Which comb is best for hair?

A comb is a personal hygiene item, a hair care tool and a device for creating hairstyles. There are many functions, and therefore it makes sense to figure out which brushes will be able to fully cope with the tasks assigned to them.

Which hair comb do you prefer?

There is no definite answer to this question, since each brush has its own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the option that best suits your requirements, you should consider:

• natural hair color (light hair is softer and more manageable, dark hair has a stronger structure);
• seasonality (In winter, due to low temperatures, wind and constant wearing of hats, hair is prone to electrification, so you need to choose a comb with an antistatic effect);
• method of application (a miniature folding brush is suitable for constant carrying with you, but it is useless for thorough combing, creating a complex hairstyle or combing);
• health status (you need to take into account the presence of an allergic reaction to materials, as well as the root cause of brittleness, dandruff or hair loss);
• thickness, length of hair (tools with bristles do not cope well with very thick ones, but the use of models with fine teeth is also not recommended);
• the condition of the roots and ends of the curls (the bristles are famous for their gentle handling of split hair).

Important! You shouldn’t buy a comb just because of a beautiful picture in an online store. A brush that is carefully inspected before purchasing will serve well.

Choice by appearance

Examples and signs of bad accessories:

• sloppy and uneven heads of the massage brush;
• split, uneven or pointed teeth;
• peeling coating or material;
• presence of chips or scratches on the surface.

Comb-brush

A massage brush is a good choice for curly hair. Then they turn to her, when they want to improve blood microcirculation in the cells of the scalp and make hair thicker. However, such a tool is not an assistant when creating a number of hairstyles. It separates strands poorly and often misses small joins. It cannot be used to create a backcomb, and it is also impossible to achieve the perfect smoothness of a high ponytail or bun.

When choosing a specific massage brush make sure that all pommels are securely attached to the tines, and the tines themselves are securely attached to the butt. It is also worth considering the material. Metal teeth harm the skin, and plastic teeth bend over time and stop combing. It is better to stay with a wooden model.

Classic, comb

A fine-tooth comb provides ideal combing and is suitable for creating hairstyles of different lengths, but its use is not always advisable. For example, You should not use it for tangled, wet or curly hair.. In these cases, it is better to use a comb whose teeth are not too close to each other.

Important! Combing with a sparse plastic comb makes your hair electrified. The severity of the phenomenon depends on the condition of the curls. The drier they are and the more damaged the tips are, the more harm the use of a plastic comb will cause.

When choosing a comb, you need to consider the storage location. A small wooden, metal, silicone or plastic accessory can easily fit into a bag; fortunately, the arrangement of the teeth and the thickness of the backing make it suitable for placement in very limited space. However You should not carry a traditionally shaped bone comb with you.. Such products are usually relatively expensive, and therefore they need to be protected and protected.

Important! When purchasing, pay attention not only to the frequency of the teeth, but also to their length. Comfortable combing with long hair will be ensured by long teeth.

If you need a comb that you can carry with you everywhere, and bone is the preferred material, then It’s worth taking a closer look at the combs set in a case. They look like powder compacts. Their only drawback: it is very difficult to find a combined model - this is the name of a comb that has frequent teeth on one side and sparse teeth on the other. This option is very convenient when you have bangs or the hairstyle is asymmetrical in length.

Brushing

A round brush with tufts of bristles - artificial, natural or mixed. Designed not so much for combing strands as for styling. The result largely depends on the diameter of the tool. 20 mm is an option for short hair, 40 mm for medium hair, 53 mm for long hair.

Double sided

Flat, wide, but short, making it easy to hide in a pocket or purse. The teeth are often combined - on the one hand more frequent, on the other - sparser. Suitable for straightening hair, combing bangs and hair, untangling matted strands.

Selection by material

The material is no less important than the type of brush. The average service life of the accessory, the level of safety of the skin and strands, the presence of an electrostatic effect, as well as the possibility of daily use and the choice of a suitable storage location depend on it. In the ranking of the most popular, the best are combs made from natural materials.

