Hair loss can happen to anyone and a certain level of hair loss is considered normal. Research shows that over half of women experience hair loss of some sort within their lifetime, with it being even more common in men.
People often ask the question, does brushing hair cause hair loss? It is important to note that brushing or combing your hair is recommended. If you are not being too aggressive with the brushing and you own a good quality brush or comb, you can actually stimulate regular hair growth and a healthy head of hair. Furthermore, skipping brushing your hair altogether may not prevent hair loss and can be considered unhealthy.
With that being said, if you over-brush or brush in the wrong way, you can damage your hair strands, scalp and hair follicles. This can drastically hinder your scalp health and affect proper hair growth.
The average person that brushes their hair every day should expect to lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair daily. The hair strands that shed should make up the full length of your hair, and it should have a small white bulb at the end. This indicates that the hair was ready to be shed and it has come out to be replaced by new hair.
If your hair starts to come out in clumps and not full-length strands, it could be triggered by a variety of different factors that do not relate to brushing hair. In this case, we recommend that you seek a consultation with Crown Clinic’s surgeon, Dr. Asim Shahmalak.
Ways to prevent hair loss when brushing your hair
Avoid brushing wet hair
Your hair is at its most sensitive stage right after a shower or bath, so brushing wet hair can cause hair damage, as it is at its weakest and becomes increasingly vulnerable to breakage. This can lead to your hair becoming tangled and resulting in more split ends. If you have had a shower, it is important to dry your hair before you commence with any brushing and ensure that you brush it gently.
Use a good quality hair brush
The quality of the hair brush you use can affect the rate at which hair loss occurs. Therefore, you should try to use a good quality hair brush. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to fork out a fortune for a new brush, but there are some features you should consider when choosing one. Boar bristle brushes can cause more damage to your hair due to the large amount of friction that they can cause. If you want the best hair brush to stop hair loss, you should look for a plastic brush with widespread bristles, as this will be the most gentle on your hair.
Regularly wash your brush
This may seem like an easy thing to do, but you would be surprised at how many people forget to or simply do not clean their hair brush. When you constantly use the same brush over and over again, it will pick up chemicals and products that can affect your hair follicles. Therefore, it is important to regularly wash your brush to keep your hair and scalp as healthy as possible.
Brush with your head down
This is quite an unorthodox method, however, it is believed by some that brushing your hair with your head down increases blood flow to the scalp, which could promote hair growth. Bending forward at the waist, gently brushing from the back of your neck, upwards and then from the sides of your head to your crown could benefit your hair. After this, you can stand up straight and brush normally.
Brush your hair less
Brushing hair and hair loss are commonly associated with each other. The more you brush your hair and use artificial products, the more your hair will become open to damage and hair loss. It is important to let your hair breathe and relax instead of constantly brushing it throughout each day.
What do I do if I notice significant hair loss?
If you feel as though you are losing an excessive amount of hair or are worried about the appearance of your hair, Crown Clinic will be more than happy to help. Consultations are held with one of our team of hair loss experts, including our world-renowned surgeon, Dr Asim Shahmalak.
A hair loss consultation is key to solving your hair problems and we strive to ensure that we offer the best advice and support for you. During your consultation, we will ask you about your medical history and the results you wish to achieve. You will also receive an examination of your hair and scalp. This will allow our team to create the perfect plan for you and provide an estimate for any hair loss treatments recommended.
We offer free hair transplant consultations digitally and in person consultations for £100. Whichever option you choose, you are guaranteed to receive quality advice from an expert you can trust and one of the UK’s pioneering hair transplant surgeons. Arrange your consultation today by filling in our online form or by calling us on 0345 2 100 300.