Comb or brush? The haircare tool you should be using

When you go to brush your hair, you probably don’t put much thought into what tool you’re reaching for. After all, brush or comb, it’s all the same, right?

Not quite. The truth is, brushes and combs are two very different haircare tools designed for very different purposes. There are even multiple types of brushes and combs. Which one you use for which task can affect everything from how well your hairstyles hold up to the overall health of your hair. We’re here to settle the debate of comb vs. brush and to help you understand when it’s best to use each one.

Comb vs. brush: what’s the real difference?

What’s the difference between a brush and a comb? Let’s start with the basics.

Anatomy of a hair brush

Most hair brushes consist of three components: a head, a handle, and bristles. The head of a brush can be either flat [a base] or cylindrical [a barrel]. The bristles are attached to the head of the brush and can be either individual pieces or small clusters of fibers made from natural or synthetic materials [or a blend of the two].

The body of the brush, which consists of both the head and the handle, can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, recycled materials, or even bone. Common materials used for bristles include boar’s hair, nylon, silicone, ceramic, wood, metal, and horn.

Common types of brushes

“Hair brush” is sort of a catch-all term for a variety of brushes. Generally speaking, brushes are designed to smooth hair and distribute the natural oils from your scalp and any products you use from root to tip. However, different styles of brushes are best suited for different applications.

These include:

• Paddle brush: Broad, flat, rectangular base with evenly spaced bristles made from either plastic, metal, or wood. Paddle brushes are well-suited for everyday use, especially if you have straight hair.
• Boar bristle brush: Oval base with densely packed bristles made from boar’s hair. These bristles can be either stiff or soft. Since boar bristles are made from keratin, they generate less friction than synthetic bristles, and their compact placement distributes natural oils better, resulting in smoother, shinier hair.
• Detangling brush: Oval base with thin, widely spaced, flexible bristles. Detangling brushes are designed to glide smoothly through wet hair [though they can also be used on dry hair], gently working out knots and snarls without tugging on strands or causing breakage.
• Vent brush: Rectangular, perforated base with thin, widely spaced, heat-resistant bristles. The vents that give this brush its name allow air to circulate more freely when blow-drying, so that water wicks away and hair dries faster.
• Teasing brush: Long, narrow base with two or three rows of tightly packed bristles [often a combination of boar and synthetic bristles]. Teasing brushes are made for backcombing, a styling technique intended to add volume to hair. The dense bristles allow strands to slip through while still generating enough friction to push them back toward the scalp, creating lift at the roots.
• Round brush: Cylindrical barrel with densely packed, heat-resistant bristles. Designed for styling, round brushes create curls, waves, and volume when blow-drying and are essential to achieving the perfect blowout. Some round brushes also have vents for better air circulation and faster drying.

Anatomy of a comb

Combs have two main components, a shaft and teeth, though many also include a handle. The shaft, or the back of the comb, is a long, sturdy piece which holds the teeth, or the prongs that comb through hair. Combs can be made of any number of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, acetate, and horn. The teeth of a comb are often made from the same material as the shaft.

As with brushes, there are multiple different types of combs, including:

• Fine-toothed comb: Thin, fine, closely spaced teeth. The fine teeth of this comb are designed to provide a neat, tidy look, especially for those with short, straight, or fine hair. Fine-toothed combs should only be used on dry hair, as their teeth are not sturdy enough to work through knots in wet hair and can actually make tangles worse.
• Wide-toothed comb: Thick, widely spaced teeth. Wide-toothed combs are perfect for detangling both wet and dry hair, as their teeth are sturdier and can gently work through knots. This design also makes wide-toothed combs suitable for those with thick, wavy, or curly hair.
• All-purpose comb: Thick, evenly spaced teeth. Somewhere between a fine-toothed and a wide-toothed comb, an all-purpose comb is great for every hair type, texture, and application.
• Pick: Short handle and thick, long, evenly spaced teeth often made from metal. Picks are specifically designed to detangle and add volume to curly or coily hair. Their ergonomic design makes them comfortable to use, and their extra-long teeth easily separate individual curls for added definition.
• Teasing comb: Thin, fine, closely spaced teeth and a tapered handle. A teasing comb, also known as a “rat comb” for its long, thin handle, is often used to part hair in different directions. Like a teasing brush, it’s also ideal for backcombing, with its densely packed teeth creating the necessary friction to push strands up.

