Hair Fact or Hair Fiction - Hair Stylist Jessie Moran

by Jessie Moran on 05/02/11

If you have long hair, there is a good chance you have heard differing opinions on whether or not you should brush or comb your hair to keep it healthy.  There are those hair stylists and experts that will tell you your hair should never be brushed, and to use the healthier alternative, which is to comb your long hair.  Other Hair Stylists and hair industry professionals promote the idea of brushing your hair to stimulate hair growth and keep your hair healthy.

Many hair stylists and experts have differing opinions on this, so what is the correct answer?   There may not be a right answer to this, but I am happy to lend my opinion, being a Hair Stylist and having a passion for hair.

Now to Introduce myself. My name is Jessie Moran, and I am a La Jolla based hair stylist, and my business is called "Hair By Jessie".   Over the past several years I have become the leader in the hair industry, in salon services, such as, Brazilian Blowout, Hair Extensions, Hair Coloring, Haircuts, Styling, Color Corrections, Highlights, and Lowlights.

The group that I tend to like to listen to, states that in order for hair to stay healthy, hair must be brushed a minimum of 100 strokes a day.  The brushing should in turn stimulate hair growth. 

Being a hair stylist in La Jolla, I have many clients with hair extensions and naturally long hair.  In my opinion, brushing long hair is healthy and stimulates hair growth, however, I do caution that using the wrong kind of brush, brushing your hair without detangling it first, and brushing your hair when it‘s wet can all lead to broken and or damaged hair. 

However, if you avoid the three NO-NO's above and brush properly, brushing can actually stimulate the follicles at the scalp, spreading natural oils and strengthening the actual hair, which promotes hair growth, which as a Hair Stylist, I love nothing more than to see for my clients.  

Now for my hair stylist tips regarding the different types of brushes and how many time times to brush your hair:

Thick hair- I suggest brushing 75-100 strokes a day.  With thicker hair a brush with bristles spread apart will be best, I recommend a 1/4 inch apart.    

Thin Hair- I suggest brushing 25-50 strokes a day. The goal is to try and only brush each side of the your scalp and hair only one time. I recommend a boar bristle brush for this hair type.