Which practice is essential for reducing hair breakage during styling?

Gently using a wide-tooth comb is essential for reducing hair breakage during styling because it allows for a smoother detangling process without causing unnecessary stress or friction on the hair strands. Unlike fine-tooth combs, which can snag on tangles and contribute to breakage, wide-tooth combs have teeth that are spaced further apart. This makes them ideal for gently detangling wet or damp hair, as they can navigate through knots with less pulling and tugging. As a result, the hair's integrity is preserved, and the risk of damage is significantly lowered.

In contrast, using wet hair products may lead to hair becoming more fragile if not formulated correctly, and detangling with a fine-tooth comb can exacerbate tangles and increase breakage due to the pulling action required to get through knots. While brushing hair frequently might help with styling, it can create friction and lead to more breakage, especially if done aggressively or on dry hair. Thus, the choice of a wide-tooth comb aligns perfectly with caring for the hair during styling.