The effect of brushing on hair loss in women

Hair loss is a common, bothersome problem among women.

To evaluate the effect of different brushing frequencies on hair loss in women.

This was a non-randomized crossover study. During a 4-week period, 14 women were asked to brush their hair with different frequencies during each of the 4 weeks. The amount of hairs lost during each week was counted and the average hairs lost during each week was compared with that of a week with a different brushing frequency.

In all comparisons analyzed, hair loss was reduced by reducing brushing frequency. A subgroup analysis found strong association (p < 0.05) between brushing frequencies and the magnitude of hair loss. A limitation of the study was that the majority of the subgroup analyses did not find a statistically significant association between brushing frequency and amount of hair lost.

Brushing is associated with hair loss. Reducing the brushing frequencies may reduce the amount of hair shed.