The effect of brushing on hair loss in women.
BACKGROUND
Hair loss is a common, bothersome problem among women.


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


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Brushing is associated with hair loss. Reducing the brushing frequencies may reduce the amount of hair shed.
Kiderman
Alexander
A
Clalit Medical Services, Jerusalem, Israel.
Gur
Itzhak
I
Ever-Hadani
Pnina
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult