I have recently had many clients interested in boar bristle hair brushes.  The good ones are expensive and are a benefit if you have the right type of hair. Boar bristle hair brushes are best for long hair that is not washed but once or twice a week. You have seen the old movies where they brush the hair 100 times to keep it healthy and get to rapunzel like lengths?

This type of brush redistributes the oils from the scalp and moves it through to the ends where the oils help keep the hair healthy. They also pick up the dirt dust and debris that collects in the hair.  When using this type of brush to clean your hair, it is important to remove tangles first.  Then start at the scalp and work to the ends. This results in smoother, healthier hair that is soft and manageable. Increasing the blood flow to the scalp has been linked to stimulating hair growth and creating thicker, longer hair as well.  It is important to clean these brushes properly. Simply run it under water and occasionally soak in shampoo and rinse. 

 Most women wash every day or every other day now. This makes the hair dry and a boar hair brush will only damage the hair. There is nothing to clean and no oils to distribute so this brush will tear it up and waste money! I recommend a ceramic round brush for smoothing or curling and cushion brush for regular use.

The cushion brush is designed to be gentle on hair and scalp. It is great for daily use as it only has one bristle to each hole as opposed to two like the vent brushes do, which can pull the hair. This is a great every day brush for anyone. The cushion has give so it does not tear up fine or thinning hair. Paddle cushion brushes are bigger for thicker and longer hair. Once the paint on the ends come off it is time to replace these. They tip the ends to give extra protection from hair breakage.

Round brushes used with hair dryers, round brushes are designed to add curl, curve and volume to straight hair, as well as to straighten wavy or curly hair. Get the right size for your hair type and the look that you want to achieve. If you have trouble using a round brush, Hot Tools makes a hot air brush. This blow dryer/ round brush combo makes it easier to do by the hot air coming out of the round brush.

Clean your brushes regularly. Scrubbing bubbles is a quick and effective way to clean and sanitize your brush with no damage. The foam lifts debris and hair product build up as well as bacteria and germs. Sounds funny, I know, but this really works great. If you do not get product build up on the brush, shampoo and rinse will work just fine.

Remember, replace your brush when you see that the bristles are bent,  missing ends, or padding is loose.