Does brushing your hair regularly make it grow stronger or is it total BS? We asked an expert...

Marcia Brady brushed her hair with 100 strokes every evening before bed and she had long, strong, and shiny blonde hair.

But Marcia Brady was also a fictional character.

We never actually saw her complete 100 strokes from start to finish and who knows – she was probably feeding her hair hydrating hair masks or trying early testers of Olaplex behind the scenes.

And because you can't believe everything you see on TV, we asked Sam Burnett, Owner & Creative Director of Hare & Bone hair salon, what the real deal is with brushing your hair...

Brushing can cause damage and frizz

It's not all bad news, but the reality is that brushing can sometimes do more harm than good, especially if you're using the wrong brush or have curly hair.

"If you have curly hair I would recommend not brushing, as it would break up all the curl and create frizz", says Sam.

There's no proof that brushing will make hair grow stronger and longer

The benefits of brushing aren't really related to hair growth, which makes sense considering you're brushing what's already dead.

But don't worry, it's not completely useless either. Sam says it's great for removing loose hairs (that naturally shed as part of the hairs growth cycle) and for working away small matts before they turn into bigger knots that are difficult to remove and can lead to breakage.

"Using a natural bristle brush also helps to work the natural oils through the hair and keep it healthy."

Try removing knots without brushing

Before you resort to brushing, why not try removing and preventing knots through other (more hair-friendly) means.

Sam says: "Treating the hair with a weekly moisturising mask or treatment, will help to keep hair cuticles smooth and laying flat, which will stop them from snagging and getting tangled."

And if that doesn't work, bring in a comb

We're often told not to brush our hair when it's wet because this is when hair is at it's weakest and prone to breakage. But let's get real, it's SO much easier to remove knots when your mane is soaked and covered in conditioner.

For this, Sam says it's A-OK, but to use a wide tooth comb rather than a brush so that it glides through and removes tangles without breakage.

Then, when it's necessary to brush dry hair, he recommends using a Mason & Pearson hairbrush (£79.50) with natural bristles and if you don't have one of those, just make sure to avoid nylon bristles.

Best knot removal technique

It may seem counter-intuitive, but the best way to remove knots is to always start at the bottom of the hair and work your way up to the scalp.

If you start from the top, you'll break the knot, and therefore break your hair rather than working it loose.

Unsure if you're using the right brush for your hair type? Check out our expert guide...