To Brush or Not to Brush Wet Hair?

It takes a lot to establish a routine. It may take months or even years to get a skincare, nail care, or hair care routine that fits your everyday schedule and maintenance. But one scroll on TikTok could have you doubting something you’ve finally perfected. For many, that has been their hair routine.

Recent discussions on TikTok have challenged established hair care practices, such as not using oils and butters, not air drying your hair, and not brushing your hair when it’s wet. This whole discourse started when a TikTok user pointed out some of the viral comments she was getting about her hair videos, specifically when she was brushing her wet hair. In this video, she highlights those comments and notes that many people making these comments have straight hair, sparking a wave of discussions about the different care routines for curly and straight hair.

Should You Brush Your Hair When Wet?

The best time to brush your hair is completely dependent on your hair texture. For those with straight hair, experts recommend waiting until the hair is dry to do any brushing. Brushing wet straight hair can lead to breakage, split ends, and increased vulnerability to hair loss. When straight hair is wet, some of the bonds that keep it together break, making it weaker than usual.

“In general, wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage than dry hair,” says Timothy Schmidt , MD, a dermatologist at University of Utah Health. “The water weakens the hair’s protein structure, making it more elastic and easier to stretch and snap. This is why you may have noticed more hair in your brush or on your pillow after sleeping with wet hair.”

For those with curly hair, the best time to brush or detangle is with conditioner in or after rinsing out the conditioner. Depending on your hair porosity, most curly hair types benefit from water, which helps with detangling and evenly spreading product. If you are prone to knots and hard-to-remove tangles, using a wet brush in the shower is the best time to brush your hair.

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