These Hair Brushes Stimulate Growth and Thicken Strands
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If you’ve ever fallen down a late-night rabbit hole of hair growth hacks, you’ve probably seen everything from pumpkin seed oil to peptide scalp serums to silk pillowcases touted as the secret to longer, thicker strands. But one of the most underrated tools for healthy hair growth might already be sitting on your vanity. Because while hair products can help heal your strands from within, using the right hair brush can promote stronger, faster growth without causing any damage.
The best hair growth brushes don’t just detangle. They stimulate the scalp, distribute natural oils, and encourage stronger follicles over time. As Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City, explains, “Hair brushes help maintain hair hygiene by preventing knots or tangles that can damage and weaken hair.” Plus, “Stimulation of circulation within scalp skin may also improve the delivery of nutrients and vitamins, helping to reduce the impact of oxidative stress on hair growth.” In short, think of brushing not as a chore, but as a mini massage for your scalp.
Hair loss or thinning can happen to anyone. “It can be related to several factors, including hormonal changes, age, genetics, underlying medical conditions, medications, and hair treatments and styles, to name a few,” says Dr. Camp. However, using the proper tool and bristles can help boost blood circulation to the roots, supporting hair’s natural growth cycle and enhancing shine from root to tip.
Who knew that the simple act of brushing your hair every day could have such long-term benefits? Now that you know, you’re probably itching to get your hands on a quality pick, and I’m here to help. With Dr. Camp’s expertise, my personal experiences, and customer feedback in mind, I’ve produced the below guide to the five best brushes for stimulating hair growth.
If you don’t like the idea of using an actual boar bristle brush, Dr. Camp recommends this one as an alternative. “Made with vegan boar-like bristles, this styling and detangling brush can be used on dry and wet hair,” he says. The bristles are firm enough to encourage blood flow in the scalp yet gentle enough to avoid causing breakage or damage to even fine hair.
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this brush! I have previously used wet brushes that have regular bristles, but after using my sister-in-law’s boar bristle brush, I knew I needed to order this since it was a combo of both. I have hand-tied extensions that get matted easily, and this detangles it so easily. I do wish the brush was slightly larger, but it’s not that much of an issue. The other thing I’ve noticed is the minimal hair loss I have with this brush. After using it for two weeks, there is practically no buildup of my hair in the brush, so I think it is definitely helping me avoid damage and promote growth.”
I’d be remiss if I forgot to mention Mason Pearson brushes—mine is one of my most prized possessions, and I’m determined to make it an heirloom within my family. “While more expensive than most hair brushes, this iconic brush is composed of boar hair in an oval-shaped brush that is suitable for use on sensitive scalps and those with fine hair,” Dr. Camp explains. The brush is a pro at distributing the scalp’s natural oils down the hair shaft, stimulating blood flow in the scalp and strengthening your strands in the process.
An ELLE editor says: “For decades, I had seen Mason Pearson brushes on lists as a ‘must-have’ beauty item. I never really got the hype until I was gifted one of my own. Unlike other brushes, it is a glorious scalp massager; the combination of the boar and nylon tufts feel like firm fingers gently raking through my brain. Plus, it also works to gently detangle hair (for big knots, you’ll need an actual detangler) and leaves my hair looking shiny, fluffy, and glossy. I’ll never forget the first day I used my Mason Pearson brush, and a colleague stopped me in the hallway, saying, ‘Your hair looks great. Did you do something different?’ ‘I brushed it?’ I said, semi-embarrassed. I guess my lank, fine hair really needed a good brushing. I should note that it is on the more expensive end for brushes, but this is one of those rare ‘forever objects’—something you can buy once and have for years. Many Reddit users talk about how they have had their Mason Pearson brushes for more than 20 years.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
No matter how quickly your hair grows out of your scalp, you won’t see the length increase if the ends keep breaking off. One of the culprits behind breakage could be a hair brush that’s too harsh or brushing too hard while your hair is wet and fragile. Using a gentle boar bristle brush like this one to detangle, break up buildup, and spread your skin’s natural oils (while your hair is dry, of course) is ideal when trying to grow out your hair.
An ELLE editor says: “For people who are afraid of the price of a Mason Pearson but still want the benefits of a paddle brush, I recommend the brushes from Crown Affair. Everything from the pistachio-colored packaging to the small, considered details (like a cloth bag that snugly fits your hair brush for travel) feels unique. The brushes have a nice weight in the hand to feel special, and it has a similar blend of boar and nylon bristles to the Mason Pearson too. You’ll notice that the brush has an oval-ish tufted shape (also similar to the Pearson in design), and great for delivering shine and soothing scalp tingles.”—Kathleen Hou
French-made brand La Bonne Brosse landed stateside just last year, and it’s already been getting lots of love from editors (including me). There’s just something about the playful yet luxe design of the handmade brushes that draws you in, and there are also a multitude of beautiful colors to choose from. The best part is that the more you use it, the shinier your hair will look, and you may even find yourself needing to shampoo less frequently, since your scalp won’t be so overloaded with sebum.
An ELLE editor says:“This is by far the nicest hair brush I’ve ever used. Not only is it absolutely beautifully crafted, but it’s also really good for your hair. Whenever I use this brush, I feel like I can go longer in between washes since it evenly distributes the oil from your scalp through the rest of your hair.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
Boar bristles aren’t the only type that can brush hair without damage. Strong wooden bristles, like those sold by Tek, are extra gentle on fine strands for a less damaging detangle. The sturdy wooden pins also massage the scalp to increase blood circulation and promote healthy hair follicles. Similar to boar hair, 100 percent wood brushes also help move natural oils down your tresses for a healthy shine.
An ELLE editor says: “Over the past year, I’ve seen wooden brushes explode in popularity for their promotion of healthy and quick hair growth. First things first, I love the way that Tek’s wooden bristles massage my scalp as they detangle. It’s like a follicle stimulation and relaxing treatment all in one. Plus, I notice very little shedding and buildup in the bristles after I brush out my hair with this tool.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
Dr. Brendan Camp is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City.
Dr. Camp recommends brushing hair at least one to two times a day if possible. “This limits tangles and distributes oil or sebum throughout the hair shaft,” he says.
“Topical minoxidil is thought to help encourage hair growth by keeping hair in the growth phase of its life cycle for a longer period of time,” Dr. Camp says. He also says that scalp oils and serums can help by nourishing the scalp, while scalp massagers “may stimulate blood flow to encourage the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles,” he adds.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items.
For this piece, beauty writers Carol Lee and Emma Aerin Becker consulted a dermatologist, searched the internet for top-rated hair growth brushes and tried them themselves, and perused sites for customer feedback.
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, and member of the ELLE Beauty Advisory Board. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group.
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