Wooden

Advantages of the material:

• treats hair with care (even when wet);
• durable, does not bend;
• the teeth are securely attached to the head (for solid brushes);
• does not electrify;
• does not react with care products.

Among the disadvantages is the ability to accumulate particles of chemicals and dirt (the property is less pronounced in varnished products, but any varnish wears off with use). To wash away dirt deposits and neutralize the comb, you have to resort to water or disinfectants. Due to contact with them, the wood deteriorates and delaminates, which in turn can lead to even more active contamination of the accessory.

Theoretically, a wooden comb does not need to be washed, but this contradicts the fundamental principles of caring for hair tools.. Violating them, at best, will lead to the need to wash your hair more often, and at worst, to the appearance of dandruff. Replacing a wooden comb with a new one will cost much less than dealing with the consequences of using an old and worn one.

Important! A wooden comb heavily impregnated with varnish can frizz and electrify.

If you don’t want to often buy a new tool for caring for your curls, then pay attention to options made from hardwood. For example, from coniferous trees. They will last several weeks longer than softwood products.

Metal

They are very durable, easy to set direction, remove static electricity and perfectly separate strands, but improper handling can damage the integrity of the scalp. Even the rounded shape of the teeth does not save you from this. It’s better not to buy pointed ones at all.. Their scope of application is limited to combing for certain scalp diseases.

Important! A very fine metal comb is not so much a hair care tool as a medical device. It is prescribed for pediculosis.

Metal combs, both frequent and infrequent, are not suitable for everyday use.. They are often used in special cases. For example, when you need to quickly do a backcomb. The effect of using the accessory in such a situation exceeds all expectations, but the euphoria passes as soon as the time comes to get rid of the styling. And all because a metal comb is too rough on your hair, so you have to restore it with a mask.

Plastic

Plastic ones are affordable, easy to care for, and can be subjected to any type of cleaning, but when carefully combed, they create an electrical charge. This unpleasant phenomenon can be avoided when handling a comb, which, although made of plastic, is coated on top with an antistatic compound.

Second significant drawback: not every comb of this type can be used simultaneously with a hairdryer. Cheap plastic releases toxins when heated, but many hair tool manufacturers know how to minimize the harm. Just buy plastic hair care products in specialized stores.

Important! Make sure the teeth are intact. If the plastic begins to peel off, the product becomes unusable. If you lose sight of this nuance, you will end up with split ends.

Silicone

They are actually made from a mixture of plastic and silicone. The second material eliminates all the disadvantages of the first, while the advantages do not disappear anywhere. The result is an easily cleanable, affordable brush that is not afraid of any liquids or coloring compounds and has an antistatic effect. Ideal solution for complex hairstyles and long-term use.

Ebony

Made from vulcanized rubber, which is known for its antistatic properties. The material is chemically neutral, due to which combs made from it do not absorb, do not change color and do not react with caring and coloring compounds.

Important! An ebonite comb is compatible with a hair dryer; professional hairdressers often resort to it, but modern manufacturers practically do not produce such hair tools. These can be found in some professional stylist stores.

Carbon

The brush is made of carbon, which is coated with ceramic coating on top. The composition does not react to high temperatures and humidity, thanks to this combs can be used:

• on wet hair;
• along with a hairdryer;
• along with a curling iron.

Carbon fiber and ceramics do not react with dyes, so they are indispensable during painting. Moreover, because they are easy to care for and safe to wash, they are often used by hairdressers.

Important! Carbon is also attractive for the reason that all types of comb models are produced from it, from fine combs to massage brushes.

Ceramic

The material does not react to hot air flows. This property allows the use of ceramic devices during styling.

Important! Ceramic models protect against overdrying. An ideal option for those who use a hairdryer every day.

With natural bristles

The right choice for split ends and dry curls. Also suitable for preventing splitting. Other advantages:

• massages the skin;
• handles damaged strands carefully;
• promotes even distribution of sebum.

