Relaxed Ladies: Is combing through your hair often really harmful to retention?

[jessicarabbit]

I find it hard to make my hair look as good as i want without at least combing the bangs or brushing to smooth it out. Is combing and brushing really that bad when it comes to retention? Even with protective styling?
Thanks!

 

[jessicarabbit]

aaanyone??

 

[Lilmama1011]

Yes, it breaks off at the demarcation line

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

The short answer is yes, because any kind of frequent manipulation can derail your hair.

The long answer is it depends.
If you use the right tools, make sure that your hair is moisturized and has some kind of lubrication on it, and take your time and be gentle, you should be okay.
Out of all of this things, I'd say that being gentle and going slowly is the most important thing. You should never comb your hair when you don't have time or will to do it gently, especially if you have new growth, because that's a quick way to earn yourself breakage.

 

[LexaKing]

I only use wide tooth combs and only comb when my hair is moisturized (after I moisturize and seal). Fine tooth combs cause breakage. I dont use any fine tooth combs anymore Also I only comb my hair when I take down my wrap or re wrap my hair at night after m&s. The rest is all with the fingers.

 

[jessicarabbit]

LexaKing
thats basically what i do except i only comb it after m&sing, and while wet

 

[LexaKing]

lindsaywhat that sounds good. Just be careful not to do it excessively and always be gentle and your should be fine oh and always detangle from the ends up. HTH

 

[havilland]

yes. i say it is based on my experience. but if you have thick strong hair, then you can get away with more frequent brushing and combing than someone with fine hair.

i use a baby brush to smooth my ponytails, buns etc. and i try to comb only once a week when i am detangling in the shower on soaking wet deep conditioned hair.

you have to comb sometimes, but i try to keep it to the bare minimum needed to maintain my shedding and detangling needs.

 

[Nix08]

I'm on the no, to low comb bandwagon..I think reducing combing/brushing allows the strands to strengthen (and are more resiliant for the occasions that you do need to comb). Consequently, for my fine strands they are as healthy and my cuticles are as intact as can be.

 

[candy626]

Nothing wrong with combing in moderation. Combing is a necessary part of the grooming process and helps to remove shed hairs. I used to only finger comb very minimally but realized when I caught a glimpse of my hair in one of those wrap around mirrors that my hair didn't look so hot. Hair looks better when lightly combed through.

Just keep it down to a minimum.

 

[sunnieb]

If this were true, I'd be bald!

I comb my hair several times a day, every day.

However, I don't comb dry newgrowth, haven't used a brush on three years, and I don't use direct heat. This contributes to me being able to get away with a little bit more daily manipulation.

Sent from my Comet using LHCF

 

[StarScream35]

Back when I first started my long hair journey in the 90's, I combed my hair everyday and retained length with no problem. What I DIDN'T do is apply heat to my hair. I was also on a low wash regimen. I think I washed my hair 4 times per month.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I do comb more a little more often than I use to early on my HHJ.

When I wasn't/didn't, I had matting, tangles, loc'ing and knots due to improperly detangling and not being fully detangled.

I have been able to totally erradicate that by combing with either my Denman D-24 Double Row Detangling comb or one of my Bone Combs.

You have to get those Sheds out otherwise, they will wrap around the other strands and cause locin'g at the NG/Demarcation area especially if you are trying to Stretch. Detangling properly is a definite Must.

So, I do try to comb through at least once per day on Moisturized Hair.

ETA: I don't use direct heat.

 

[MystiqueBabe]

It is for me. I now only finger comb. Combs have caused me setbacks that I am recovering from now. I wear my hair in buns all day everyday and I don't need a comb. I don't even use a comb during washday. I have no major tangling. I normally wash once a week and cowash either 1-2x a week. No matting, locking, or nightmare tangles. I guess my hair is not one that locks up mats up something terrible.

 

[NaiyaAi]

As everyone else says, it depends. Try to only do it once at the start of your day, when you are first styling your hair. Use wide-tooth, seamless combs and boar-bristle brushes when you do, and you should be fine.

 

[Your Cheeziness]

I comb my hair everyday and brush with a boar bristle brush around the edges depending on my style and how far I am into a stretch. But, for the most part, I use a paddle brush.

