So… Should You Really Brush Your Hair 100 Strokes Every Night?

You’ve probably heard it: “Brush your hair 100 strokes before bed for shiny, luscious locks.” Cue the image of a Victorian lady in a silky nightgown, brushing away like she’s auditioning for a shampoo commercial.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to turn your nightly routine into an arm workout to have great hair. In fact, too much brushing can do more harm than good. Let’s spill the tea (or… hair oil?) on this beauty myth—and talk about what actually makes hair strong and healthy for everyone, no matter your hair type.

Where Did the 100-Stroke Myth Even Come From? 

This tip goes way back to the days when people didn’t wash their hair very often (think once a week… or less—yikes!). Back then, brushing was the best way to move natural scalp oils (sebum) down the hair shaft to keep it soft and shiny.

Fast forward to today: we’ve got conditioners, hair oils, and dry shampoo. So unless you’re living in the 1800s, you really don’t need 100 nightly strokes to have shiny hair.

What Brushing Actually Does (When You Don’t Go Overboard) 

✅ It Spreads Natural Oils

A few gentle strokes can give your hair a natural sheen by moving scalp oils where they belong—on your strands, not just your roots.

✅ It Massages Your Scalp

A good brush can give your scalp a mini-massage, boosting circulation (feels nice, too!).

✅ It Removes Shed Hair

We lose about 50–100 hairs a day. Brushing just clears out the strays so they don’t end up on your pillow—or worse, stuck to your lip gloss.

But before you go full Rapunzel on your hair…

Why 100 Strokes Can Actually Damage Your Hair 

❌ Breakage City

Every stroke adds friction. Multiply that by 100, and you’re basically sanding your hair cuticle. Hello, split ends.

❌ Scalp Drama

Brushing too hard or too often can irritate your scalp, making it flaky or oily.

❌ Curly Hair’s Worst Nightmare

If your hair is curly, coily, or textured, 100 strokes on dry hair = frizz, tangles, and maybe even tears.

❌ It Won’t Make Your Hair Grow Faster

Sorry, but brushing doesn’t magically make hair grow. Proper nutrition and scalp health matter way more.

So… Should You Brush at Night? 

Yes, but be smart about it:

• Straight or wavy hair: A few light strokes (10–20 max!) with a boar-bristle or mixed-bristle brush is plenty.
• Curly or coily hair: Detangle when wet with conditioner and use fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Skip dry brushing.
• Fine or thinning hair: Be extra gentle—your hair is delicate, not a rug that needs scrubbing.

The Real Secret to Strong, Healthy Hair (Across All Hair Types) 

Forget the 100-stroke ritual. Here’s what actually works:

1. Feed Your Hair Like You Love It 

Healthy hair starts in the kitchen. Load up on:

• Protein (eggs, beans, lean meats) – hair’s building blocks.
• Omega-3s (salmon, chia seeds, walnuts) – keep your scalp hydrated.
• Vitamins & minerals – biotin, B vitamins, zinc, and iron all support growth.

2. Be Nice to Wet Hair

Wet hair = fragile hair. Use a wide-tooth comb or fingers to detangle, and ditch rough towels—dab with a microfiber towel or even a soft T-shirt.

3. Heat & Chemicals? Chill Out 

Flat irons, blow dryers, bleach… they’re fun, but too much equals breakage. Use a heat protectant and space out chemical treatments.

4. Wash Smarter, Not Harder

• Straight/fine hair: Every 1–2 days.
• Curly/coily hair: Once or twice a week to keep natural oils happy.
• Everyone: Use sulfate-free shampoos and condition religiously.

5. Love Your Scalp 

Think of your scalp as a garden—healthy soil = healthy growth. Try:

• Scalp massages to boost circulation.
• Light oils (argan or jojoba) for dryness.
• Clarifying shampoo once a month if you use a lot of styling products.

6. Protect Your Hair While You Sleep

• Silk or satin pillowcases = less friction and frizz.
• Loose braids or buns keep tangles away.

7. Get Regular Trims 

No, trims don’t make hair grow faster, but they stop split ends from traveling up the hair shaft and ruining your good hair day.

8. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job

Weekly deep-conditioning masks or leave-in conditioners keep strands soft and strong. A few drops of argan or coconut oil can work wonders.

The Bottom Line?

You can skip the nightly 100-stroke hair ritual and save your arm muscles for something better (like holding a latte). Gentle brushing, good nutrition, and smart hair habits beat old-school beauty myths every time.

Your hair will thank you—whether it’s long and straight, bouncy and curly, thick, thin, or somewhere in between.