A good hair care routine can do wonders for the appearance of our locks, but these efforts are sometimes undone by overlooked hygiene tasks.
While most people are diligent when it comes to cleaning their make-up brushes, hairbrushes often get forgotten.
This oversight has not gone unnoticed, however, with Google searches for "should you wash your hairbrush" doubling in the past year.
Margot Thorne, a professional hairdresser and owner of the It's About ME salon in Bambury, recently told LOOKFANTASTIC why washing brushes is important for keeping hair glossy.
The mistake could lead to hair loss
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She said: "To keep your hair glossy and healthy, you should wash your personal hair brushes, weekly with shampoo and any hair brushes used by professional hairdressers should be washed after every client."
The expert explained that a dirty hairbrush can redeposit dirt, bacteria and old product residue onto hair.
In the long run, this could lead to greasier-looking hair between washes as oil becomes trapped in the build-up.
According to experts at LOOKFANTASTIC, hair brushes should be washed at least once a week.
This is particularly important for anyone with thinner hair or natural curls as a weekly regime could minimise the risk of long-term damage to the hair's natural texture.
The consequences of neglecting hairbrush hygiene can be severe, cautioned Margot.
She warned: "If you don't clean your brushes, it could lead to bacterial infections on your scalp, excessive oil and greasy hair."
The infections are the results of a build-up of dirt, products and oil, as these create an environment conducive to bacteria growth.
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Brush bristles should be cleaned between uses
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How to wash a hairbrush?
Washing a hairbrush thoroughly is easily done with the help of the following steps. Firstly, excess hair should be removed from brush bristles.
Next, soak the brush in warm water mixed with a mild degreasing soap or white vinegar.
After soaking, use a toothbrush to scrub between the bristles and remove product build-up.
Finally, thoroughly dry the hair rush before using it again.