When to use a comb vs. a brush

Brushes and combs are designed for very different purposes, and the right tool for the job will depend on a few different factors. Here are some examples of when you should reach for a comb vs. a brush, and vice versa:

• If your hair is wet, use a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush. Both are designed to be gentle on hair and to work through knots and snarls without pulling or tugging on strands, which can be painful and lead to breakage. That said, it’s still important to go slow when using either option on wet hair. Try pairing your comb or brush with a leave-in conditioner for added moisture and a more slippery texture.
• If your hair is dry, there are quite a few options available to you, including a paddle brush, boar bristle brush, all-purpose comb, or pick. Which one you choose depends entirely on your haircare goals — for example, you might choose a boar bristle brush if you want to add shine to your hair, or a pick if you have curly hair and want to add some extra volume.
• If you want to style your hair, you have a couple choices. If heat styling’s your speed, a round brush is just the thing to get voluminous curls or the perfect at-home blowout. If you prefer slicked-back styles, try using a fine-toothed comb with your favorite gel or anti-frizz serum to smooth strands into place and get a chic, polished look.
• If you have curly hair, avoid brushes entirely, as they can tug at strands, cause frizz, and make curls look fluffy, rather than defined. Instead, try using a wide-toothed comb when working moisturizing products through your hair and a pick for dry detangling and to add body and fullness.

Materials make a difference

You now know the difference between combs vs. brushes, and even the ideal use cases for different types of brushes and combs. But did you know the various materials brushes and combs are made from have different properties?

Check out the pros and cons for each of these common materials:

COMBS

BRUSH HEADS

BRUSH BRISTLES

Common mistakes when choosing a comb vs. brush

Regardless whether you use a comb or a brush, there are a few basic mistakes you’ll want to avoid to ensure your hair stays healthy, soft, and tangle-free:

• Brushing wet hair: Whether you’re in the shower or just out of it, avoid using a brush on wet hair, unless it’s a detangling brush specifically designed for that purpose. When hair is wet, water can penetrate the hair shaft and disrupt hydrogen bonds, which increases their elasticity but reduces their tensile strength.¹ It can also disrupt the disulfide bonds in keratin, making strands more susceptible to mechanical stress.
  
  The right tool — preferably, a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush — can gently work out knots without applying additional mechanical stress and stretching or breaking strands.
• Overbrushing: While brushing or combing your hair is necessary to prevent snarls that could lead to further damage, it also introduces mechanical stress and friction to strands. Excessive brushing can disrupt the cuticle layer of your hair, creating a rough, frizzy texture and exposing the inner cortex to further damage and, eventually, breakage.
  
  The general rule of thumb is to brush your hair no more than twice a day. However, this guidance may vary depending on your hair type and texture; for example, those with curly or coily hair will need to brush less often than those with straight hair.
• Choosing the wrong barrel size: Brush size matters, especially when it comes to round brushes and blow-drying. It’s understandable to think that a smaller barrel will allow for more detail work than a larger one, especially if your end goal is bouncy curls as opposed to a blowout. With that said, round brushes with smaller barrels can easily get tangled in hair — especially if you have thicker or more coarse hair — which can cause damage. They can also create disappointing results if you’re not careful and consistent.
  
  Generally speaking, when using a round brush to blow-dry, it’s best to choose one with a medium-sized barrel, as you can use it to create either curls or a blowout, whichever suits your personal style.
  
• Not cleaning your brushes: Both hair brushes and combs are repeatedly exposed to the natural oils on your strands and scalp, dead skin cells, environmental factors such as dirt and dust, and various haircare products that leave residue. These can all contribute to buildup along bristles and teeth, or worse: bacteria that can cause scalp irritation and infection.
  
  To prevent this issue — and to keep your hair smooth and shiny — regularly clean your brushes and combs. Start by removing all loose hair from the teeth or bristles, then run your brush or comb under warm water for a few minutes to loosen up residue. Then, using a solution made of warm water and a mild dish soap or shampoo, carefully scrub around the teeth or bristles to remove gunk and buildup.
  
