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Top 6 Hair Extension Safe Brushes You Must Have

Updated: Mar 24, 2021

Getting hair extensions installed is certainly not the final destination of your quest for a gorgeous mane. It’s only the beginning of an exciting journey!


Extensions may have helped you achieve that million-dollar look. But how long this look will last depends entirely on how well you take care of your hair.

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Brushing is one of the most basic, but highly important procedures of your hair care routine, regardless of which extension method you opted for. That’s why it’s crucial to pick the right tool for the job.


So say goodbye to your old comb, and get the hair extension brush that will help you keep your locks looking beautiful longer.


The reason why your regular comb is not a brush suitable for extensions is that it may tug at the roots of your natural hair, severely damaging it in the process. This may in turn cause shedding, which is probably not quite the effect you were hoping to achieve.


But researching brushes is a tedious process, often involving trial and error (speaking from extensive personal experience here).


So to save you some time and money, I’ve compiled a quick list of the best hair-extension-safe brushes out on the market. These will help you maintain not just the picture-perfect style of your hair, but its overall state of health as well.


SO, WHY ELSE DO YOU NEED A SPECIAL BRUSH FOR HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Just in case hair damage wasn’t a convincing enough argument, here are a few more reasons why you should ditch that old comb in favour of a special brush for extensions:

  • The extension brush is designed specifically for dealing with a lot of hair.

  • It is soft and slides smoothly through hair, helping you gently detangle your extensions without excessive pulling or snagging during brushing.

  • Unlike a regular comb, the specialty brush will not get caught in the extension bonds.

  • The bristles of the specialty brush reduce pressure on extensions and prevent hair breakage, thus preserving its length.


WHY ELSE ARE REGULAR PADDLE BRUSHES UNSUITABLE FOR HAIR EXTENSIONS?

“So, proper brushing is just a matter of diligence. What if I simply make sure I’m very careful when I’m using my old paddle brush?” you may be thinking.


Here’s why this will not work. Unlike a detangling brush for extensions, the ordinary “paddle” bristles will still stretch and pull on your locks. This will inevitably lead to volume and length reduction, as well as to the shedding of the clips.


No matter how carefully used, a regular hairbrush will exert too much pressure on ravelled hair, too, especially when it’s wet. This can result in pulling, cuticle damage or even breakage of the extension bonds.


I know, paddle brushes are cheap. But your extensions aren’t. So, if you wish to extend the lifespan of your mane, finding a quality brush is incredibly important.


WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF BRUSH FOR HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Now that I’ve explained the necessity of investing into a proper brush, let’s take a closer look at all the different types available on the market. Here are some examples of what, from personal experience, I consider to be the best types of brushes for hair extensions:


HAIR EXTENSION LOOP BRUSH

The use of loops instead of traditional bristles is what makes this interesting brush specimen stand out among others.


The loops ease the pressure on extension knots, and won’t snag your hair. They’ll slide through your locks smoothly, turning brushing into a delightful experience.


HAIR EXTENSION ROUND BRUSH

If you are a proud owner of curly hair, but aren’t sure what kind of brush for extensions is the most suitable one for you, my suggestion would be to go with the round brush.


Its flexibility makes it perfect for any sort of curls, and it won’t pull or tug on your extensions. And as an additional perk, it will increase your hair volume as well.


HAIR EXTENSION PADDLE BRUSH

Its flat, rectangular head makes this specialty brush the best styling brush for extensions. Its broad and massive form is well-suited for the taming of frizz, and producing sleek, well-coiffed results.


THE LIST OF MY 6 MOST RECOMMENDED BRUSHES FOR YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS:

BOAR BRISTLE BRUSH FOR EXTENSIONS

The Boar Bristle Brush by Everlong Hair is one of the best brushes for hair extensions, and my personal favourite. If you ask me, it should be the staple of any self-respecting daily extension care arsenal.


Boar bristles provide an amazing scalp massage which bolsters hair growth by stimulating the follicles. They also distribute the natural oils in your locks throughout the lengths of your hair extensions, making each strand more flexible and resilient to breakage.


You’re also going to fall in love with its ergonomic design. This paddle brush isn’t heavy at all. And its handle grants a comfortable grip that will ensure a smooth and pleasant brushing experience.


Thus, this impressive hair extension detangler brush is a great tool for maintaining the healthy, organic look of your mane.


But when you are purchasing a boar bristle brush for extensions, make sure it has nylon bristles as well. These play a critical role in correctly detangling your root area. However, the nylon bristles shouldn’t have round tips, as these will snag your extension bonds and pull on your natural hair.


DETANGLER HAIR BRUSH for hair extensions

If your goal is to gently and effortlessly maintain a neat look, then this is the product for you. Its superb quality, heat resistance and extra-flexible rubber bristles make this brush suitable for hair extensions. The elasticity of the bristles allows them to bend and snap back with ease, adapting to your hair and minimizing any pain or discomfort you may experience during brushing.


This brush works well for all extension types. It will distribute oil or conditioner evenly throughout the lengths of your strands, and may be used on wet hair during or after a shower.


