Maybe your brush has turned into a pond of styling products and you have been using it for ages now. You might be wondering: Will be enough if I cleaned the brush thoroughly or is it time to get a new one?
“The purpose of brushing your hair is to make it look neat, remove tangles, and smooth out each strand,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills
If there’s a build-up of dead hair on your brush that makes your brushing pointless since your brush can’t go through the strands. It can also cause damage to your hair and cause breakage.
“Dirty brushes can make clean hair look dirty, greasy, and weighed down. The product debris can irritate the scalp, which can lead to redness, itch, and scale. “If you have dandruff, which is caused by a skin reaction to yeast, you can put the yeast right back onto your scalp and make your dandruff worse,”says Shainhouse.
Over time, your hair brush can become a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and dust and anytime you use it, you’re just transferring those nasty things back into your hair.
You need to start removing the hairs off your brush after using it and you must start cleaning it at least once a week. If you notice some product leftovers on your brush, use some baking soda and a toothbrush to clean it. Then use some shampoo and toothbrush to clean it more thoroughly. Once you’re done shampooing your hair brush, fill your sink with some warm water and dip the brush in it. Shake off the excess water and leave the brush to dry.
If you don’t know how often you should replace your brush, it depends on how often you use it, the quality of your brush, etc.
Hair expert Anthony says that you shouldn’t use the same brush more than 1 year.
“The first sign you need a new brush is when the bristles start to separate. Keeping them moisturized can help delay this from happening. Simply put some argan oil in the palm of your hand, then lightly run the brush through it, massaging gently. If you use your blow-dryer on the reg, another warning sign is melted or missing bristles: If more than 10 percent of the bristles have come off your brush, it’s time to buy a new one,” explains Anthony.