Slick ways to detangle WET hair

YOU’RE rushing to get ready, but your hair is sopping from the shower.

It’s tempting just to drag a brush through your wet strands — but this is a sure way to split ends, breakage and damaged hair, particularly in cold weather, when your hair can be more brittle.

‘Wet hair is naturally weaker than dry hair,’ says leading trichologist Anabel Kingsley. ‘Healthy hair, when wet, will stretch by one-third of its length, but if you have fine or thinning hair, the diameter of the shaft has decreased, which makes it weaker, so you need to be extra careful.’

Going gently on wet hair becomes even more important as we get older, as our hair becomes finer and thinner as we age. ‘Choose a wide-toothed comb or special detangling brush,’ advises Anabel, and start at the bottom of your hair, not the crown.

There are a range of clever new brushes specifically designed to be gentle on wet hair.

So, here’s our guide to reducing breakage — and getting out of the house on time, too . . .

UPDATE ON A CLASSIC

Tangle Teezer The Wet Detangler, €14.50, tangleteezer.com WHEN the Tangle Teezer detangling brush made its debut on TV’s Dragons’ Den in 2007, the panel famously rejected it— but it has since become hugely popular.

Now the Tangle Teezer has grown a handle, news that will be eagerly welcomed by those who found it tricky to grasp. This makes it far easier to use, particularly in the shower, and its 325 pointy plastic ‘teeth’ make light work of the tangled mass of my wet hair. 4/5

TAME LONG LOCKS

Denman Tangle Tamer Ultra, €16.99, boots.ie THIS straightforward paddle brush does an admirable job, although its bristles feel a little scratchy.

It’s easy to use, and works well on wet hair, as well as dry, but is probably better for people who have more hair, rather than less. 3/5

FAMILY FAVOURITE

The Wet Brush Pro Original Detangler, €14.39, feelunique.com THIS looks like a normal hairbrush, with a handle and a pad of ‘IntelliFlex’ bristles. They are flexible and very thin, so create less damage and require less effort than normal.

The bristles are the key to its effectiveness and each one has bobble tips to massage the scalp as you brush. It genuinely seems far gentler on my hair.

Since purchasing The Wet Brush a few years ago, I’ve always had one and I replace it often — not because it wears out, but because family members like it so much, they keep stealing it! 5/5

WACKY WONDER

EyeCandy Rainbow Volume S, €13.60, victoriahealth.com (main picture) I LOVE this brush for its colourful, wiggly bristles as much as its detangling prowess. The fun design will appeal to children who hate having their hair brushed, while the ‘S curl’ teeth, designed to follow the curvature of the hair shaft, minimise friction. That makes them good for detangling fine, wet hair. I love the fact that it has a mirror on the back (always useful) and is small enough to toss into a handbag. 4/5

FRUITY FRAGRANCE

Lemon Scented Detangling Comb, €21, ibizahair.ie THE age-old advice for detangling hair was always to use a widetoothed comb. But I’m stunned to find this one costs over €20! Is that a joke?

No, this is a designer version of a detangling comb, with nicely spaced teeth, and, as a finishing touch, it is impregnated with lemon oil.

I found it didn’t slip through the hair quite as easily as many of the brushes I tried and, sadly, I couldn’t smell the lemon over the scent of my conditioner — but if you prefer a comb, this is a good option. 2/5

DELICATE DESIGN

The Manta, €29, mantahair.com (below) THIS hairbrush was conceived by hairdresser Tim Binnington when his wife lost her hair due to illness. As it grew back, she needed to treat her hair gently, to stop breakage. Tim saw her using her fingers and so designed this brush to be just as gentle. You cradle the brush in your palm, anchoring the stubby ‘handle’ between your fingers to keep it steady. I get the idea, but found it tricky to hold. 3/5