Please wait a moment. How often should you clean your hairbrush?

Real talk: Your hairbrush is probably past its cleaning date. Between dead skin cells, oil, and leftover products, it’s a breeding ground for dirt that can stain your scalp. But how often should you clean it? Spoiler alert: It happens more often than you think. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your brushes and hair fresh and clean, including when to replace your trusty brushes with a new model.

How often to clean your hairbrush

As a general rule, you should clean your hairbrush every 1 to 2 weeks, but it really depends on several conditions, says Lindsay Murray, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Zubritsky says.

Clean your hairbrush more often if:

• using heavy styling products
• you have long hair
• Are you suffering from dandruff or oily scalp?

How to care for your hairbrush

How you clean your hairbrush will vary depending on the type, but regardless of the brush, always start by pulling out the hair using tweezers, scissors, or just your hands, says Dr. Zubritsky.

If you have a synthetic plastic bristle brush (which, by the way, is the easiest to clean), follow these steps, according to Dr. Zubritsky:

• Add shampoo, dish soap, or body wash to a large bowl of water and soak your brushes for 15 minutes.
• Then rinse thoroughly, shake or wring the brush to remove excess moisture, and let air dry.
• For further cleaning, spray the brush with disinfecting isopropyl alcohol.

If you have a brush with natural bristles or a wooden handle, you’ll need to be a little more careful with it. After removing all the hair from your bristles, follow these steps, according to Dr. Zubritsky:

• Add a gentle, mild shampoo or soap to a large bowl of water.
• Soak only the tips of the bristles in water (keep the wooden handles dry).
• Lather the ends of your hair with your hands or a toothbrush. These natural hairs have a lot of nooks and crannies, so they need to be scrubbed thoroughly.
• Soak for 15 minutes (again, keep the wooden handle dry).
• Then rinse thoroughly, shake or wring the brush to remove excess moisture, and let air dry.

What happens if you don’t clean your hairbrush?

If you’ve ever had hair build up inside your brush, you’ve probably noticed that it doesn’t work very well. But that’s not the only problem. A dirty hairbrush can also be harmful to your scalp.

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1. May clog hair follicles

According to Dr. Zubritsky, hairbrushes often collect dead skin cells, oil, and product buildup. She says this combination can clog your pores and negatively impact your scalp, leading to problems like scalp acne and folliculitis (when your hair follicles become infected or inflamed).

2. May cause dandruff

“Hairbrushes are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, including Malassezia (a yeast known to cause dandruff),” Dr. Zubritsky says. Even if you’re using an anti-dandruff shampoo, yeast can build up on your brushes, and every time you use it, you’re essentially pushing that dirt back into your scalp, she says.

3. May irritate or damage the scalp

“There’s nothing good about using a dirty hairbrush, especially if you have a sensitive scalp,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “Dirt, debris, bacteria, old products, and dead skin cells can travel back into your scalp through your brushes and cause irritation and sensitivity issues.”

When to replace your hairbrush

It can be hard to part with your favorite hairbrush. However, the health of your scalp depends on your scalp. Generally, it is recommended that you replace your brushes every 6 months. According to Dr. Zubrtisky, there are several signs that your brush needs an upgrade.

• The bristles or handles are damaged, bent, cracked, or chipped.
• The brush is not working properly (if the brush is not working properly, it increases friction and traction between the scalp and hair, which can lead to damage)
• The brush has a persistent odor (despite regular cleaning)
• Hair looks oily or oily