A hairbrush is a stick brush with rigid or soft bristles used in hair care for smoothing, styling, and detangling human hair, or for grooming an animal's fur. It can also be used for styling with a curling iron or blowdryer.
Contents
Human use
A brush is typically used on long hair while a comb is normally used on shorter hair; however, both may be used for either. A flat brush is normally used for detangling hair, for example after sleep or showering. A round brush can be used for styling and curling hair, especially by a professional stylist, often with a blowdryer. A paddle brush is used to straighten hair, flatten long hair, and tame fly-aways. A hairbrush can be used to remove loose hairs, and increase circulation to the scalp. For babies, many bristle materials are not suitable due to the hardness; some synthetic materials and horsehair/goat hair bristles are appropriate.
Animal use
Special brushes are made for cats and dogs. Two different brushes can be made specifically for either short haired pets, or long haired pets. For an equine's tougher hair, a curry-comb is used.
Types
Various types of brushes are used for different purposes, or have special features that are beneficial to certain hair types. For example:
The effects of brushing will be different depending on the hair's texture and whether the hair is wet or dry. Straight hair typically looks smoother when brushed. Curly hair tends to expand when brushed while dry.
Materials
Common materials used for the handle are ebony, rosewood, New Guinea rosewood, beech, ABS plastic, polyacetal. Common materials used for bristles include boar bristle, horsehair, nylon, stainless steel and goat hair.
United States history
The earliest U.S. patent for a modern hairbrush was by Hugh Rock in 1854. A brush with elastic wire teeth along with natural bristles, was patented by Samuel Firey in 1870 as U.S. Patent 106,680. In 1898, Lyda A. Newman invented an "Improved Hairbrush," which allowed for easily cleaning and had bristles separated wide enough to allow for easy combing. She was awarded U.S. Patent 614,335.