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Review
. 2025 Feb;11(1):58-62.
doi: 10.1159/000540486. Epub 2024 Aug 12.

Hairbrushes: A Guide for Dermatologists

Kimberly N Williams  1 , Juwon Lee  1 , Esthefani Robles  2 , Antonella Tosti  1
Affiliations
Review

Hairbrushes: A Guide for Dermatologists

Kimberly N Williams et al. Skin Appendage Disord. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Hairbrushes play an integral role in our day-to-day life. As dermatologists, it can be difficult to keep up with this constant influx of new and unique brush types. This article provides a summary of the ten most commonly used hair brushes all dermatologists should know, focusing on their design, suitable hair types, and proper usage.

Summary: There are a wide variety of hairbrushes on the market today ranging from detangling brushes to boar bristle brushes. Improper use of these hairbrushes can lead to trichomalacia, trichorrhexis nodosa, and traction alopecia. This guide aims to summarize the most common types of hairbrushes and their proper use for dermatologists.

Key messages: Improper use of hairbrushes can lead to trichomalacia, trichorrhexis nodosa, and traction alopecia. Through this guide, we hope to provide helpful information on hairbrushes that can be utilized daily in clinical practice for hair types ranging from straight to coily.

Keywords: Alopecia; Brush; Dermatologist; Hair; Hairbrush.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Tosti is a consultant for DS Laboratories, Monat Global, Almirall, Thirty Madison, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, P and G, Pfizer, and Myovant. She is one of the editors-in-chief of Skin Appendage Disorders. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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