How long should I keep my hairbrush?

Question:

I’ve used the same hairbrush for 5 years, and it still seems to be doing an OK job. Do you know of any rules on how long I should keep it?

Answer:

For the love of your hair, please trash that brush! “Old, out-of-shape bristles can break your hair by scraping against the follicle at the scalp,” explains Cristophe, stylist and owner of the Cristophe Salon in Beverly Hills. “It’s a good idea to buy a new one once a year.” Look for a brush with natural-boar bristles, which last longer than plastic or metal ones. Or go for a brush with ionic technology, which makes bristles heat-resistant and protects wet hair from breaking when you blow-dry. One of our favorites is Olivia Garden’s Turbo Vent 100% Boar Brush ($16.45–$24.25, depending on the size of the barrel), a combination of boar bristles and ionic technology.

To remove oil and bacteria from your brush, Cristophe advises cleaning it regularly. Once a week, run a comb through the bristles to remove excess hair; once a month, clean it with soapy water or shampoo, then rinse and air-dry.