The Worst Type Of Brush For Hair Loss, According To Hairstylists

Thinning hair can be fragile and delicate—and require a different level of care, especially when it comes to the type of hairbrushes you use. The right brush can help prevent hair loss while the wrong brush could only exacerbate the issue. To learn more about the worst type of brush to use if you’re experiencing hair loss, we spoke with Fabio Scalia, professional hair stylist and founder of Fabio Scalia Salons, and Darrius Peace of Hayah Beauty, a master hairstylist, beauty instructor, author, international speaker, and natural hair expert. They said that long boar bristle brushes because they are too harsh on your follicles and could cause even more fallout if used regularly.

Long boar bristle brush

The boar bristle brush is a type of hairbrush in which the fiber or bristle comes from the wild boar—they usually come from India or China where the animals are raised for their hair. Because boar bristles are flexible and soft, pure boar bristle brushes are supposedly ideal for fine or soft hair. "The worst type of [brush] to use if you’re experiencing thinning with your hair is a boar bristle brush," Peace explains. "These brushes tend to be very coarse and hard, which could result in more hair loss than necessary. They were designed for thicker hair with more fortified strands."

Specifically, Scalia warns people who experience hair loss against long boar bristle brushes. "The length of the bristle matters when it comes to creating tension and [pulling] on the hair. If you experience hair thinning, stay away from brushes that pull tightly at the root," he says.

Instead of long boar bristle brushes, Scalia says to look for brushes with a shorter or looser bristle pattern. This means the bristles are more spaced out. "Brushes that massage the scalp is great as well since that stimulates hair growth," he says. "The most important thing to remember is to feel the tension the brush creates during use. If you feel like it’s pulling too hard, stop using it."

Similarly, Peace agrees that the best type of brush for thinning hair is a "paddle brush with plastic wide-spaced bristles." This brush is usually much softer on the follicles. And, you can see if strands may be sharing.

For other advice on how to battle hair loss or hair thinning, Scalia recommends starting with your diet. "Include foods such as mushrooms, oysters, and walnuts. You can also supplement with growth stimulators such as Nutrafol," he suggests.

Scalia also advises his clients to not wash their hair frequently. And, when you wash, "don’t be too rough—use soft gentle circular motions." Noted!

But, Peace says that it's crucial to consult your doctor or a dermatologist, "Because hair grows from the inside out, thinning can be an indicator of something more going on in the body. As far as hair care is concerned, opting for styles that require a little to no manipulation, such as curly styles are most ideal," he says.

One last piece of advice from Scalia is to try and relax. Although it may be hard to distract yourself from thinning hair, slowing down and meditating can be extremely helpful. "Pay attention to the stressors in your lifestyle. Combating stress will help tremendously in your healthy hair journey," he says.

So, there you have it! The worst type of hair brush for thinning hair is a long boar bristle brush. This is because they pull too tightly at the root and can cause even more fallout and damage to the scalp. Instead, Peace and Scalia recommend opting for brushes with shorter and wider-spaced bristles. To prevent hair loss, they also suggest changing your diet, how frequently your wash your hair, how hard you brush your hair, and also how you style your hair. It's also important to consult a dermatologist to discover the root (pun intended!) of your thinning hair.