Boar Bristle Brush: How to choose and maintain it?

Why choose a boar bristle brush?

Wild boar hair is made of keratin ... like our hair. This is why they have been used for centuries to garnish hairbrushes. Indeed, as their composition is close to that of hair, they respect them, limit the forks, and generate little static electricity, unlike plastic fibers. Boar bristles (also known as "boar bristles") are very resistant, so these brushes can last a very long time. Another advantage, their holding helps promote good blood circulation in the scalp. Finally, the boar bristles make it possible to distribute sebum over the entire length of the hair in order to reduce the amount at the root to feed the tips. In short, boar bristle brushes are totally ecological and the best for hair.

How to check that it is wild boar hair?

Some manufacturers mix boar hair with nylon (and do not say it, or not clearly). The brush loses all its interest. To recognize them, there are two methods: The "soft under laboratory microscope" method: A tuft of hair is closely observed by slowly sliding the finger over it. Nylon "bristles" are stiffer, thicker and harder. Boar hairs are more supple and thin. The method "hard ultimate pyromaniac": It passes the end of a tuft of hair "to the flame" of a lighter. It is necessary to approach slowly the flame and to see the reaction: If the hairs fuse and that a smell of plastic emerges ... it is that there is plastic (without joke). If it smells grilled pig, it's because it's pig (re-no joke).

How to clean a boar bristle brush?

First, remove hair and other dust. The best is to use another brush and rub them against each other, this avoids too much pull on the hair. Then we soak the brush in warm soapy water (possibly a mild shampoo) and fingers are gently passed through the hair to clean. Soaking the brush for too long is not a good idea, especially for wood, which may curl, crackle ... and lose hair. The good trick is to rub two brushes against each other to wash them together. Then rinse. Finally, it must be dried. Use a cloth or towel to wipe as much as possible and allow to dry naturally in the open air (not on a radiator), the hair down on a dry towel. Avoid the hair dryer.