Brushing wet hair can cause long-term damage heres what to do instead

For those with a hair care routine, a brush is an essential tool for daily upkeep — but brushing hair while it’s wet could cause more harm than good.The common habit could permanently weaken hair at a “molecular level,” according to Dr.Mehmet Erdogan, co-founder and hair transplant surgeon at Smile Hair Clinic in Istanbul.This could lead to increased breakage and thinning over time.

A 2022 study from the University of Manchester reflected this, finding that moisture can change hair’s response to stress.“When hair gets wet, it undergoes significant physical changes that can affect its ability to handle stress from brushing,” Erdogan said in comments shared with Fox News Digital. “The water causes the hair shaft to swell, stretches the cuticle and makes it more susceptible to breakage.”Although research has shown that wet hair stretches more than dry hair before breaking, Erdogan clarified that this doesn’t mean the hair is more flexible and resilient.“The opposite is true – this stretching damages the internal protein structure, leading to weaker hair over time,” he warned.“The brush pulls on swollen, weakened strands, causing them to stretch beyond their capacity.As they dry, they don’t return to their original state and remain damaged at a structural level.”Ashley DiMatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, told Fox News Digital in an interview that the salon has “definitely seen” damage from brushing wet hair.“Wet hair is more fragile, and rough brushing can cause breakage,” she said.

“But it’s rarely just one issue – hair loss or damage often comes from a combination of factors like stress, hormones, heat styling or chemical treatments.”Brianna Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser at DiMatteo’s salon, agreed that brushing wet hair can cause breakage, especially while doing so roughly or with the wrong tool.Factors like stress, diet, hormones and overprocessing can also ...