Does Sponging Hair Cause Hair Loss? What You Need to Know

Many men with natural hair are looking for an easy way to bring out their wave patterns and define their texture. A sponge brush is a tool that can help do just that, but is there a downside? Can a sponge brush cause hair loss or damage hair? You’re in the right place to learn more. Here, we’ll cover all things sponging hair, including how these brushes work and whether they cause hair loss.

A sponge brush is a hair styling tool that helps define curls. Also sometimes called a curl sponge or twist sponge, a sponge brush is made of foam and has two sides. The first is a flat side with small holes, and the reverse side has soft, domed bristles (not all are two-sided, but many are). Unlike more traditional brushes, sponge brushes are not used for detangling but instead for styling short, natural hair (typically type 3 and type 4 curls).

The holey side is typically used on very short hair, and the bumpier side is for longer hair or afros. Some people like to use both sides to create slightly different textures throughout, which can make for natural-looking results. Typically, the hole side creates more of a pressed look, whereas the side with the grooves gives curls a fluffier appearance.

When used in circular motion on the scalp, the holes gently grab small sections of hair and help to clump them into curls or twists. It’s often used by Black men with afros, cropped curly or coily hair, or fades with a top.

Is sponging your hair bad? If hair growth is your goal, you may have been alarmed to read somewhere (or see on TikTok) that sponging causes damage — but that’s not totally true. Sponging alone does not cause hair loss, especially if you’re gentle with the sponge and mindful of how you’re using it (we’ll cover how to use a sponge next properly). 

However, it’s possible that sponging could cause hair breakage due to the friction and pressure it puts on the hair, and breakage can look a lot like hair loss. 

Excessively rough use of the sponge could contribute to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia, which is caused by tension and friction on the roots. Traction alopecia most commonly affects Black women with a tight spiral curl pattern, though newer research shows that hair care practices (like wearing braids, tight twists, or cornrows) are more to blame than hair type itself.

Like most hair styling tools, sponge brushes have the potential to damage hair, though with some precautions, they can be used safely. Here’s how to use a sponge brush to minimize damage.

How To Properly Use a Sponge Brush

• Detangle with a hair brush, comb, or your fingers before sponging hair. This helps ensure that the sponge brush doesn’t snag or tangle.

• Use on slightly damp, moisturized hair with curl cream or leave-in conditioner for best results. Hair that is well-moisturized is less prone to breakage.

• Don’t press too hard to avoid breakage or scalp irritation.

• Limit sponging to a few times a week, max. Doing it daily can be too much friction.

• Replenish hair with oil. Sponging can sop up some natural oils on the scalp that hydrate the hair and keep it conditioned and flexible. Using a bit of hair oil after sponging can help prevent breakage.

• Replace your sponge regularly. Just like kitchen sponges, a hair sponge's porous and moist surface makes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, potentially leading to itching, fungal growth, and certain scalp conditions.
  

Can sponging your hair damage it or cause hair loss? Not if you do it properly. Here’s what to remember about sponging hair and hair loss.

• Sponge brushes define curls and twists by clumping hair into curls or twists, especially in short natural hair, and are popular among Black men with textured styles like afros or fades.
  However, improper use of sponge brushes can lead to breakage. Excessive pressure, sponging dry hair, or sponging too often can be rough on the hair, potentially causing breakage that resembles thinning.

• To prevent damage, use the sponge on detangled, moisturized hair, limit use to a few times a week, apply nourishing products like oils, and replace the sponge regularly to keep it clean.

If you’re interested in learning more about hair care for Black men, check out our guide to caring for 4C hair and one man’s personal loc journey.

And if you’re worried about hair loss, chances are that sponging is not to blame. Instead, it’s more likely that you’re noticing early signs of balding. You can set up a quick virtual consultation with a Hims-affiliated healthcare provider to learn more about your options.