The latter quality is both a plus and a minus. Burnt and damaged hair begins to look better from this property, but hair that quickly becomes dirty and greasy at the roots becomes even more unkempt.

Innovative comb devices

Devices that, although they look like a comb, are powered by batteries or a battery. They weigh more than regular brushes, but are valued because of their pronounced therapeutic effect or because they make it easier to create a hairstyle.

Hair straightening

They combine the features of an iron and a comb, allowing you to quickly - literally in 5-10 minutes - style and straighten unruly strands. They often come with ceramic coating, which prevents splitting ends and drying out the hair.

Important! If the strands are already significantly damaged by the time you purchase the device, then you need to choose a device that can operate at 150–180°.

Laser

Improves microcirculation in skin cells, awakens dormant hair follicles and helps restore the structure of curls. A positive effect is observed only with proper handling of the device. Before purchasing, it is advisable to visit a doctor and determine the real cause of your hair condition.. This is necessary, if only because the laser comb has contraindications. It should not be used by children and adolescents under 12 years of age, as well as by people diagnosed with certain blood, central nervous system and skin diseases.

Ionizing

Equipped with a heating element that evenly affects the hair. Effect of use:

• the static charge that occurs due to wearing hats is eliminated;
• hair becomes straighter and more manageable (polishing occurs);
• accumulated unpleasant odors are eliminated;
• the problem of greasy roots is partially or completely solved;
• You can combine care with drying.

The device is theoretically suitable for daily use, but not in case of severely damaged hair. Also, do not use an ionic comb immediately after washing your hair. You need to wait until the strands dry a little.

Thermobrushing

A round brush with holes on the body. Hot air is supplied through them. The second distinctive feature: the ability to change the comb attachment. Many models can be equipped with a rotating nozzle. Advantages of the comb:

• helps combine styling and drying;
• treats hair with care;
• suitable for creating root volume and curls of various shapes;
• can be used daily;
• There are models for different hair types.

These advantages are primarily inherent in brushes with a ceramic coating; in plastic and metal models, the positive properties are less pronounced, and daily use is excluded.

Important! When choosing a thermal brush, consider the bristles. Long strands require long and voluminous bristles, thin and sparse hair requires combined teeth (natural and artificial bristles go together). The bangs are often styled using small-diameter bristles.

Infrared

Massages the skin, stimulates hair growth, accelerates blood circulation due to infrared radiation. The lamp is located in the middle or on the sides of the comb. There are teeth or bristles around it.

Criteria for choosing the “right” comb

If the choice fell on a “smart” brush, then stop and think about why you are buying it. There is no point in purchasing an innovative device due to hair loss or dandruff without visiting a doctor. The problem may be a symptom of a disease, including a systemic or genetic one. In this case, no device, no matter how wonderful it may be, will help significantly. There will be progress for the better, but for drastic changes you will need to undergo complex treatment.

Also when selecting a device you need to weigh it in your hand. This is necessary in order to understand whether you can perform the necessary manipulations with the strands using such a comb. Heavy weight or lack of balance between the handle and the combing part will not allow you to work on your hair for a long time.

When choosing a regular brush, make sure that the teeth are rounded, not split, not peeling, and are securely attached to the head. The latter, in turn, should not be too flexible.Well, don’t forget to pay attention to the frequency and length of the teeth. For round tools, the key parameter is the diameter.

Other useful notes:

• For hair with split ends, use combs with natural bristles;
• for brittle and dull ones, look for a wooden brush (do not forget to take care of it and promptly change it to a new one);
• curly locks require teeth, not stubble;
• for a short asymmetrical hairstyle, a comb with combined teeth is suitable (it will also be a salvation for those who have long strands but have bangs);
• the bristles must be checked (when heated, natural bristles begin to smell burnt, while artificial bristles emit a specific chemical odor);
• To make sure the tips of the teeth or bristles are safe, run the brush along the inside of your palm or wrist (there should be no scratches).

You also need to take age into account. Infants and preschoolers should purchase specialized products that are created taking into account the physiological characteristics of babies. A suitable option can be found at the pharmacy.