OK, as I watched my sister-in-law yank a comb thru her just washed hair, I was wondering when each of you combs out their hair.

Personnally, I use a wide-toothed comb to comb out my hair very gently during my final rinse.  Then I don't touch it until it is dry.  I then still use a wide toothed comb to comb it out.

Wel, I comb my hair out while it's got conditioner in it - detangles far easier and doesn't break, in my experience. It also seems to work the conditioner through better.

I had some friends try to convince me that "everyone has to comb their hair out while it's wet, it's a part of life, stop being a baby about it." ... I explained that combing my hair while wet was rather like trying to shove a house sideways, while having the spanish inquisition "question" me... futile and painful. my cosmetology student friend insisted. I rolled my eyes and let her try... half an hour and a one inch strand of hair(the first one, to be precise) still tangly, she gave in and let me keep my methods.

I bought a wide tooth comb that hooks in the shower, but I don't always use it.  I comb right after my shower.  If the conditioning went well, it combs right out.  If not, I have to use lots of detangling spray.  But psychologically, I cannot leave it alone until dry, like Kiraela does.  ...'course, I haven't made a serious effort...but whenever I think about it, I just go...No...  Kind of like when Weight Watchers told me I should eat half a banana as one fruit.  Just can't do it.

LOL.  I used to comb my hair while I had conditioner in and then I impulsively combed it until it dried.  I laugh because since I came to LL, I only comb when it is dry.  Its funny (having read Susan's 'bible' for hair) to think of using a comb during the final rinse now a days.  Now I use a wood comb and I think the moisture would damage it.  That said, I still have my old, wide tooth plastic comb (which has 100% smooth edges) that I could go back to using for things like that.  But then again...since I don't seem to need to comb so much...I think I will stick with things the way I have gotten into the habit of doing them.  My hair doesn't tangle these days...so I don't need to comb sooner.  If I had hair that really got tangled...I would pull out the old comb...which I will keep in case things change as my hair gets longer!!

JD

I couldn't really chose any of the options.   :-/

I use a wide-toothed comb before I wash, and then after I towel dry and apply my leave-in conditioner.  I'm still bad and use a brush frequently.  My hair is just too unruley for a comb to tame.

Putting it up into a bun or twist helps control it, though.  I should do that more.  :p

I chose "after the final rinse".  Specifically, I rinse out the conditioner, squeeze out excess water, gently towel dry, and THEN carefully comb.  The tresses air dry for about 3 hours before I even think of brushing.  Really, I wouldn't have to brush at all; I think it's simply an old habit I haven't bothered to break yet.

Yikes to your SIL, BB.  :o

My mother and sister both use a brush on their hair when it's wet. The cheapie plastic vented variety with the little knobs on the end of the teeth (some of which have worn or broken off) and rough seams galore. Scary.
   Even scarier is that I was in this same practice until about a decade ago. My hair is much finer, thinner and prone to damage than theirs is, so needless to say, it wasn't healthy!

These days, I wait until my hair is completely dry before combing it out. Oh I might separate wet strands with my fingers or flip my head upside down to keep the roots from drying plastered to my scalp. Usually, I'll finger comb when my hair is almost dry just to get it to lay right, but I save any actual combing for when it's dry. I don't need to attack it when it's most vulnerable, I guess.

I chose when hair is completely dry-which is actually before I wash it.

When my hair is wet I finger comb my conditioner through once.

I only comb my dry hair if I'm doing a style that needs smoothness or just before I wash 'cause I'm a curly girl.  Regular combing takes my curls out, or diminishes them enough that I don't like how it looks.

oh combing hair when wet is bad? with a wide tooth comb? I read somewhere (can't remember where) that it is best to comb with widetooth comb right after you get out of the shower, cos it detangles before it dries. On the other hand, I realize that wet hair is weaker than dry hair. OMG can someone tell me which is which, I would hate to be doing damage to my hair when I think Im not

Thank you for asking that Yaku, I had read something about that too but figured it must be an urban tale.  Now we will find out!!!

JD

Hair is very elastic when it is wet.  If you pull on wet hair, it will stretch.  If it stretches you will damage the hair.  If you must comb your hair when it is wet, a wide toothed comb will minimize the stress on the hair.  Many of us comb our hair while still in the shower - letting the flow of the water help to detaingle the hair.

If you allow tangled hair to dry with the tangles still there, you run the risk of the tangles/knots tightening.  (The hair shortens up as it dried, so knots will also tighten.)   This is why it is important to detangle your hair BEFORE you wash and minimize the movement of the hair while washing/conditoning, so that you do not create tangles.

Does this help?  (or are we even more confused now?  ;D)

Thanks for the info! I will stop using my plastic one right away. And am ordering from Heavenly Harvest, a horn comb (wide tooth) for...*before* the shower if I understand correctly. *thanks again

Thanx BB.  I must admit, I tend to forget to comb my hair until hours after it dries.  So far not so bad, but I am going to take the shower thing into consideration.

Yaku brought up the horn comb.  I like my wood one that I had made for me (wide tooth of course) but someone on this site once mentioned there was a comb that was best for the wet hair thing you mentioned.  Can you tell me what it is?

JD

wrote on Sep 5^th, 2007 at 6:07pm:

someone on this site once mentioned there was a comb that was best for the wet hair thing you mentioned.  Can you tell me what it is?...

Oooh I wantto know as well!
Ok so I have been showering at night/evening now (a few hours before I head to bead). Quit the plastic comb right away! (thank you:)) and now have the Horn Wide Toothed Comb for the morning from Heavenly Harvest. My hair is getting really healthy. ALSO... **(possibly) BREAKING NEWS (maybe)**:
Terressentials is AMAZING!!! My hair is so extremely different so far. I'm in the "detox" phase, but ..oh gosh it is amazing. I am curious how to implement jojoba oils, etc with this product, but..yes.
So..do not comb your hair when wet. I am a definite believer in this now.

Yaku,

I have a feeling I was told the horn comb for wet and the wood comb for dry...but I am REALLY unsure.  I hope someone will clear this up for us!!!  Or should I say, someone with more experience.

JD

Wood combs should not be used on wet hair - the wood will warp and crack.  Horn combs can be used on wet hair, but should be dried after using.  They can get yucky if they stay wet for extended periods of time.

well---I chose after the final rinse since I couldnt get a comb into it b4 that.  I have to condition 1st, rinse, towel dry about 5 minutes then ever soooo gently comb w/plastic comb from sallys.

Debr

Well, for me it varies. If I'm in a hurry I comb it when it's mostly dry, but often I wait until it has dried completely out of pure laziness.  ;) Combing my hair wet is just gah, it tangles and behaves really badly.  ::)