subject: Choosing the Right Hair Brush [print this page] From the beginning of recorded history, humans have tried to avoid bad hair days by using hairbrushes. What wild mops we used to have! People needed a tool to smooth out tangles, remove pests and create the fantastic hair styles of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans which today we see in statues and tomb paintings. In those days the hairbrush took many forms, from a bone or shell pick, to porcupine quills and other animal hair. Even Vikings, famous for shaggy hair and beards, used combs to care for their hair.
In ancient times only kings, queens, nobles and rich people used such instruments, but today it is not only the rich and famous who care for their hair. Modern hairbrushes needed to be inexpensive and plentiful, so manufacturers found materials other than bone and shell including plastic and nylon.
Synthetic Hairbrushes
Hairbrushes made with nylon, or other synthetic bristles, tend to create a lot of static electricity in the hair which is not good for very fine hair. They also can tear the hair, causing more ragged ends. Wire is another kind of modern hairbrush. It works well with thick hair but may be too rough for fine hair. Natural bristles, which are more costly, are still considered the best for maintaining healthy hair. They create less static and don't tear the hair. Today, hairbrushes are used for much more than smoothing tangles. Different hair types, as well as different hair styles, need different types of hairbrushes.
Paddle Brush
The paddle brush is best for long straight hair that needs to be smoothed. It is flat and wide and should only be used on hair that is all one length. It will not add volume and will be very frustrating for a person with layered hair. This hair brush will give a scalp massage. A cushion-style brush will also give a scalp massage and is best for straight hair that is medium length, such as a bob or bi-level cut where the sides are longer than the back.
Sculpting Brush
A sculpting brush is good for backcombing hair and will add volume to short styles, especially those with rounded layers and textured outlines.
Thermal Brushes
A thermal round brush comes in several sizes, and is the right brush to use with a blow dryer. The small size works like rollers to curl the hair, and the large size will smooth and straighten curly hair. These thermal hair brushes have a metal core that gets hot from the dryer and shapes the hair from the inside out.
A thermal flat brush also has a metal core and straightens the hair when used with a blow dryer. It has vents to make the drying time faster.
Oily Hair
Brushing the hair has the affect of distributing the natural oil on the scalp to the ends of the hair. In the days when long hair was the only style for a woman, it was considered good to give the hair 100 brush strokes every day. This may be a good solution for very dry hair, but it is not good for oily hair. The oil glands are already over-active and do not need stimulating from brushing. Hair that is too oily tends to fall out.
