My old boss at the salon on Main Street said the same thing back in 2017 and I still backcombed for years after. Here is where I push back though. The problem is not backcombing itself, it is how people do it and what they use. If you tease with a fine tooth comb and yank straight down on dry, over processed ends, yeah, stuff snaps off. But a light tease close to the root with a comb that has wider teeth, on hair that is not already fried, does not destroy fine hair like everyone claims. I have done it on clients with baby fine hair for years and their length stayed healthy because I never ripped through the ends. What broke that client's hair was probably years of color and heat on top of the teasing, not the teasing alone. Telling people to never backcomb fine hair is like saying never use heat tools, it skips over how you actually do it.

Switched to a 5 star scale after my friend gave me a 6 out of 10 on a movie night pick and I acted like he kicked my dog. Smaller scales really do save friendships, huh?