11 Hair Growth Secrets from India's Longest-Haired Communities

7. Wooden combs and gentle detangling

The tool you use matters. Wooden combs are staples in many households because they have wider teeth and a smoother finish that causes less static and snagging compared with some plastic combs. A common practice is to detangle from the ends upward, easing knots gently rather than pulling from the root. Regular, careful combing distributes natural oils from the scalp down the hair shaft, helping lengths stay nourished. If hair is wet, many people wait until it’s partially dry before detangling or use a wide-tooth comb designed for wet hair to avoid excessive breakage. Avoiding aggressive brushing and choosing soft, broad-tooth tools helps preserve fragile strands. These small changes in daily handling prevent split ends and keep long hair intact for longer stretches of time.