Berlin - Many women comb their hair when it's wet and end up with a wad of hair in their comb and a hurting scalp.

It's easier to comb hair when it's dry, said Stefanie Koehn, president of an association of hair stylists in Germany. That's because wet hair is supple and can easily be overstretched. When it's combed it can be like elastic and pull out from the root.

Long hair in particular should be combed starting at the tips. First comb through any tangles there, then comb through the hair from the root to the tips.

Koehn recommends using a comb that has no seams between the prongs. Some pressed or extruded plastic combs can have this rough edge. Combs made from the horns of animals are hard to find, but are a particular luxury.

Brushes are also better when they are made of natural materials, such as the hair of a wild pig. The bristle base should be soft and flexible to cushion the pressure, spare the scalp and stimulate circulation.

"The right brush makes the well-known '100 brush strokes' a true benefit for the hair and the scalp," said Koehn. "Using the wrong tool can quickly turn the experience into a horror trip." (dpa)