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You may have heard people joke about tearing their hair out when they’re stressed or annoyed-but losing hair is no joke!
Men are targeted more than women with hair loss commercials, but 40% of women in the U.S. struggle with losing locks, according to data from the American Hair Loss Association. And if you happen to fall in that group, don’t fret. There are plenty of things you can do to stimulate hair growth, from making lifestyle/diet adjustments to taking biotin supplements. Of course, it helps to couple proactive action with preventative measures, which is why we consulted with the experts to find out the major mistake you should avoid to prevent hair fallout.
Keep reading to learn more!
Overbrushing
It sounds counter-intuitive (wouldn't brushing your hair be good for it?), but brushing comes with its own set of challenges. That's because overbrushing hair, or brushing it with 100 strokes a day as the saying goes, can actually be pulling on your strands and causing unwanted fallout.
"Regardless of your age, you should only brush your hair when necessary, and apply decent hair products to untangle your hair without pulling it," professional hairstylist Monica Davis warns. Furthermore, "the older you are, the more time your scalp needs time to restore, so don't skip your conditioner and masks and use detangling sprays. This will guard your scalp and strands from tension and damage."
Brushing hair when it's wet is doubly damaging and should be limited as much as possible. That's because, "the hair is most fragile when wet," Dr. Ailynne Marie Vergara-Wijangco, MD, explains. When you get out of the shower, "treat your hair gently, and remember to allow it to fully air dry or blow dry with medium setting before brushing."
HOW you brush is also important. "The scalp should not be brushed. Instead, gently tangle from the tipos working on it up to the roots," Dr. Ailynne adds.
It can also be a good idea to invest in the right kind of brush, which will help protect your tresses over time. Those with straight hair may benefit with a non-static brush, which helps to keep cuticles flat and increase the shine of your hair.
The best all-around brush option for most everyone is a paddle brush. This type of brush works to detangle hair, but remains gentle and doesn't pull. The bristles are sturdy enough to break up tangles, but won't cause damage during your brushing session.
In the future, try following these brushing tips for less fallout. Plus try an expert-recommended supplement like Viviscal Hair Supplement to achieve the mermaid hair of your dreams.
