Have you ever noticed the strange grey fuzz that builds up in your hairbrush? You may have assumed it was just dust or lint. Sadly, the truth is a little more disgusting than that.
Experts say the grey buildup is actually a mixture of shed hair, dead skin cells, scalp oils, dust, and leftover hair products.
Celebrity hairstylist Dean Banowetz told Reader’s Digest that all of these things can collect and find a new home in the hairbrush over time.
“The fuzz is a mix of hair, scalp oils, dead skin cells and dust from the air,” Banowetz says. But he says the key ingredient of this disgusting cocktail, the one that holds it all together (literally), is product buildup—think gunk left over from hair gel, putty, pomade, mousse, dry shampoo, hairspray, leave-ins and other hair styling products,” he said.
Dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon said that every time you brush your hair, some hair and dead skin cells can end up trapped in the brush. Haircare products and environmental dust can then add to the buildup.
Dermatologist Dr Anna Chacon also explained how the build-up forms.
“When we brush our hair, it’s typical for hair to shed, and it can get tangled in the brush,” she said.
The truth about the grey fuzz in your hairbrush
“That, mixed with dead skin cells, which are also naturally shedded, create some buildup, and if you have applied haircare products to your hair, those products can also transfer to the brush”
“Top that with dust or other environmental factors, and you get the fuzz.”
And there is another reason you may want to think twice before ignoring it.
Dirty hairbrushes can hold bacteria and yeast, which can then be transferred back onto your scalp. According to the experts, this can contribute to irritation, breakouts, tangling, and even hair breakage.
Also, the grey fuzz can appear surprisingly quickly. With daily use, it can build up in just a week to 10 days, especially if you regularly use styling products.
How often should you clean your hairbrush?
So how often should you clean your hairbrush? Well, experts recommend cleaning it about once a week if you use it every day and regularly use hair products. If you use your brush less often, cleaning it every two to three weeks may be enough.
“Anytime you see any buildup, it’s time to address it and give it a cleaning,” Chacon told Reader’s Digest.
If you can already see grey fuzz between the bristles, that’s a good sign it’s time to give your brush a proper clean.
To clean it, start by removing all the loose hair. Then soak the brush in warm water with a little shampoo and baking powder for around 10 minutes.
Give it a good scrub with your fingers or an old toothbrush, rinse it well and leave it bristle-side down to air dry.
