As much as I loved the result of my first and only roller set on my hair journey, my hair doesn’t like combs so I won’t be making a habit of this style.
I used to believe that being able to “glide” a comb through your hair with minimal breakage was a sign of healthy hair.
WHAT I USED TO BELIEVE & WHY
I thought that if hair had been thoroughly finger detangled and an appropriate sized comb was being used, the comb should simply slide through the hair without difficulty. I think I formed this opinion because over the years I have seen many YouTube healthy hair gurus (both natural and relaxed) comb or brush through their hair with ease.
Through my own hair journey, the only way I can comb my hair is if I do it in small sections after detangling.
Even after finger detangling, I cannot slide the comb through the length of my hair, I have to comb gently in small strokes. If I attempt to comb my hair any other way it leads to breakage. Although I consider my hair to be healthy, I always felt that if my hair was healthier (i.e not texlaxed or relaxed) that perhaps I would be able to slide a denman brush through it after finger detangling.
WHAT I NOW REALISE
However at the recent Naija Hair Can Grow Event, one of the speakers, who had really gorgeous, well cared for and healthy natural hair, noted that she hadn’t used a comb in years. She explained that she experienced a lot of breakage whenever she tried to comb her hair so stopped using them altogether. This made me realise that some of us have hair that just isn’t compatible with combing and that I was wrong to think my issues with combing meant my hair had some sort of defect.
On the flip side, I have also come across ladies who experience matting and tangling when they finger detangle and have to comb their hair every other day to prevent matting.
The moral of this blog post is that when it comes to combing or finger detangling, neither should be seen as a test of healthy hair (especially if you follow a healthy hair regimen and take care of your hair).
When I comb in sections on wash days, I don’t lose much hair so I am happy to carry on combing my hair once a week.
What works for your hair, combing, finger detangling or a combination of both? Have you learnt something new about your hair recently?
Over the years I have learnt to style my hair without combing. The styles above were created on hair that had not been combed for days.
My next blog post will be a new series called How To Buy Hair Products.
I decided to start this series because whenever I am buying hair products, either in Lagos or London I always notice one thing……….a confused lady staring at all the products and not knowing what exactly to buy.
I usually try to help and thought it would be great if I could do the same on Hairducation. The blog posts will be short and straight to the point to avoid confusion, they will set out what types of product you need and what you need to look out for when buying these products at the stores.
I know so many of you will benefit from the series and I hope you’ll come back soon.
x
Lade
Learn | Change | Grow
I comb only when I take down my ps and wash,or if I have to do a style that needs it.most times I hvae my hair out without combing for weeks. I finger detangle and try to moisturise often too.
Author
Makus!!!!
My hair daughter, its good to know youre still stopping by 🙂
amen to combing only when needed and for most of us that not everyday.
xxxx
I recently learnt that finger detangling is best for me, now I try to only use my wide tooth comb on wash days while the conditioner/leave in is in my hair. It was heartbreaking but I really combed my hair a bit too much so it’s all for the best I guess. I love your blog! Keep it up!
Author
Hello Monique
Thank you soooo much, I’ll keep trying.
Using a wide tooth comb is always a good idea.
I only comb my hair when it is damp (not wet) and I have just applied my leave in conditioner.
Best of luck with your journey.
x
Lade
Hello Lade. Please what shops do you patronise for hair products in Lagos? Thank you.
Author
Hello Chidi
I buy my products from the following places, Ebeano Supermarket, Lekki Phase 1
Casabella (they have many branches in lagos)
Sizelle ( lekki and online store)
Supermarkets like Spar and Shoprite
hope that helps
x
Lade
Nice and informative post as usual, I live in your blog 24/7. Keep doing what you know how to do best. Am eagerly looking forward for your next post.
Author
awwwwwwww
Thanks Pem…….I am glad you’re a regular on Hairducation.
I almost didn’t put up this post because I wasn’t sure anyone would really find it useful, so glad I did.
next post will be up soon.
xxx
Lade
You have gorgeous hair. To me snagging hair means it’s time for a trim.
Author
Thank you!!!!!!!!
I definitely notice less breakage when I finger detangle or comb when my ends are freshly trimmed.
Finger detangling works best for me. I have had wash days when I don’t even use a comb at all. I even challenged myself and Finger detangled most of the time for 12weeks (that was 9months into my hair journey) . It helped me with length retention and it increased my hair thickness. Now I use combs sparingly…
Author
Hello Juditherese
well done on going comb free for that long.
I can imagine the good it did your hair. well done on your hair journey by the way, I see your progress on IG.
x
Lade
Finger detangling works well for me but then i only make use of comb on wash days. Nice and informative post.
Author
Thank you Hairlevation!!!
I believe most ladies on a hair journey comb only on wash days……clearly it works and is better for most of us ( there are always exceptions)
x
Lade
Finger de tangling is the safest option for me BUT because I need to put my hair in cornrows for school I need to comb my hair every week. It’s a necessity.
Hello!
This is my first time here! your hair is lovely i must say. I have been trying to make my hair more healthy but my hair sill breaks a lot when i comb. I think I would minimize the combing, thanks for the article.
I comb my hair once a month,when i take out my extensions and twice a month if i’m without extensions.Ive learnt something new in this post,thanks for sharing.
Hey girl! I have been on a relaxed hair journey for almost a year now. I don’t use a traditional relaxer though, i use a thio relaxer (also known as a curl remover). Naturally, my hair varies between the 2 and 3 texture ranges (creating a total of five different and resistant textures when natural) so when deciding to be relaxed, i chose thio because it is much milder than most relaxers, even at its strongest. Anyways, i comb my hair whenever i feel like it. I try not to do it every day if possible. However, my new growth has really kicked in and it is causing me to comb and brush more often. But i think it is great that this works for you. Congratulations!
Author
Hello Albany
The key is knowing what works for you and its great that you have a system that does this.
When I have a lot of new growth I definitely have to finger detangle more often.
Thankfully I usually switch to my wig regimen at this stage.
Happy hair journey.
x
Lade
This post is very useful. I have reduced combing to once per week. I usually use a soft brush on my hair when pinning up my ends (protective style), so that it can appear to be a little smoother. There has been minimal to no breakage. It makes a huge difference.
Author
Thanks for sharing Bahama
x
Lade
Lade, I’ve been a silent fan since a lady introduced me to your blog last year September. I stick to finger combing because combs do exactly what you say they do, pull out lots of my curls. Keep up the good work, sister. Bless 🙂
Author
Thank you so much Tosan, I appreciate all my readers, silent or vocal 🙂
Combing certainly isn’t something that works well with black hair. I am glad you know what works for you.
Thanks for the encouragement and happy hair journey.
x
Lade
lade just one quick question, how many times do u comb u r hair or a wash day? before or after the hair wash?
Author
hello Sapna
I comb my hair after I finger detangle it, just before putting it in braids to wash it. Then after rinsing out my deep conditioner I unravel the braids and detangle and comb again after applying my leave in conditioner. So I guess that’s twice on wash days.
hope that helps
x
Lade