For many, the idea of meticulously brushing hair might seem outdated or unnecessary in today’s era of advanced hair care treatments. However, there are potential benefits of using this method to nurture and maintain your hair. 

Dr Meghna Mour, aesthetic dermatologist, trichologist and founder of Skuccii Supercliniq reveals, “Brushing your hair gently with a tangle teezer or a specific hairbrush, especially at night, can do wonders for your locks!

“It helps spread those natural oils from your scalp down to your ends, keeping your hair moisturised and looking shiny and healthy. Plus, it helps get rid of any knots or gunk in your hair, making your scalp feel cleaner.”

Sonam Kapoor, known for her impeccable style and beauty, disclosed that she still adheres to the age-old tradition of using a tangle teezer or a hairbrush to stroke her hair a hundred times. (Sonam Kapoor/ Instagam)

Benefits of using the 100 strokes technique on your hair

Dr Kalyani Deshmukh, consultant dermatologist at Traya, lists some of the benefits of integrating a 100 stroke method or even meticulously brushing your hair in the evening: 

Stimulating blood circulation: Brushing the scalp can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth and overall scalp health.

Distributing natural oils: Brushing helps distribute natural oils from the scalp to the lengths of the hair, which can moisturize and condition dry ends, giving the hair a healthier appearance.

Detangling: Brushes like tangle teezers are designed to gently detangle knots and remove snags without causing breakage or damage to the hair.

Relaxation and stress relief: Brushing the hair can be a relaxing ritual, particularly when done in the evening. It can help unwind and relieve stress accumulated throughout the day.

Enhancing shine: By distributing natural oils evenly along the hair shaft, brushing can enhance the hair’s shine and smoothness.

Exfoliating: Brushing can help remove dead skin cells and product buildup from the scalp, preventing clogged follicles and promoting a healthy environment for hair growth.

Improving hair texture: Regular brushing can help improve the overall texture of the hair, making it softer and more manageable.

Brushes like tangle teezers are designed to gently detangle knots and remove snags without causing breakage or damage to the hair. (Source: Freepik)

Specific techniques or tips to optimise the benefits

Dr Deshmukh explains that gently brushing the hair helps maintain its health and appearance in several ways. To optimise the benefits of brushing, consider the following techniques and tips:

Use the right brush

Choose a brush specifically designed for your hair type and needs. For example, use a wide-tooth comb for curly hair and a soft-bristle brush for fine hair. Opt for wooden comb over plastic brush to avoid static electricity induced frizziness.

Start from the ends

Begin brushing from the ends of the hair and work your way up to the roots to avoid pulling and causing damage.

Be gentle

Use gentle strokes and avoid tugging or pulling on knots. Patience is key when detangling hair.

Brush regularly

Incorporate brushing into your daily hair care routine, ideally first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening, to maintain scalp health and distribute natural oils evenly.

Clean your brush

Regularly remove hair and debris from your brush to prevent buildup, which can transfer back to your hair and scalp.

Avoid over brushing

While brushing is beneficial, overdoing it can lead to damage and breakage. Aim for a few minutes of gentle brushing per session.

Advantages or disadvantages of using the 100 strokes technique

Dr Mour says that brushing your hair gently, especially in the evening, can actually do wonders for your scalp and hair health. “By stimulating the scalp, brushing promotes circulation which helps deliver important nutrients and oxygen to your hair follicles. This support helps your hair grow and stay healthy.” 

Additionally brushing helps exfoliate the scalp, getting rid of dead skin cells and impurities that could block hair follicles and slow down growth. While there’s no solid proof that evening brushing directly improves scalp health or hair growth, making it a regular part of your hair care routine can definitely benefit your overall hair health in the long run. 

However, Dr Deshmukh warns against excessive brushing, especially with improper technique or using the wrong type of brush, as it can lead to hair breakage and damage.

“Traditional brushing rituals may not address specific hair concerns or accommodate different hair types, leading to suboptimal results for some individuals,” she adds. Brushing hair 100 times can be time-consuming, especially compared to modern hair care practices that offer more efficient solutions which can be an added disadvantage.