Comb vs Brush: Which Styling Tool is Better for Your Hair?

You already know the difference between a comb and a brush in terms of how each one works and looks, but how does each impact your hair health? Is a comb or a brush better for hair?

Well, as with many things, the answer isn’t black and white. When it comes to whether you should brush your hair with a comb or hairbrush, it turns out that both may have a place in your styling routine.

Here, we’ll break down the benefits of both combs and brushes and share any downsides you should be aware of.

As you probably know, brushes are made up of tiny bristles, usually attached to a cushion. They can be useful for certain types of hair. As for benefits of using a brush, these include:

• Brushes are quick. Because they are larger than combs, hair brushes make brushing through a large section of hair at once easier.

• Brushes massage the scalp: Gentle brushing also stimulates the scalp, which can bring blood flow and nutrients to the scalp. Some research has found that a lack of blood flow to the scalp is associated with hair loss. While special scalp massager brushes are available, you can just as easily use your typical hairbrush to gently massage your scalp.

• Brushes distribute oil. Brushes are a great way to distribute the hair’s natural oils from the scalp down to the bottom of the hair. This helps control oil at the scalp and moisturize the ends of the hair.

It’s not all rainbows and roses when it comes to hair brushes. Some of the downsides of using a hairbrush include:

• Brush bristles can break. You may not notice that one of your brush bristles has broken, leaving a jagged edge in its place. This can snag hair, leading to breakage.

• Overbrushing can damage hair. Have you ever heard that your hair needs 100 brush strokes a day? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), that’s a myth. Overbrushing can damage hair because of all the unnecessary friction and tugging.

• Brushing too much may cause hair loss. One small study (with just 14 participants) found that women who brushed less frequently had less hair loss.

• Brushes can cause frizz. Brushing may disrupt the hair’s natural curl pattern or cuticle, leading to frizz and static.

Combs are a versatile and convenient option for styling your hair. Here are some of the benefits of brushing your hair with a comb.

• Combs offer precise styling: You have more control when styling hair with a comb, making it ideal for creating clean parts, braids, or other segmented hairstyles. This also helps with evenly distributing products through the hair.

• Combs gently detangle: Wide-tooth combs are especially effective for detangling wet or fragile hair without causing excessive breakage (we’ll talk more about that later). A 2007 study found that brushes cause more hair breakage than combs.

• They’re portable: Combs are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry and convenient for on-the-go touch-ups.

• Combs don’t disrupt hair patterns as much: Combs, particularly wide-tooth ones, are gentler on curly or textured hair, helping to maintain natural curl patterns without creating frizz or static in both curly and straight hair.

Is combing your hair bad? Not if you do it gently, but there are some downsides to be aware of.

• It takes longer: Because of their smaller size, combs can take longer to work through larger sections of hair than brushes.

• Not as effective for scalp stimulation: Because they are smaller, lighter, and cover less surface area, combs don’t provide the same level of scalp massage as brushes do.

• Limited oil distribution: Combs are less effective at spreading natural oils (sebum) through the length of the hair, which may result in uneven moisture and shine.

• Can still cause breakage: If used improperly or aggressively, combs can snag and break hair, especially when working through knots or tangles.

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there — you may have heard that you shouldn’t brush or comb your hair when wet, but also that you should only brush curly hair when wet. It’s hard to know what to do, but here’s the deal.

Wet hair is more vulnerable than dry hair because water weakens the bonds that hold the hair together. Research shows that when hair absorbs water, it swells and stretches, making it more elastic and prone to breakage. In fact, the AAD advises that you should let your hair air-dry a bit before brushing.

However, a comb is generally recommended for brushing through wet or damp hair. To gently comb without snagging hair, start at the bottom, working in sections, and slowly make your way up with a wide-toothed comb. You may also want to use leave-in conditioner, which will add slip to the hair, a good move to prevent snags.

If your hair is straight and not typically knotty, you can use either a comb or a brush. Some people with straight, fine hair find that their hair gets greasy quickly, and a boar bristle brush is very effective at distributing oils while being gentle on hair (the bristles are soft and shorter than other brushes). A wide-toothed comb is typically best for combing through hair, while a fine-toothed comb is best for making parts or separating hair into sections required for braids or other hairstyles.

A wide-tooth comb with blunt edges is your best bet if your hair is straight but prone to tangles and knots. This tool is able to gently work through knots without causing snags or breaks.

If you’re brushing your curly hair when it’s dry, a comb is a better option than a brush because it won’t disrupt your curl pattern or waves as much. You’ll want to work through your curls gently and be careful not to tug too hard at any clumps or knots. A type of brush known as a “wet detangling brush” is a good option for brushing and detangling damp curly hair, as it has soft, flexible bristles.

Whether you decide to use a brush or a comb, these hair-brushing tips can help.

• Start at the ends: Detangle the ends first, then work your way up to prevent pulling and breakage.

• Be gentle: Avoid tugging or yanking to prevent hair damage.

• Don’t overdo it: Brush or comb only as needed to style or detangle.

• Detangle wet hair carefully: Use a wide-tooth comb and avoid harsh brushing to protect fragile, wet strands.

• Choose the right tool for your hair. Consult a stylist or do some research into what tools are best for your hair type. For example, a paddle brush or wide-toothed comb is better than a round brush for styling curly, thick hair, as round brushes can get stuck and break hair. A fine-toothed comb may be best for straight, thin hair.

• Clean your tools: Regularly clean brushes and combs to remove buildup, bacteria, and any debris that has accumulated on the brush.

Here’s the TLDR when it comes to whether a comb or brush is better for your hair.

• Both have their place: Hair combs and brushes serve different purposes; they might sometimes be used together to meet your styling and hair care needs.

• Choose based on your hair type: Straight, fine hair may benefit from a boar bristle brush, while curly, textured, or wavy hair often does best with a wide-tooth comb or a wet detangling brush.

• Gentle care is key: Regardless of the tool, be gentle. Start detangling from the ends, and avoid overusing either to keep your hair healthy and minimize damage.

• For more tips, check out our guides to hair care for men and how to get thick hair.