Unlike metal massagers that can scratch and irritate your skin, this natural rubber massager is gentle enough not to damage your sensitive skin or pull out your hair, but it is firm enough to give you a really nice massage. (I use it whenever I get a headache. Seriously, I love it.)
Remember, to reap the benefits of hair brushing, use the right tools.
I can’t say this enough. Investing in the proper tools for hair health will save you in costly (and usually chemically-filled) hair treatments. I personally recommend Morrocco Method as their products are not only the most natural and hair friendly, but their quality brushes feature humanely harvested European boar bristles. That makes this green girl happy.
Special Coupon:
Morrocco Method is giving you 15% off your entire purchase when you use the coupon code TYB15. No better time to try them out than right now. Hurry before it expires.
Click here to visit their shop.
Need more? Check out these awesome videos from Morrocco Method on the how to’s and benefits of hair brushing:
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