I tried low manipulation and that was the debil for me. I need to remove my shed hair daily because I don't want to fight with it come wash day.

 

[JudithO]

bump.....................

 

[Supergirl]

I comb through, and it's fine as long as I do it gently. AND, the stronger your hair gets, the more manipulation it will be able to stand up to.

 

[classoohfive]

I do comb more a little more often than I use to early on my HHJ.

When I wasn't/didn't, I had matting, tangles, loc'ing and knots due to improperly detangling and not being fully detangled.

I have been able to totally erradicate that by combing with either my Denman D-24 Double Row Detangling comb or one of my Bone Combs.

You have to get those Sheds out otherwise, they will wrap around the other strands and cause locin'g at the NG/Demarcation area especially if you are trying to Stretch. Detangling properly is a definite Must.

So, I do try to comb through at least once per day on Moisturized Hair.

ETA: I don't use direct heat.

I agree with your post Also, the amount of combing and manipulation needed to get those knots and mats out will probably cause more damage than if you just made sure to comb more often (as needed).

When I was relaxed bone straight I was able to do the no comb (except for wash day) low-manip thing more often. I'm texlaxed now, but if your relaxed hair is anything like my texlaxed hair, you need to get those sheds out as often as you can, just be gentle! I learned the hard way. It's best to get them out early when you can still be gentle and it's easy instead of holding off and having to get rid of matting and tangles. If I wait I end up with a lot of breakage, some damage, and a sore scalp. If you need to comb do it only as often as you need, take your time, do small sections, and learn which hair products work with your hair to lessen the damage when combing.

 

[kinkycurlygurl]

I'm on a slightly different hair journey than many. I'm experimenting with not using most products on my hair, instead my focus is spreading my natural sebum from my scalp to the ends of my hair. I find that I have to comb and brush to get the job done. I have a smooth and seamless wide-toothed comb and a super soft goat-hair baby brush.

I try not to panic when I see hair coming out as I comb and brush. I examine the hair to be certain that it is normal shedding.

I tried finger combing only, I'll have to update my water thread, but I couldn't spread the sebum effectively doing that. So I know now that I have to comb and brush daily.

I agree with the other posters. If you are going to comb and brush, be gentle, take your time and use the right tools for your hair.

 

[Britt]

I comb my hair everyday and brush with a boar bristle brush around the edges depending on my style and how far I am into a stretch. But, for the most part, I use a paddle brush.

I tried low manipulation and that was the debil for me. I need to remove my shed hair daily because I don't want to fight with it come wash day.

I comb and brush every day all day and won't stop. I know it's not a popular opinion but I couldn't imagine not combing my hair. I use a wide tooth comb and only comb and brush when necessary. I have to remove shed hair and comb it. I use a brush too, I brush my edges and nape. If my hair is popping off while combing and I'm afraid to use a comb, that's indicative of a bigger problem outside of comb usage that I need to address. It could be terrible shedding or breakage - both of which need to be fixed. If my hair is tangled and dry and I'm having a hard time w/the comb and need to proceed with caution, that means the products I used did not agree with my hair and now it's rough to comb. If I have a lot of new growth then I will be more gentle while combing.

 

[Your Cheeziness]

I comb and brush every day all day and won't stop. I know it's not a popular opinion but I couldn't imagine not combing my hair. I use a wide tooth comb and only comb and brush when necessary. I have to remove shed hair and comb it. I use a brush too, I brush my edges and nape. If my hair is popping off while combing and I'm afraid to use a comb, that's indicative of a bigger problem outside of comb usage that I need to address. It could be terrible shedding or breakage - both of which need to be fixed. If my hair is tangled and dry and I'm having a hard time w/the comb and need to proceed with caution, that means the products I used did not agree with my hair and now it's rough to comb. If I have a lot of new growth then I will be more gentle while combing.

These are my exact thoughts, too. I like to find the balance between health and style. And if there is an issue, I get to the root cause of it. And I just loathe the feeling of shed hair on me in the shower (Bleh!), so I have to get rid of as much shed hair as possible prior to washing. It's just easier to address it daily.