15 MP3: The Hair Brush

Jordan Gates

English 101

Jonathan Lashley

27 April 2024

The Hair Brush: Tangled Hair Needs a Brush

In the realm of personal grooming, few objects hold as much significance as the humble hairbrush. The hairbrush serves as a vessel for exploration into cultural practices, societal norms, and individual identity. Hairbrushes may seem like a mundane and insignificant tool in our daily lives, but they play a significant role in maintaining the health and appearance of our hair. In this essay, I will make a persuasive argument as to why people should care more about hair brushes. Delving into its historical roots, its significance, and the rhetorical forces that shape its role in everyday life.

The hairbrush is a grooming tool typically composed of bristles attached to a handle, designed to detangle, style, and maintain the hair’s appearance. While its basic form has remained consistent over the centuries, variations in materials and design have changed brushes for the better. Different types of hairbrushes are designed for different hair types and textures.  My hair is thicker than most but a trusty brush helps me maintain my mane! In an article from In Style, it mentions, “Simply put, there’s a different brush for every curl pattern, hair type, and styling preference”. Which shows the vast variety of hair brushes. With so many brushes, which one do you use. Well, in the article, What Type of Hairbrush is Best for Your Hair, says, “A soft bristle brush is best for thinning hair because it’s gentle and won’t rip out your hair”. There are so many different brushes and by using the appropriate hairbrush for our specific hair type, we can prevent damage and promote healthy hair growth. I use a hairbrush almost every day to keep my curls in check and healthy.

We know that brushing your hair can have some health benefits but other than that what’s the point? Well, media representations, celebrity trends, and advertising campaigns often promote certain hair textures, styles, and colors as desirable, shaping perceptions of beauty and attractiveness. You may see that your favorite celebrity is launching hair care products on TikTok and suddenly you need new hair care. The haircare industry capitalizes on these cultural narratives to promote products and services tailored to specific demographic groups. As such, the hairbrush becomes a tool for conformity. It may sound awful to those who would want to blindly follow the media but hairbrushes can also be used for resistance to these prevailing standards, empowering individuals to express their unique identity and personal style. Advertising campaigns often employ persuasive techniques such as emotional appeal, social proof, and celebrity endorsement to influence consumer behavior and shape perceptions of beauty. However, with a good hairbrush you are able to decide exactly how you want your hair. Whether you style it like Ariana Grande or you make up your own cool hair do. Now not everyone is focused on the media or even the look of their hair. Some use the hairbrush for their cultural beliefs.

Beyond its practical utility, the act of brushing one’s hair can carry deeper cultural and social connotations. In some cultures, hair grooming rituals hold spiritual significance, symbolizing purification, renewal, or connection to ancestral traditions. Moreover, the appearance and styling of hair can communicate social status, identity, and belonging within various communities. In the article “A Quick History of Hair Brushes” by Britgitte the owner of Brigit Brushes mentions, “As society grew and became more civilized, the need for a hairbrush was more for aesthetics, rather than for general grooming, but it still remained in favor for the wealthy.” Nowadays just about everyone owns a brush. Even if everyone owns a brush it has a grand purpose for everyone. If we take a trip back in time people had a purpose for the hairbrush long before you or I were born.

The origins of the hairbrush can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where combs made from natural materials such as bone, wood, or plant fibers were used to groom and style hair. In an article by Live True under “Hairbrushes: An Age-Old Companion” says, “While the precise date of the very first hairbrush remains a mystery, we do know that early forms of hairbrushes have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back to around 5000 BC.” That is about 7,023 years ago! Over time of course, the design and construction of hairbrushes evolved, with the introduction of metal, plastic, and synthetic bristles expanding the range of available options. In the modern era, advancements in manufacturing processes have enabled mass production of hairbrushes, making them accessible to a global audience.

With such mass production of hairbrushes, I myself have begun to forget their significance. Despite the importance of hairbrushes, many people tend to overlook them and underestimate their impact on hair health. Some may view hairbrushes as a basic grooming tool that does not require much attention or consideration. However, this mindset can lead to neglect and ultimately result in hair damage and dullness. Which is why I have begun to shed light on the hairbrushes’ significance. “The Benefits of Hair Brushing and How to Do It Properly” explains multiple good reasons why brushing your hair is important but one incredibly good reason is, “Brushing your hair gently is like a mini massage that stimulates your scalp, which, according to De Marco, encourages blood flow and hair growth.” By caring more about hairbrushes and investing in high-quality ones, we can improve the health and appearance of our hair in the long run.

In conclusion, the hairbrush is an object with cultural significance, social meaning, and personal identity. Its evolution from a simple grooming tool to a symbol of beauty, self-expression, and cultural heritage reflects the complexity of historical, social, and technological forces shaping our perceptions of personal grooming and aesthetic ideals. Caring more about hairbrushes is essential for maintaining healthy and beautiful hair. By using the right brush for our hair type, we can prevent damage, improve appearance, and promote overall hair health. By acknowledging the impact of hairbrushes and investing in quality tools, we can elevate our hair care routine and achieve the desired results.

Sources Cited

Brigitte. “The History of Hair Brushes • Brigitte’s Brushes.” Brigitte’s Brushes, 2 June 2020, brigittesbrushes.com/the-history-of-hair-brushes/.

Gallagher, Grace. “Hairbrush Types and How to Use Them Based on Hair Type.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 5 Nov. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/hair-brush-types#for-thinning-hair.

Halpern, Linne. “We Tested 25 Brushes for Curly Hair to Find the Ones That Detangled without Frizz.” InStyle, www.instyle.com/hair/hair-products-tools/best-brush-for-curly-hair. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Javahn. “When Was the Hairbrush Invented?” Live True London, 29 May 2023, livetruelondon.com/when-was-the-hairbrush-invented/#:~:text=While%20the%20precise%20date%20of,back%20to%20around%205000%20BC.

Lindberg, Sara. “Brushing Hair: How to, Benefits, Frequency, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 24 July 2020, www.healthline.com/health/brushing-hair#benefits-of-brushing.