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Backcombing

Type of hair styling

Backcombing, also known as teasing or ratting, is a way of styling hair to create volume. It is done by repeatedly combing the hair towards the scalp, causing the hair to tangle and knot.

01Notable wearers

Robert Smith performing in 2004
Robert Smith performing in 2004

02Overview

Backcombing is a part of big hair styles such as beehives, bouffants, and dreadlocks. Because it rubs against the scales of the hair's cuticle, it can cause serious and progressive damage to the hair's integrity; this leads to weakening and breakage over time, and frequent backcombing is not recommended for people who want to maintain long hair. It can also cause tangles near the root that are very difficult to remove.

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Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article Backcombing, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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