  If you’re having trouble cleaning between hair brush bristles, try using a toothbrush or a Q-tip to gently scrub away residue. Finish off with another warm water rinse to wash away any remaining buildup, then dry your brush or comb off with a microfiber towel.
  
  This last step is especially important if you’re using a comb or brush made from wood or bamboo, as these can warp or develop mold if not dried properly; this is also a good time to apply a conditioning treatment, such as a conditioning oil, to prevent cracking.
  
• Forcing through tangles: Snarled hair can be frustrating, so much so that it can be tempting to yank out tangles rather than work through them slowly and carefully. But, in addition to being painful, forcing your way through tangles can pull out strands and cause mid-shaft breakage, the latter of which can contribute to frizz and flyaways.

  What products work best with each tool

  Ready to perfect your haircare routine? Try using these Living Proof products the next time you brush or comb your hair:

• If you’re using a wide-toothed comb on wet hair, apply our Leave-In Conditioning Spray, first, to make detangling easier. Plus, enjoy added benefits, including all-day conditioning and heat and UV protection.
  
• If you’re using a fine-toothed comb to style, pair it with our Style Lab® Control Hairspray to set sleek, defined styles in place without any of the stiffness or crunchiness of traditional hairsprays.
• If you’re using a paddle brush, apply the Anti-Frizz Smooth Styling Serum to add moisture and shine while keeping frizz and flyaways at bay. If you plan on heat styling, be sure to use the Perfect hair Day™ Heat Styling Spray, first, to smooth strands and get heat protection for up to 450°F / 230°C.
• If you’re using a round brush for an at-home blowout, apply our Full Thickening Mousse or our Full Volume & Root-Lifting Spray to add volume at your roots. Follow them up with our Style Lab® Blowout styling spray to speed up blow-dry time and achieve a flexible hold that will make your blowout last longer.
  
• If you’re using a boar bristle brush, reach for lightweight, nourishing products such as our Anti-Frizz Vanishing Oil or our Restore Repair Leave-In conditioning spray. Or, if you want to revive flat, oily-looking hair between washes, a boar bristle brush can evenly distribute the Perfect hair Day™ Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo across strands.
• If you’re using a teasing brush or comb, the Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray adds instant texture and creates a buildable, no-slip grip that’s perfect for backcombing.

   

  Or, if you’re interested in a product lineup personalized to your haircare needs and goals, take our free quiz today.

  FAQs

  Should I use a comb or a brush?

  Whether you use a comb or a brush depends on several factors, including your hair type and texture, whether your hair is wet or dry, whether you’re trying to detangle or style your hair, and what kind of look you’re trying to achieve. As a general rule of thumb, though, it’s best to use a comb on wet hair, curly or textured hair, and for precise styling; use a brush on dry hair, long or fine hair, and when blow-drying.

  What are the benefits to using a comb vs. a brush?

  Both combs and brushes come with advantages and disadvantages. In terms of benefits, here’s a handy breakdown for each:

  COMBS	BRUSHES
  Suitable for detangling [wide-toothed comb] or precise styling [fine-toothed comb] Less disruptive to wave or curl patterns in textured hair Better for wet hair Better for short hair	Distribute natural oils and product more evenly Can be used to achieve different styles, including curls and at-home blowouts [round brush] Better for dry hair Better for long hair

   

  Both combs and brushes are made from a wide variety of materials, ranging from synthetic materials such as plastic and ceramic to natural materials such as wood and bamboo, each with their own unique properties and advantages.

  How often do combs and brushes need to be cleaned?

  It’s important to regularly clean your comb or brush to prevent bacteria residue from natural oils, dead skin cells, products, and environmental pollutants from building up on teeth and bristles. If you use a comb or brush on a daily basis, washing it with warm water and a mild dish soap or shampoo once a week can keep buildup at bay. If, however, you use your comb or brush less frequently, washing it once a month is fine.

  Notes

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  1. Biophysical Journal, “The susceptibility of disulfide bonds to modification in keratin fibers undergoing tensile stress,” https://www.cell.com/biophysj/fulltext/S0006-3495(22)00328-9.  ↩