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13 Best Brushes for Thinning Hair to Prevent Hair Loss

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If you’re suffering from hair loss, there are plenty of products you can try to help stimulate growth. The simplest, however, just may be a new brush. Believe it or not, the best brushes for thinning hair can give you back the volume and thickness you’ve been missing in your life.

As common as it may be for menopausal women to experience hair thinning (the Hair Society says the condition affects roughly 21 million women), many continue to use their same old brushes they’ve used for years in a move that can easily exacerbate the problem. Thin hair requires a special type of brush — as we’ve outlined below.

Best Deals on Brushes for Thinning Hair:

What are the best brushes for thinning hair?

What hair brush is best for thinning hair? 

When buying hair brushes for thin hair, you should pay special attention to bristle material, brush size, and shape. 

Finding a soft brush bristle made from natural materials is definitely in your best interest. Boar bristle brushes are popular because they won’t tear or split your hair. They’re also thought to increase blood flow to the hair follicles, which in turn stimulates growth. 

When it comes to size, go for a smaller brush that can work closer to the root to create more volume. Small brushes work well with any hair type and length, but are ideal for short hair that lacks oomph

As for brush shape, round or vented brushes make it easy to bulk hair up while blow-drying. Even better, go for a vented round brush, which has holes in the center to allow heat to pass through. This makes it easier to get lift when blow-drying, and lift equates to big volume. 

Is brushing bad for thinning hair?

Like many things in life, going overboard can sometimes have negative effects, and brushing one’s hair too often — and too roughly! — can do more harm than good. Excess brushing can lead to breakage and even hair loss, so you’ll want to keep that in mind to help maintain strong, healthy locks.

That said, there are ways to brush your hair while keeping it healthy. Gently brushing with the right tools for your hair type is perfectly fine, and even encouraged, as long as you don’t overdo it. Rather than vigorously brushing throughout the day, try limiting it to only when it’s truly necessary — and resist the urge to pull and tug at pesky snarls! Brushes with boar bristles are often recommended for thinner hair, as the bristles are actually quite similar to human hair, allowing them to distribute the scalp’s oils and glide through the hair more easily. We love the classic Mason Pearson Handy Bristle Brush ($233.75, Saks Fifth Avenue), which has been crafted with premium-grade boar bristles for over a century.

It’s also recommended that you try to avoid brushing your hair when wet whenever possible, though for those times when it’s unavoidable, we found a gentle brush that works wonders on wet hair ($95, Violet Grey). Finally, you want to be sure you keep your hair brush clean in the right way — dirty bristles can hasten fall-out.

In addition to the right brush, there are dozens of products you can use to give you the appearance of thick, voluminous locks. Hair-thickening shampoos cause the hair shaft to swell, which in turn can make each strand appear fuller. A hair-thickening spray, like this Tea Tree Lemon Sage shampoo from Paul Mitchell ($18, Amazon) will coat the shaft with tiny particles of powder to give the appearance of heftier strands. But it all starts with the brush: Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s picks for the best hair brushes for thinning hair.

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Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

13 Best Brushes for Thinning Hair

Mason Pearson Handy Bristle Brush

Best boar bristle Brush For Thinning Hair
Mason Pearson brush
Saks Fifth Avenue

Buy from Saks Fifth Avenue, $275

Why we like it:

  • Exfoliates the scalp
  • Distributes the natural oils
  • Patented pneumatic cushion

Mason Pearson’s boar bristle brush is the crème de la crème of luxurious hair brushes. At $233, it’s definitely a splurge, but the special rubber pad that cushions the bristles allows you to comb through your tresses with ease without worrying about ripping out nearby hairs — a huge plus for those with sensitive scalps. This brush was developed over 100 years ago, and to this day, it’s made with cruelty-free, premium-grade boar bristles that are ideal for finer hair textures. (Also available at QVC.)

Fans of this brush say it’s well worth the hefty price tag, and that it’s designed to last for years on end.

Raincry Restore Large Reinforced Brush

Best brush for fine damaged hair
best brushes for thinning hair
Dermstore
Save $15!

Buy from Saks Fifth Avenue, $100

Why we like it:

  • Ideal for use on all hair types, including extensions
  • Features reinforced boar bristles
  • Pneumatic cushion stimulates blood flow and exfoliates the scalp

Fine hair is more prone to breaking and damage, which is why it’s important to find a brush that won’t add to the problem. We like this reinforced brush from Raincry, which features dual boar and plastic bristles to add shine and gently detangle the hair. Those of us with thinner hair can also experience dry, brittle hair, which this brush helps remedy by evenly distributing the scalp’s natural oils for more luscious-looking locks. The reinforced boar bristles also get to the “root” of our hair woes by removing excess oils and products for a healthier, lighter feel and appearance. (You can also purchase the Raincry Restore from Dermstore.)

