What Happens To Your Body When You Don't Clean Your Hairbrush

You could wash your hair with the most luxurious shampoo in the world — moisturize your scalp for ultimate hair health, detox your curly hair with a hardworking clarifying shampoo, or triple wash your hair for optimal results. But if you're dragging it through a hairbrush that looks like it has survived apocalyptic warfare, you're probably undermining all your efforts. At a certain stage, an unkempt hairbrush stops being a tool and becomes a menace to society, entering its villain era and collecting enough dust to start a small ecosystem.

We're not judging. Many of us are guilty of owning hair brushes that now contain more hair than our actual heads. But you and your hairbrush deserve better. When you neglect to clean your hairbrushes, not only does it look seriously grimy, but it can also be detrimental to your health — impacting far more than just your tresses. Fortunately, knowing the risks means you can take simple steps to protect your head, hair, skin, and overall well-being. To gain a clearer understanding of exactly what these risks are, Women spoke exclusively with NYC-based hair surgeon, Dr. Ross Kopelman.

You wouldn't dream of letting your makeup brushes, bed sheets, or towels go unwashed for weeks on end. Your hairbrush shouldn't be any different. It may seem relatively harmless, but according to Dr. Ross Kopelman, the New York City-based hair surgeon of Kopelman Hair Restoration, it's the hidden culprit behind many scalp concerns.

Explaining the effects of never cleaning your hairbrush, he says, "You're essentially reintroducing old hair, dead skin cells, sebum, and even bacteria or fungi back onto your scalp with every stroke." The thought of that alone is enough to make your stomach turn, but there's more. "Over time," he adds, "this buildup can clog hair follicles, contributing to dandruff, itching, and even exacerbating conditions like folliculitis." If you're experiencing hair thinning or loss, an unclean brush can make matters worse by fostering an environment that stifles health regrowth.

Beyond scalp health, Dr. Kopelman shares that a forgotten brush is also "a breeding ground for dust mites and product residue, which can weigh hair down and make it look greasy," even when it's just been washed. With this in mind, now might be the perfect time to brush up on our hairbrush hygiene.

To the unassuming eye, your hairbrush may look clean enough. But the chances are, it's hoarding far more than just a few stray strands between its bristles. Is simply pulling these wisps out enough? Dr. Kopelman doesn't think so; a proper wash is crucial. He suggests "soaking the brush in warm water with a bit of gentle shampoo or dish soap, scrubbing between the bristles with an old toothbrush, and then rinsing thoroughly."

For combs and hot tools, regular cleaning is just as important. Dr. Kopelman recommends wiping them down with an alcohol pad to remove product buildup and beastly bacteria. This way, traces of gunk don't get transferred back onto your head, reducing the risk of irritation and lifeless hair. Dr Kopelman emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance to his patients, advising a thorough cleansing once a week to keep your brushes safe and effective.