Oily roots, irritated scalp... What if it was because of your hairbrush?

2022-02-09T17:34:44.786Z

A poorly maintained hairbrush affects the beauty of our hair and can cause a lot of damage. Hair specialists explain to us how to take care of the object.

Cleaning your hairbrush is not an obvious reflex for everyone and yet this everyday hair accessory requires impeccable hygiene.

Like brushes and other make-up sponges, the brush is a fertile ground for the proliferation of bacteria which can cause problems when it is poorly maintained: greasy hair, dull lengths and itchy scalp are among the most observed damages.

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“First of all, a brush is everyone for themselves,” recalls Flore des Robert, co-founder of the La Bonne Brosse brand.

“It is an object of intimate hygiene that we touch every day.

It is not an accessory that we lend ourselves within the home, in the same way as the toothbrush.

Just as the latter is rinsed after each wash to remove excess toothpaste, it is essential to rid the brush daily of hair clinging to the bristles.

“We must systematically remove the hair deposited on the brush with each use”, confirms Flore des Robert, specifying that this loss is “normal” in small quantities.

"We lose on average between 150 and 300 a day and it's a natural phenomenon, so you don't have to worry.

On the contrary, brushing makes it possible to remove dead hair, cleanse and oxygenate the scalp.

The right move?

Simply remove them by hand, or use a coarse-toothed comb to slide gently through the fibers of the brush.

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An essential gesture for the health of the hair

“Hairbrushing is like removing make-up at night.

It removes impurities, sebum, dead cells and pollution accumulated throughout the day.

Except that the hair is stuffed with scales which capture much more than the skin”, continues the expert.

Just as we would not imagine removing our makeup several days in a row with a dirty cotton ball, styling our hair with a brush filled with residue thus seems counterproductive.

“If the fiber of the brush is clean, 100% of its material will take care of the hair.

If it's saturated with dead skin, dust, etc., you're preventing it from doing its job properly and you're going to put it all back on your hair every time,” explains Flore des Roberts.

Worse still, “you also risk upsetting the balance of the scalp microbiome, which in turn can create dandruff or hyperseborrhoea (excess sebum, Ed.).”

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Properly clean your brush, instructions for use

On TikTok, the modern eldorado of practical tips, many videos that have gone viral explain how to clean your hairbrush easily in a sink.

Among the many tutorials, professional hairdressers suggested, among other things, soaking it regularly in shampoo, dishwashing liquid or baking soda.

Flat or round brush, with nylon or wooden pins, everything goes.

The only exception: “You never put a handmade boar bristle brush under the tap,” warns Veronique Julien, hairdresser and hair specialist at Biologique Recherche.

In this case, experts recommend cleaning it thoroughly once a month, following a specific protocol.

“Boar bristle fibers are not made to be waterlogged.

You have to clean them with a small damp cloth or an old toothbrush, with Marseille soap,” advises Flore des Roberts.

"Rub the rubber gently to dislodge any particles that may have stuck, then air dry the brush, head down."