If you’ve noticed that your hair is thinning, you may have started stocking up on products to help thicken it. That, of course, could include a new hairbrush that's gentle on your strands and scalp. After all, the right brush can help detangle your 'do with little risk of breakage or irritation.
“While brushes don’t play any major role in managing thinning hair, they can create a healthier environment to reduce inflammation and reduce tension on the hair strands that could exacerbate thinning hair,” explains William Gaunitz, a certified trichologist and the founder of Advanced Trichology.
With that being said, a hairbrush isn't the one and only answer to keeping your hair thick and thriving, but it can certainly help.
Shop TODAY tapped trichologists to learn all about the best brushes for thinning hair regarding their benefits, bristle type and best practices (including the steps to follow during brush time and how often the brushes should be used).
Once your hair and scalp start benefiting from using one or more of these trichologist- and editor-recommended brushes, you’ll want to have one by your side wherever you go.
What type of hairbrush is best for thinning hair?
To keep thinning hair as healthy as possible, make sure you’re using the best type of brush compatible with thin hair. You should also keep in mind that there's a difference between thin hair and fine hair.
"Fine hair describes the texture of each individual strand, while thin hair refers to how much hair is present overall," Hannah Oh, a celebrity hairstylist, previously told Shop TODAY.
Jenna Binette, a certified Maine-based trichologist and owner of TRIKHOS hair lab, notes that brushes designed for thinning hair both promote scalp circulation (which can encourage hair growth) and are gentle detanglers.
With this in mind, “the best type of brush to help support a healthy scalp and hair growth is a natural boar hairbrush with firm tensile and wider spacing between bristles,” adds Gaunitz.
Best hairbrushes for thinning hair, according to experts and editors
With a price tag of less than $10, Gaunitz recommends this boar bristle paddle brush from Urtheone. “This would be for someone who’s got thinning hair but also a more diffuse pattern with potentially longer strands,” says Gaunitz. “The flat brush can handle longer hair but also still helps spread sebum evenly across the scalp, which will help exfoliate and heal the scalp.”
When it comes to detangling, Kerry E. Yates, trichologist and founder of Colour Collective, recommends this detangler brush from Tangle Teezer.
“The brush has an ergonomic shape and rounded bristles for easy scalp massaging,” says Yates. "It’s ideal when used on wet hair and designed to be used in conjunction with shampoo to also support dandruff challenges.”
Jess Bender, deputy managing editor at Shop TODAY, also recommends this brush. She says, "I didn't realize how much my brush was affecting my hair until I made the switch to a proper detangler. Prior to introducing this brush to my daily rotation, I would often just settle for frizziness and regular breakage by the end. But within just a few uses, I noticed a change in appearance thanks to how easy it is to comb through my tresses (no tugging here!) and how gentle the teeth feel around my scalp."
Amanda Fama, an editor at Shop TODAY, calls this her “new favorite detangling brush.” She says, “I have thick, wavy hair that tangles easily. When I use the wrong hairbrush, a lot of my hair comes out and gets stuck in the bristles. I’ve been afraid that this will eventually cause hair thinning, but this brush has helped tremendously.”
She continues, “Whether my hair is damp or dry, it glides through my strands seamlessly and without any pain. The flexible design helps prevent tugging, and I can tell that less hair gets stuck in the gentle bristles. I actually have this brush in a few colors and keep one on my vanity and in my purse.”
Binette recommends this hairbrush from Manta, especially if you plan on using it for regular scalp massages. “Ideal for shampoo massaging, this brush features flexible bristles that minimize breakage during detangling and promote scalp health,” explains Binette.
Despite its nearly $55 price tag, Binette notes that this boar bristle hairbrush is worth the investment. “Known for enhancing shine, this brush distributes oil from the scalp down the strands,” says Binette. “It improves circulation, stimulates hair follicles, and helps minimize buildup and dandruff.”
We also can’t forget to mention that its 8.5-by-2.4-inch dimensions make it suitable for traveling, as it can easily fit in most small-to-medium-sized bags.
"I never thought I'd be in the market for a $72 brush, but this detangling offering from Bur Bur is one of the best ones I've ever used," explains Bender. "It does exactly as it markets with removing any lingering knots, but its nylon bristles also smoothes out my strands without leaving any frizz (a problem I've come across with pretty much every other brush I've used). The overall appearance is also very "adult" with its polished beech wood handle that feels oh, so good in my hand."
If you’re looking for a brush for thinning hair that is suitable for hair styling, consider this one from Crown Affair. Hill notes that this beechwood brush’s smooth fine boar fibers make it good for styling while treating and stimulating the scalp.
Just make sure to note that this brush is not recommended to be used on wet hair which may not make it the most suitable pick if you want a brush for as soon as you hop out of the shower.
"While it is a splurge, this Mason Pearson hair brush is so worth the price," raves editorial assistant Madison San Miguel. "Our hair is delicate, especially fine hair like mine, so the soft boar bristles are extremely gentle while I'm brushing. It can be used on dry or wet hair to detangle, and has natural oils that help exfoliate the scalp and add shine to your locks, too! Healthy hair means investing!!"
What causes hair thinning?
There are many different causes of hair thinning. Bridgette Hill, a certified trichologist at The Scalp Thermaist, says it's important to note that the causes of hair thinning can be mechanical (improperly using a hair tool, product, chemical service, etc.) or internal (hormone fluctuations, age, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, etc.).
Dermatologist Dr. Cameron K. Rokhsar previously told Shop TODAY, "From an internal medicine point of view, there are many abnormalities (which we can find through a simple blood test) that can cause hair loss." A few abnormalities Rokhsar noted include low iron, anemia, hypothyroidism and sex hormone changes.
“It is important to figure out the cause of your hair thinning when creating a treatment plan,” adds Binette.
With that being said, if you're experiencing hair loss, it's best to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
If you have thinning hair, Hill and Binnette note that you should aim to have your hair in contact with a brush for at least four minutes daily.
Although not using a brush designed for thinning hair will likely be okay on occasion for the short term, you should strive to use the right type of brush as often as possible.
“Using a brush that isn’t designed for thinning hair can potentially cause more damage, leading to breakage,” says Binette. “While it may not worsen thinning at the root, fragile strands are more susceptible to breaking if the brush is too abrasive.”
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How we chose
To compile our list of the best brushes for thinning hair, we considered the recommendations provided by the trichologists we interviewed. We also included editor-favorite detangling brushes that may help prevent hair thinning.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on hairbrushes for thinning hair. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Jenna Binette is a certified Maine-based trichologist and owner of TRIKHOS hair lab.
- William Gaunitz, FWTS, is a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology.
- Bridgette Hill is certified trichologist at The Scalp Thermaist.
- Kerry E. Yates is a trichologist and founder of Colour Collective.
- Dr. Cameron K. Rokhsar, MD, is the founder and medical director of New York Cosmetic, Skin & Laser Surgery Center. He's also a New York City-based laser surgeon and double board-certified dermatologist.'
- Hanna Oh is the owner of 821 West Salon in Chicago. She's also a celebrity hairstylist.