One reviewer who purchased this brush in hopes that it would help with scalp issues and hair health says she wishes she had purchased it a long time ago, and that it’s “beautifully made.”

GranNaturals Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Best Paddle Brush for Thinning Hair
Best Brush For Thinning Hair
Amazon
43% off!

Buy from Amazon, $12.99 (originally $22.95)

Why we like it:

  • Massages the scalp and stimulates blood flow
  • Prevents oil build-up
  • Naturally conditions hair

Boar bristle brushes, like this paddle brush from GranNaturals, help to distribute your scalp’s natural oils from root to tip, so your strands always look healthy instead of dry and dull. It’s also gentle enough for everyday use, which is a good thing, since using it can increase blood flow to the scalp to encourage hair to grow longer and thicker. 

More than 2,000 people gave this brush a five-star rating on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why. One reviewer in her 70s said it’s helped bring her dull, limp hair back to life, while another happy customer with “baby fine hair” said it’s so soft that she no longer experiences breakage.

Spornette DeVille Cushion Boar Brush

Best Brush for Thinning Damaged Hair 
Best Hairbrush For Thin Fragile Hair
Amazon
22% off!

Buy from Amazon, $31

Why we like it:

  • Porcupine bristles help control thin, flyaway hair
  • Cushion helps prevent breakage
  • Distributes your hair’s natural oils

Are you sensing a boar bristle brush trend here? This model from Spornette DeVille can be used for blowouts, but it’s also a great everyday brush for all hair types. A protective rubber cushion absorbs the shock of brushing to prevent painful pulling and tugging, and the combination of boar bristles with ball-tipped nylon bristles makes this a double-duty tool that is a great addition to any hair regimen.

One pleased reviewer said this brush is soft and gentle on the hair, while also strong enough to stimulate the scalp, and that it adds much-needed volume to her thin hair.

Christophe Robin Boar Bristle Detangling Paddle Hairbrush

Best detangling brush for thinning hair
best brushes for thinning hair
Sephora
Great deal!

Buy from Look Fantastic, $77

Why we like it:

  • Made with 100% natural, cruelty-free boar bristles
  • Gently detangles hair
  • Works with all hair types and textures

This 100 percent natural boar bristle brush from Christophe Robin is our pick when it comes to gently detangling thinning hair. Less aggressive than other types of bristles, these multi-length boar bristles are designed to reach every strand as you brush for a smoother, softer look and feel. And because boar bristles are similar to human hair in their structure and make-up, they’re great at distributing the scalp’s natural oils to help hydrate the hair and remove excess grease from the roots.

Satisfied users love how delicate and gentle this brush is with their hair, and some even say it’s so good at keeping their scalps from feeling greasy that they don’t have to wash their hair as often!

Wet Brush Epic Pro Blowout Brush

Best Blowout Brush for Thinning Hair 
Best Hair Brushes For Thinning Hair For Blowouts
ULTA
39% off!

Buy from Amazon, $22.60

Why we like it:

  • IntelliFlex bristles are super thin, strong, and flexible
  • Works for any hair type
  • Prevents hair breakage and pain

Because of the holes in the center of this brush, hot air can move through its body, which makes it easier to create volume when blow-drying. Hair salon owner Eric Goss gave it his professional stamp of approval, and thanks to its flexible bristles with SofTips for effortless detangling, it’s easy to see why.

The Yves Durif Brush

Best wet brush for thin hair
best brushes for thinning hair
Violet Grey
Great deal!

Buy from Violet Grey, $95

Why we like it:

  • Gentle enough for wet hair
  • Made from Italian resin
  • Includes a velour travel pouch

Not only does this Yves Durif brush look luxe, it’ll have your hair feeling like a million bucks, too! Made from Italian resin, this brush is safe for both wet and dry hair, and can even be used while showering to help distribute shampoo and other hair products more evenly. Brushing very wet hair can lead to more breakage, so it’s best to make sure hair is free of tangles while it’s dry, prior to showering, to ensure any big knots are taken care of beforehand. The retailer also recommends brushing starting at the tips and working up to the roots, which will prevent pulling and tugging — a gentle touch is key! Because it’s made without glue, it’s also ideal for smoothing the hair during heat styling, and its included velour pouch makes it great for packing on trips.

One hairstylist loves that it’s both lightweight and sturdy, and calls it “essential” for wet hair brushing. Others say it’s great for detangling wet hair without tugging, and that it works really well for thinner hair.

Drybar Flat Mate Boar Bristle Brush

Best hair brush to prevent breakage
best brushes for thinning hair
Drybar
Great deal!

