ALLAS (KDAF) — A common post-shower habit could be silently damaging your hair, according to Dr. Mehmet Erdogan, Co-Founder and Hair Transplant Surgeon at Smile Hair Clinic. He cautions that brushing wet hair weakens the hair’s molecular structure, potentially leading to increased breakage and thinning over time.
“When hair is wet, it undergoes significant physical changes,” explained Dr. Erdogan. “The water causes the hair shaft to swell and stretches the cuticle, making it much more prone to breakage when brushed.”
While wet hair can stretch more than dry hair before snapping, this elasticity is misleading. “Many believe wet hair is more flexible and resilient, but the opposite is true,” Dr. Erdogan said. “The stretching damages the internal protein structure, weakening the hair over time.”
Improper care of wet hair is a common cause of hair breakage. “Brushing swollen, weakened strands pulls them beyond their limits, and as they dry, the damage becomes permanent at a structural level,” he added.
To minimize damage, Dr. Erdogan advises using a wide-tooth comb for detangling wet hair, starting from the ends and gently working upward, never from the roots. “Brushing wet hair with a regular brush can accelerate hair loss, which may complicate hair transplant recovery for those undergoing treatment,” he noted.
Styling practices combining heat and moisture, such as blow-drying soaking wet hair, can amplify damage. “Rapid evaporation of water inside the hair shaft causes a ‘mini explosion’ effect that damages the cuticle from within,” he said.
For those with straight hair, partially air-drying before combing is ideal, while those with curly or textured hair should use conditioner and a wide-tooth comb on damp hair.
Hair that is fine, chemically treated, or previously damaged is especially vulnerable to this kind of harm. Research from the University of Manchester and a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science confirm that wet hair exposed to heat styling undergoes more significant structural damage than dry hair.
As the popularity of heat styling tools grows, protecting hair’s integrity becomes increasingly challenging, Dr. Erdogan says.
The American Academy of Dermatology echoes these recommendations, urging caution with wet hair care to prevent unnecessary thinning and breakage.
“Once hair’s protein structure is compromised, it cannot be repaired—only trimmed,” Dr. Erdogan concluded. “Proper care during hair transplant recovery and everyday hair maintenance is key to preserving healthy, strong hair.”
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