new thread
Hiya, guys,
I just found this report on the web which says that combing or brushing your hair frequently can lead to increased shedding.
I'd say it bears a more in-depth study over a longer period of time. Maybe it's something we could all do by keeping track of how often we brush or comb and how much hair we shed on a daily basis.
Hi there,
I does sound like some more research needs to be done on that before it's definative. Of course don't forget to keep all the sheddings in a box and RIP on it and in a few years you can knit a nice sweater out of it!
Cheers,
John.B
Imagine the size of box you'd need for that. I don't think I'd like a jumper made out of my own hair though. I think I look enough like Cousin It as it is! lol
Yeah, I think more research needs done on it. Twice the combing = 3x the hair loss...
Doesn't seem to add up right to me, but maybe its true I dont know.
~Jarvis~
I suppose it causes more damage and pulls the hair out.
I only brush a couple of times a day tops, so I'm not really too worried about it - although it looks as if I am starting to get a little thin on top, but such is life.
Seriously? A test with only 14 women? The article doesn't go into much detail, but it sounds like there was basicly no control for the test, and it uses a laughably small pool of subjects. Such a small test group leaves too many other factors to chance for it to convince me of anything. Do the same study with 1400 people and I might start to take notice. That's like saying people who wear glasses blink more because I tested 14 people and that's the results I got. So yes I agree, more testing needs to be conducted with a much much bigger group, and over a long period of time.
It wasn't really best practice, was it? Certainly if I'd gone to one of my professors with a paper like that at university, I'd have been laughed at. Still, it does bear further research and I'd certainly be interested in finding out the results and whether or not there were signifiant gender differences. Hmm... Maybe it's time I went back into research. It could be worth a PhD.
Hmmmm... An interesting read, that's for sure; not quite sure I believe it's main message, though.
I guess I mostly comb and/or brush twice a day: once in the morning (often when in a hurry. like when going to work); then usually also at night (which, when my hair is dry, I like to brush in a more relaxed manner, and fairly thoroughly). I use a comb when my hair is wet; but only comb enough to detangle after shampooing and conditioning. It's the dry brushing ritual, though, that I can really get into, --- including stimulating my scalp to the point that I can feel the blood nourishing the hair follicles (sounds kinda gross, doesn't it? - LOL)....
Having been a life-long brusher (even when my hair was shorter), at age 56 now, I think that most of my hair loss that is going to happen has already happened, --- which at this point in time is a mildly receding hairline and a small degree of general hair-thinning... In other words, things could be worse!
Maybe ten or 20 years from now my hair will be even thinner because of my evil combing and brushing practices; but, the brushing ritual makes me happy (as well as helps to distribute the natural hair oils down the hair shaft), --- so, I'll take my chances! We're all different, though...
Thanks again for the link to that article, --- and yes, a more in-depth study over a longer period of time would be good!
- Ken in San Francisco
I only really brush my hair when it's long - get me, as if I grow it long and cut it short regularly! There's not much point in brushing hair less than an inch long. Like you, I've grown it out twice, but this time I have no plans to cut it.
I know what you mean about the brushing ritual. I can quite happily spend half an hour on my hair in the evening, especially when I'm oiling it. It's a really relaxing time and helps me de-stress. If that causes a bit more shedding, so be it. I may change my tune in ten years time when I'm halfway to being as bald as an egg, but for now, I'm happy enough.
I won't take too much notice of this pseudo "study". There is no conclusive evidence offered, with very little information on all the various factors involved and the number of women reported were a relatively small cohort. Also we don't know how some people combed their hair- if they combed very gently and didn't force a snag, they were probably less likely to lose strands then if someone ripped into their hair violently with a comb. And how the hair is looked after can vary according to it's type. What is good for some hair may be bad for other heads of hair. This piece was probably made up by a journalist seeking to fill up some space, and we all know how well "researched" the stories are in News of the World. I'll just toss it in the bin. There are often studies that contradict other research so the only truth you will find is through personal experience. I comb twice a day and haven't experienced any noticeable hair loss in 39 years.
Duncan
Yep, I'm sure that there were outlying results in both sides of the "study" that they didn't pay attention to that much.
Its like the "6" degrees of separation test... The real average # of degrees was 9 not 6, they're just trying to fill spaceand hope no one decides to check into it
~Jarvis~