How to make your hair comb last a while

You comb your hair regularly to keep it healthy and well-groomed. You'll want one that is right for your specific hair type and you'll want it to last. Here are a few pointers to ensure success.

• Make sure to buy the right comb for your hair type.
• If you don't, you risk damaging the comb as well as your hair and scalp.
• As a general rule, if you are of European descent your hair will fall into one of three broad categories: fine and thin, medium, or coarse and thick.
• Asian hair tends to be thicker and African hair tends to be coarser, although it can sometimes be fine or medium.
• Caucasian hair is oval, whereas Asian hair is rounder, and African hair is alternately thick and thin. This is what makes it curly as well as fragile and prone to breakage at the thin spots.

A good comb can last many lifetimes, as comb collectors the world over know well. Hair-care experts offer the following tips for purchasing a comb:

Material: 

• Avoid a cheap comb made of thin, brittle plastic.
• It won't be long before the teeth start breaking and you will have to buy a replacement.
• In the long run you will save money by investing in a better quality comb. These are often made from a synthetic tortoise-shell like material.
• Also stay away from combs made in two halves that have sharp edges and ridges where the halves are joined. These can damage your hair.
• Better quality combs are made from a single piece of material.

Type of teeth: 

• Hand-made combs with "saw-cut" edges are preferable.
• The inside edges of the teeth have rough impressions that will collect dirt and dust and will also stimulate production of natural scalp oils as the comb is drawn through the hair.
• The teeth will appear shaped and polished, which will help them glide smoothly through the hair.
• Make sure the tips of a comb's teeth are rounded to avoid tearing the hair and scratching the scalp.

• To protect a comb, use it only on hair that is wet or on very fine hair where a brush might create a "flyaway" appearance.
• But do not use it on dry, thick hair — unless you believe that combs have a tooth fairy — because you are more likely to break off the teeth.
• Combs that do lose teeth should be discarded and replaced immediately.

• Keeping your combs clean will help them stay in good repair.
• Remove hairs and wash combs regularly in warm, soapy water.
• To remove the yucky build-up from the teeth of your comb between washings, press adhesive tape, masking tape, or transparent tape along the teeth, and lift it off.
• Then dip the comb in an alcohol or ammonia solution to sanitize it.