Bamboo hairbrushes are becoming an increasingly popular swap for plastic brushes. They’re eco-friendly, gentle on the scalp, and may decrease hair static.

If you’re in the market for a new brush, look no further than bamboo, boo. Made from sustainable bamboo wood, bamboo brushes are great for all hair types. Hair’s what to know.

You don’t have to be Marcia Brady to love brushing your hair to silky, smooth perfection. If you want to upgrade your everyday brush without forking over a fortune, a bamboo brush might be the inexpensive yet luxurious-feeling option you need.

Bonus: You can use these brushes on wet or dry hair, no prob. Plus, they’re pretty dang sustainable. Bamboo can be composted at the end of its lifespan.

Here’s a rundown of the seven best benefits of bamboo brushes.

1. Antibacterial properties

According to a 2022 review on Japanese bamboo, the material grows so quickly in nature due to its natural antibacterial properties. Using a bamboo brush can help prevent the scalp from being vulnerable to bacterial infections like Staphylococcus, Cutibacterium, or Lawsonella.

2. Eco-friendly and biodegradable

If the brushes’ bristles are also made from bamboo or boar bristles, you can compost the entire brush when it degrades, keeping it safely out of your local landfill. Bamboo is also a very sustainable material to grow. In a 2022 review, experts say using materials like bamboo and rattan can help mitigate climate change and preserve the environment.

3. Gentle on the scalp and hair

Tender-headed? While plastic bristles can yank or break your hair, bamboo bristles are much gentler on your precious strands. The bamboo should go through your strands without much of a struggle.

4. Oil distributing

Although all brushes technically help redistribute oil from the scalp to the ends of the hair, bamboo bristles (as well as boar bristles) may be particularly nourishing. Since the bristles aren’t stiff on your hair, you can brush as many times as you want without damaging it. Instead, it should be silkier and more conditioned.

5. Anti-frizz

Ever ran a plastic brush through dry hair and immediately looked like Ms. Frizzle? A bamboo brush can help with that. Wood-like bamboo insulates rather than conducts (like plastic), which means electricity won’t flow through your precious strands.

6. Vegan

Bamboo is vegan! While boar hair brushes are effective, bamboo brushes are better for the enviornment and aren’t derived from animals.

7. Affordable

Unlike many salon-grade or boar hair brushes, bamboo brushes tend to be pretty affordable.

You can use a bamboo brush just like any other brush. Here are some tips:

  1. Start with wet or dry hair.
  2. If you have longer hair or major tangles near the ends, grab sections of your hair and tackle this portion of your hair.
  3. Once the tangles are tamed, slowly start brushing from your scalp to the ends of your hair. Using short and light brush strokes will prevent any damage.
  4. Enjoy your new silky strands! Repeat as desired.
  5. Clean your bamboo brush at least once a week. Remove all the hair from the bristles, clean with soapy water, and allow your brush to air dry. It’s a good idea to place it in sunlight or dry it with a towel so the wood doesn’t remain overly moist, which can degrade it faster.

Bamboo brushes can range anywhere from under $10 to hundreds of dollars. You don’t need to splurge, though – for the most part, you can find a quality brush for under $30.

You can buy them online or at retailers like:

  • Ulta
  • Target
  • Whole Foods
  • Sally’s or other beauty supply stores

Pro tip: Check ingredients to find brushes made from pure bamboo.

Bamboo hairbrushes are a sustainable alternative to plastic brushes. They also contain anti-static and antibacterial properties for frizz-free shine and a healthy scalp.

They can be used on wet or dry hair and picked up at several retailers, from Amazon to Target to Whole Foods.