Horn combs are useful hair tools for styling and grooming. When used in scalp massage, a horn comb adds to the relaxing benefits of massage and encourages hair health.
Horn Combs
For centuries, many different cultures have used animal horn for hair combs. The natural material creates a gentle but strong comb that glides through hair.
Modern horn combs are usually made out of sheep or ox horn. The horns are usually collected in a cruelty-free manner without any harm to the animal. Craftsmen make the horn into combs by hand and smooth away in sharp edges. Some artisans even create elaborate designs on horn combs, making a functional grooming tool into a work of art.
Many hair care experts, such as long hair care specialist Dr. George Michael, claim that horn combs are one of the best types of combs for hair health. The natural horn material can spread the scalp's natural oil, sebum, through the hair, like a natural bristle brush. However, horn is gentler to hair than a brush because the material does not roughen the cuticle, create static or snag on hair.
Selecting a Horn Comb for Scalp Massage
The horn comb used for grooming may not always be appropriate for scalp massage. Many people with thick, long or curly hair may prefer a wide-tooth horn comb for grooming and styling. Fine-tooth horn or medium-tooth combs are better for scalp massage because the smaller teeth create a gentler scalp massage.
Some people even prefer a small palm-size fine-tooth horn comb for scalp massage because it is easier to use for concentrating on specific areas of the scalp. This is the type of horn comb that the Longhairs Wholistic Hair Studio recommends for their scalp massage technique called "scritching". However, any type of horn comb can still be used for scalp massage.
Select a horn comb with rounded tines. The tines should be free of sharp points. If the tines are square, the points should still be smooth. The entire comb should be smooth with no cracks.
How to Massage the Scalp with a Horn Comb
- Always begin a scalp massage with detangled hair. Make sure that your nails are smooth so that jagged nails do not catch on hair or scratch the scalp.
- First, massage the scalp with your fingers. Use only the pads of your fingertips, not the nails and massage the scalp in circular motions. Massage in small sections. Work your way through the entire scalp. Now your scalp is relaxed and ready for the horn comb.
- Begin massaging near the temples. Hold the horn comb carefully and make gentle back and forth motions scratching motions on a small section of the scalp. Use only light pressure and do not press down with the comb. Repeat this motion at both temples and then gradually work your way down the scalp toward the neck.
- Next, return to the temples area. Move the comb in gentle half circles down the scalp until you reach the neck.
- Return once again to the temples. Comb small sections of scalp, working your way down to the neckline.
- Carefully run the comb through your hair from roots to tips to spread the sebum throughout the hair for conditioning benefits. If the horn comb is too fine for combing, use a wide-tooth or medium-tooth comb to comb hair.
Horn combs can improve scalp massages due to both the conditioning benefits and the stimulating feel of the horn material.
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