Handmade Combs for Hair
Anyone interested in improving the condition of her hair should consider a handmade comb. Handmade combs can prevent the gradual styling damage that many manufactured combs inflict. Some handmade combs also aid in the conditioning of hair. Find out about how handmade combs benefit hair.
Types of Handmade Combs
Handmade combs come in many different materials and designs. Handcrafted combs are available in the following materials:
- Cellulose acetate
- Horn
- Wood
- Resin
Cellulose acetate is a type of smooth plastic. Artisans cut sheets of cellulose acetate and shape the comb by hand. Cellulose combs are better than manufactured plastic combs because they do not have seams on the tips and or any sharp edges.
The cellulose acetate also does not generate static like manufactured combs during styling. Popular brands include Creative Products, Mason Pearson and Kent.
Here is a good affordable and cruelty-free option from Cebra available on Amazon.com!
Horn combs are made of animal horn, usually from sheep and ox. Reputable horn comb manufacturers collect without harming the animal. The natural material has the ability to distribute natural scalp oil or sebum through the hair. The comb fluffs the hair, adding body similar to the effect of a brush.
Well-made horn combs should not have sharp tips or rough surfaces. Heavenly Harvest Inc. and the Louise Marie Longhairs salon sell horn combs in a variety of designs.
Wood combs can also distribute natural oils through hair, like horn combs. A quality wood comb is smooth, with no splintering. However, some people have experienced splinters from wood combs. Creative Products and Sierra Legacy sell wood combs.
Resin combs are known as “bone combs”, modeled after ancient bone combs used centuries ago. Many hairstylists prefer this comb because it works well with heat styling wet hair. The resin combs are also good at building up body in the hair. Hair Sense.com and Nubone are popular resin bone comb brands.
Use the comb with the scalp oil serum to stimulate hair growth. We love Shiny Leaf Organic Castor Oil For Hair Growth.
Benefits of Handmade Combs
Handmade combs are useful in both hair grooming and styling. Combs made out of horn, cellulose acetate, wood and resin do not create static in hair. Since artisans shape each comb by hand, the combs are free of seams, jagged edges or anything that hair can catch on. These materials allow the comb to glide through hair without ripping the strands.
Handmade combs can replace brushes for styling because they can serve all the same purposes. For example, a person can use a wide-tooth horn comb to detangle hair and add shine by distributing natural oils through the hair shaft. She then takes a medium-tooth horn comb to shape her hair into a style. Next, she smoothes the hair with a fine-tooth horn comb.
Affordable handmade combs are available. The price varies depending on the brand and craftsmanship. Most handmade combs range in price from $12 to $60. Collectible handmade combs with extra artistic details can cost as much as $300.
How to Care for Handmade Combs
Handmade combs can last for a lifetime and even generations, if cared for properly. Remove shed hair from combs after every use. Clean the combs about once a week or as needed. Clean handmade combs made out of cellulose acetate or resin with a mild soap or shampoo and rinse with water. Clean and moisturize horn and wood combs with the appropriate oil. Horn requires lanolin. Natural oils like jojoba oil work for cleaning wood combs. Never use water on horn or wood combs.
Store handmade combs in a dry place such as the top of a dresser or in a drawer. Keep horn and wood comb in a cloth pouch to retain moisture and to prevent dust from collecting on the oiled combs.