This is a great hair extension detangler brush for those of you blessed with thick, curly or kinky hair. A notable additional feature allows you to easily adjust the distance between this comb’s bristles to relieve any pressure and save you some time on detangling. So forget about ripping, pulling or tearing out your locks during brushing.


However, despite this brush being safe for all extension methods, avoid using it as your primary tool, as it does have difficulties with the root area tangles.


HAIR EXTENSION LOOP BRUSH

The convenient rubber handle and round paddle of the Hair Shop Black brush are a pure joy to work with. Yet what makes this hands-down the best styling brush for extensions are, of course, the loops. This design may seem loopy (pun not intended), but it allows the bristles to gently glide through your hair from top to tip, causing no harm to the extension bonds.


Hair extension loop brushes such as the Hair Shop Black unravel the knots in your hair painlessly, and work for all types of hair extensions. You may safely use this as your primary brush for snag-free detangling.


HAIR EXTENSION BRUSH: DENMAN

Denman Tangle Tamer Brush will help you win the battle against the toughest tangles and knots! This comb is perfect for both dry and wet hair. It is equally suitable for distributing the natural oils or hair care products throughout your mane evenly, and getting you through the brushing painlessly.


Its dual-length bristles with the air-cushioned pad respond to your head contours gently, making this a very special brush for extensions. You may rest assured that no bond damaging will occur while you are styling your locks.


A well-thought-out design and high usability will make you fall in love with this hair extension brush. Denman doesn’t snap or pull on your hair extensions. To the contrary, it will help revitalize your hair, keep it healthy and even reduce shedding. Could you possibly ask for more of a comb?


DETANGLER BRUSH for hair extensions

BOMBEX Detangler Hairbrush turns knot removal into a fast and smooth procedure, so you don’t have to be overly cautious or spend too much time on, well, detangling. This soft hair extension brush is shower-safe! So feel free to use it on either wet or dry hair, as it works well for all hair extension types.


Another thing that makes BOMBEX Detangler a great hair-extension-safe brush is that it does not rip or pull out your locks. Quite the opposite, it gently stimulates hair growth, minimizing breakage and split ends.


Add its ergonomic design, varying-length PE bristles and an awesome massage feature to the mix, and you’ve got one of the best detangling brushes for extensions on the market. But keep in mind that it isn’t suitable for everyday use, as it won’t untangle your root area when you’ve got extensions in.


ROUND BRUSH FOR HAIR EXTENSIONS

I find that the Number-One Round Hair Brush corresponds to its name - in certain aspects, it is definitely Number One!


Your days of endless hair drying will finally be over with this brush. Rapid heating of the vent-riddled ceramic barrel greatly reduces the time of your mane’s exposure to high temperatures.


Nano-ionic technology has been used in production of the barrel and bristles of this brush, granting it the ability to smoothen frizz and distribute oils throughout extensions evenly, making your hair shine.


In combination with the amazing boar bristles, this will allow you to successfully style that perfect-volume hairdo! But just in case you already own a brush of this kind, please check to make sure that it has nylon or boar fibres (not metal) without ball tips before using it on your hair. If that’s not the case, I highly recommend investing specifically into the kind of product discussed in this article.


Though this is a hair-extension-safe brush, a word of caution is due: you may only use it when your extensions are about 60-70% dry. Otherwise, you may risk pulling on your roots. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may not use this type of tool as your primary brush. Please use it when blow-drying only.


HOW TO BRUSH YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Now that you have picked a brush or several to your liking, it’s time to get brushing! Here are a few simple steps you should follow to ensure you groom your extensions properly and don’t damage your locks.

  • Use a soft hair extension brush with boar bristles as your main brush. Such a brush will smoothly glide through your extensions, effortlessly reducing knots and tangles.

  • Use specialized hair care oil to smoothen your locks and extensions prior to brushing. This will render them sleek and tame enough for easier brushing.

  • Run your fingers through your hair extensions to carefully untangle the toughest knots.

  • Comb your hair extensions gently. Hold the roots with one hand while you brush with the other. This will prevent excessive tension on your roots and extension strand shedding.

  • Begin by brushing your hair tips. Once they are smooth and tangle-free, you may move up higher and higher along the hair lengths, detangling all the way up to the scalp. Always brush in a downward motion, and make sure you comb a short section of the hair at one time. Don’t rush to brush your hair all the way from the scalp to the tips in one go - this will only create more tangles!

  • Brush your hair regularly, at least three times a day. This is one of the best ways to prolong the life of your extensions.

  • Pro tip: always brush your hair before going to sleep. But never when it is soaking wet!


CONCLUSION

As you may have already figured out, hair extensions require a lot of care, especially when it comes to brushing.


Extensions may seem difficult to maintain. But in reality, proper care is much simpler than it may seem! You just need to learn the good practices and turn them into a habit. And, of course, invest into the proper tools for the task.


To reduce the tugs, tangles and damage to the extension bonds or your natural hair, you have to choose a proper brush for the task.


I hope that my article has equipped you with ample knowledge that will aid you in picking the brushes for hair extensions that will best suit your needs.


But I’m curious to know what kind of brush do you like the most, dear reader! Please share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you have found this article helpful and informative, please share it on social media with your friends, and stay tuned for more interesting tips and useful advice.


 

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