Can I Brush My Hair When Wet?

After a shower, most of us get out, dry off, and immediately start brushing our wet hair. We don’t second guess our actions because it’s something we’ve done for most of our lives. 

You may have heard on the internet or through a friend that brushing wet hair is the worst thing you can do to your hair. Is it true? The answer to the million-dollar question is…it depends. This article will fill you in on whether you should brush your hair wet based on your hair texture.  

Straight or Wavy Hair: Brush it When It’s Dry

If you have straight or wavy hair, you should always brush your hair when it’s dry. Brushing knots out of your wet hair can lead to significant damage and breakage. In addition, when your hair is wet, it becomes very porous, making it more sensitive and easier to damage. 

Dry your hair or wait for it to air dry before brushing it. If you’re worried about your tangles getting worse after wetting them, brush your dry hair before getting into the shower. This will reduce the risk of matting.

How to Brush Dry Hair

When you’re brushing your dry straight or wavy hair, make sure you take your time. The best way to brush dry hair is by parting it into small sections and brushing from the ends to the roots. Brushing your hair from roots to ends encourages breakage and split ends. If your hair is very tangled, you can add some oil or detangler to your hair to make it more pliable and easier to detangle. 

Curly Hair: Brush it When It’s Wet

If your hair is curly, you should never brush it when it’s dry. Curls intertwine with each other very easily, and if they are dry while you’re brushing them, you can rip right through your strands. Wet curly hair that’s coated in a detangler, leave-in conditioner, or regular conditioner can be easily detangled with minimal damage. 

How to Brush Wet Hair

Since you’ll be brushing your curly hair wet, you’ll need to follow very specific instructions. Apply a slippery detangler, conditioner, or leave-in and use a detangling brush or Denman brush to detangle your hair. Start at the tips of your hair and use small strokes to gently remove tangles. Use your fingers to loosen up knots. Divide your hair into sections to make the detangling process easier. 

Twist up each section after you’ve detangled it. This will keep the sections from getting tangled again in minutes. 

Let’s sum things up! You can brush your hair wet, but it’s best not to do so unless you have curly hair. If you absolutely must brush your straight or wavy hair wet, ensure that it’s coated in slippery hair products to minimize damage. Whether your hair is wet or dry, you should take your time and be gentle with your hair. We hope that this article is helpful to you, bringing you one step closer to healthy hair, no matter your hair type! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.