Horror stories for the night: why you can’t comb wet hair

Although brushing your hair seems easy, doing so while it’s wet can cause unintended issues. Wet hair requires special handling because it is far more delicate and exposed than dry hair. Sadly, a lot of people are unaware of the dangers they run when they pick up a brush right after taking a shower.

You may be putting yourself at risk for split ends, breakage, and even hair loss if you comb through wet hair. This occurs as a result of water weakening the natural structure of hair, increasing its elasticity and susceptibility to damage. What was the outcome? You might be causing long-term damage to the health and appearance of your hair.

The first step in avoiding these hair horror stories is realizing why wet hair is so delicate. There are easy tricks to follow. Let’s examine what happens to wet hair and the reasons you shouldn’t brush it out right away.

Which hair is better to comb: wet or dry?

All of our experts advise against combing wet hair, if only because, as professionals, they frequently have to deal with the minor repercussions of handling strands improperly. It appears that running a comb through your hair could not be any simpler than combing it. But hurrying before styling (or before bed) has a cost that eventually catches up with all hurry-ups.

Consequences of combing wet hair

What problems—and how serious are they—can arise from combing your hair while it’s still damp after washing? There are only three common issues, according to SalonSecret stylists, but we’re willing to wager you won’t like them.

• Fragility. A hair shaft filled with moisture is easily stretched, and yet it is very vulnerable to damage due to deformed water cuticles. In this condition, hair easily breaks off along the length during combing.
• Hair loss. Although the hair follicle in the telogen phase is already disconnected from follicular nutrition, it is able to stay in the scalp for a long time. But the comb pulls out the hair weighed down by water ahead of time, and it already seems to us that a real catastrophe is happening, threatening baldness.
• Split ends and along the length. This problem will not appear immediately, but one day it will declare itself as a consequence of hair breaking during combing. On straight hair, this looks like unaesthetic frizz.

Is it really necessary to comb your hair after washing if everything is so horrible? Would it be wiser to hold off until it dries completely? Elena Komissarova, a professional technician at L’Oréal, responds to these queries.

Indeed, combing immediately after washing is contraindicated, but it is too late to comb completely dry hair, especially if it is wavy, curly, long or prone to damage. And is it worth risking it if it is enough to wait until the strands become slightly damp. It is impossible to completely throw this procedure out of your routine. Firstly, it is still necessary to detangle the strands, and secondly, without a comb, the lipid protection from the skin secretion is not able to be distributed uniformly from roots to ends, which is fraught with damage. If you are in a hurry, dry your hair with a hairdryer set to a cool mode. In any case, I recommend using a smoothing spray or leave-in cream if knots periodically make it difficult for the comb to pass through the hair.

L "Technologist Professional Oréal

Even though combing wet hair might seem harmless, it can actually do a lot of harm. Split ends and frizz can result from wet strands breaking easily because they are more brittle. Wet hair’s inherent elasticity weakens, making it more prone to stretching and snapping. It’s best to let your hair air dry a little before brushing or combing it to maintain its health.

When can you start combing your hair after washing?

Safe combing preparation starts even prior to washing. Professionals in hair advise meticulously brushing dry hair prior to taking a shower in order to avoid tangles while applying shampoo and conditioner. What comes next?

1. Wash your hair the way your hairdresser usually does. More about professional washing techniques read here. If your hair is long or prone to tangling, use a smoothing mask (for example, the eco-friendly Biolage SmoothProof with camellia and buriti oil).
2. When your hair is covered with a mask or conditioner, it is almost impossible to damage the strands. At this stage, comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb, helping the product to envelop each hair. This will help you to untangle the tightest knots like clockwork.
3. Finally, rinse your hair with warm water to close the cuticle.
4. After showering, blot your hair with a soft towel, avoiding friction.
5. Wait until your hair is 80% dry naturally (or blow dry it on a cool setting). This is the best time to comb: the strands are still elastic, but no longer so fragile and obediently amenable to styling.
6. Apply any suitable product to your hair for easy combing. Our stylists call among their favorites Redken One United Elixir and cream L’Oréal Professionnel Nutrifier.
7. First untangle the ends, then move up the hair shaft. The comb should not pull the strands, and the movements should be smooth.

If all is well, the strands will appear well-groomed even in the absence of styling.

Because wet hair strands are more brittle and prone to breaking, combing wet hair can cause needless damage. Over time, you can keep your hair stronger and healthier by abstaining from this habit.

To prevent unnecessary strain, pat dry your hair gently with a towel and wait until it’s slightly damp before brushing. You can significantly impact the long-term health of your hair with this easy change.

Recall that patience is essential. While your hair is wet, you should take extra care of it to avoid damage and maintain its best appearance.

Video on the topic

You didn’t expect to see this #Shorts

TICK (funny video, humor, jokes, laugh)

HORRIBLE CREATION 👹❌ It really exists 😱

Can you comb wet hair

July 22, 2025.