Buy from Sephora, $85

Buy from QVC, $85

Why we like it:

  • Made with cruelty-free boar bristles
  • Works with all hair types and textures
  • Helps manage frizz and maintain shine

There are many factors that can contribute to hair breakage — dyes, heat, and even the type of shampoo we use — but finding the right brush can help prevent further damage. The pros at Drybar know what they’re doing when it comes to fabulous blowouts, so it’s only natural they would create a boar bristle brush to have your hair feeling (and looking) its best. The perfect combination of gentle with just a bit of tension for getting through all types of hair, this cruelty-free brush massages the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles for stronger, smoother hair, whether you’re rocking straight locks, curls, or anything in between!

One happy customer said she had noticeably smoother hair after just one week of use, while others love that the boar bristles massage the scalp without scratching or irritating.

Wet Brush Pro Epic Quick Dry 

Best Brush for Thinning Curly Hair
Best brush For Thinning Curly Hair
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $19.99

Why we like it:

  • Works on wet or dry hair
  • OmniFlex brush head flexes in every direction to contour to scalp
  • Heat resistant to 450 degrees

Despite its name, this popular brush works well on both wet and dry hair. The Wet Brush is able to painlessly detangle even the curliest of hair thanks to its IntelliFlex bristles, which won’t place unnecessary pressure by pulling or tugging — a major bonus for ladies with thinning locks. 

With over 7,000 five-star ratings, this brush is a sure-fire Amazon hit. Reviewers love everything from its seemingly magical taming effect on unruly curls, to the fact that it easily glides through hair like butter.

Olivia Garden Ceramic and Ion Thermal Brush

Best Ceramic Brush for Thinning Hair
Best Hairbrush For Thin Fine Hair
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $24.95

Why we like it:

  • Use on wet or dry hair
  • Faster styling
  • Ion-charged bristles hydrate hair cuticle

Another easy-to-use round brush for adding add volume is this Olivia Garden ceramic and ion thermal brush. It’s available in three sizes, so you can add as much height as you’d like. The vented barrel design, which features holes in the center shaft, makes for fast and even drying. 

One reviewer with thin hair raved about the fact that her hair never gets stuck in this brush — not an easy feat, which those of us with fine, quick-to-tangle hair know all too much about!

Cortex Professional Boar Brush

Best round Brush For Thinning Hair
best brush for thinning hair

Buy from Amazon, $19.95

Why we like it:

  • Provides scalp stimulation
  • Promotes hair health
  • Different sizes and diameters

This professional-grade boar bristle brush works wonders for thin hair. Its sturdy handle makes it easy to grip during your morning blow-dry, and the large round barrel is perfect for adding volume throughout. Best of all, it’s safe for use with all hair types — including wigs, weaves, and extensions!

Many reviewers love that this firm, yet gentle brush doesn’t hurt their scalp, and that its shape and size are great for blow-drying.

Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Best vegan boar bristle brush for thinning hair
best brushes for thinning hair
Sephora

Buy from Sephora, $28

Why we like it:

  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Great for all hair types and textures
  • Can be used for wet or dry hair

Not only is this vegan boar bristle brush cruelty-free, it also delivers the same detangling and smoothing action as the real deal, so you can feel great about using it without sacrificing quality. Whether your hair is curly or straight, it’ll feel and look healthier after using this lightweight brush, thanks to its gentle bristles and soft ballpoint tips, which help massage the scalp to evenly distribute oils for a shiny glow. Oh, and you can also use this brush on wet or dry hair, so it’s a real two-in-one!

Reviewers praise this brush for both its detangling and softening properties, and many say it’s much less painful than their previous brushes.

Sephora Collection Mini Gloss Dual Boar Bristle Brush

Best travel size brush for thinning hair
best brushes for thin hair
Sephora

Buy from Sephora, $6 (was $15)

Why we like it:

  • Only $15!
  • Features a combination of boar and plastic bristles
  • Compact size

We all could use a little brush we can pack up easily for trips, or even just to stash in our handbags for everyday on-the-go primping. This Mini Gloss Dual Boar Bristle Brush from Sephora is the perfect compact size for travel, and at just $15, it’s a total steal. Unlike your typical basic mini brush, this two-in-one product features both boar bristles for smoothing and shining, as well as plastic bristles for detangling — it does it all! We’re also fans of the pretty rose gold hue, which will add a chic pop of color to your travel bag.

Fans of this brush say the bristles help evenly distribute oils through the hair and away from the scalp (bye, greasy roots!), and that it’s a great value considering how soft it leaves their hair feeling.

More brushes for thinning hair we love>

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