These Hair Brushes Help Your Hair Grow in Faster and Thicker

No matter how quickly your hair grows out of your scalp, you won’t see the length increase if the ends keep breaking off. One of the culprits behind breakage could be a hair brush that’s too harsh or brushing too hard while your hair is wet and fragile. Using a gentle boar bristle brush like this one to detangle, break up buildup, and spread your skin’s natural oils (while your hair is dry, of course) is ideal when trying to grow out your hair.

Bristles: 100 percent boar hair

Crown Affair rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Crown Affair reviewer says: “I purchased my No. 003 brush two weeks ago, and don’t know how I lived without it. It seriously leaves my hair silky after the first brush, detangles my thin hair with minimal breakage, and almost completely gets rid of frizz. It’s crazy! Definitely worth the cost, and the quality is insanely good as well.”

If you don’t like the idea of using an actual boar bristle brush, Dr. Camp recommends this one as an alternative. “Made with vegan boar-like bristles, this styling and detangling brush can be used on dry and wet hair,” he says. The bristles are firm enough to encourage blood flow in the scalp yet gentle enough to avoid causing breakage or damage to even fine hair.

Bristles: 100 percent vegan materials

Dae rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Dae reviewer says: “I love this brush! I have previously used wet brushes that have regular bristles, but after using my sister-in-law’s boar bristle brush, I knew I needed to order this since it was a combo of both. I have hand-tied extensions that get matted easily, and this detangles it so easily. I do wish the brush was slightly larger, but it’s not that much of an issue. The other thing I’ve noticed is the minimal hair loss I have with this brush. After using it for two weeks, there is practically no buildup of my hair in the brush, so I think it is definitely helping me avoid damage and promote growth.”

I’d be remiss if I forgot to mention Mason Pearson brushes—mine is one of my most prized possessions, and I’m determined to make it an heirloom within my family. “While more expensive than most hair brushes, this iconic brush is composed of boar hair in an oval-shaped brush that is suitable for use on sensitive scalps and those with fine hair,” Dr. Camp explains. The brush is a pro at distributing the scalp’s natural oils down the hair shaft, stimulating blood flow in the scalp and strengthening your strands in the process.

Bristles: 100 percent boar hair

Neiman Marcus rating: 5/5 stars

A Neiman Marcus reviewer says: “At first, I had thought this brush would injure my scalp, but with continued use and not getting too heavy handed, I have found it to be excellent and perfect. The severe shedding has stopped, and my scalp feels great. Can’t say enough about this brush—surely worth the cost.”

French-made brand La Bonne Brosse landed stateside just last year, and it’s already been getting lots of love from editors (including me). There’s just something about the playful yet luxe design of the handmade brushes that draws you in, and there are also a multitude of beautiful colors to choose from. The best part is that the more you use it, the shinier your hair will look, and you may even find yourself needing to shampoo less frequently, since your scalp won’t be so overloaded with sebum.

Bristles: 100 percent boar hair

The Detox Market rating: 5/5 stars

A The Detox Market reviewer says: “I look forward to brushing my hair! It feels great, and my stylist noticed a difference without me saying a thing. She said my hair looked incredibly healthy and shiny.”

Made with olive wood and carefully selected boar bristles, this may be the most beautiful brush I’ve ever seen. When you hold it in your hand, you can tell that it was designed and constructed with great care. It’s something I love seeing on my vanity and incorporating into my beauty rituals. But it’s not just a pretty product—when used properly to massage the scalp, it encourages hair retention and new growth. In fact, in a four-week clinical study, 85 percent of participants noticed a visible reduction in hair loss and breakage.

Bristles: 100 percent boar hair

Bloomingdale’s rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Bloomingdale’s reviewer says: “As someone with hair that gets greasy the same day I wash it, I approve of this brush! I followed the instructions of 25 brushes per day forward, sideways, and backward, which yielded amazing results. The boar bristles are effective at evenly distributing hair oils throughout, and it also massages the scalp, which feels very relaxing. I have been able to go two to three days without washing my hair, which is a big deal for me. I must also say that this packaging and carrying case is so cute.”