Shedding Hair Brushes

Does Combing Or Brushing Your Hair Make It Shed More?

When you are shedding or experiencing accelerated hair loss, you begin to notice nearly every hair that falls from your head.  You start to notice the strands on your floor, or on your clothing, or in your drain, and most definitely in your hair brush.  Often, you will notice too that brushing or combing your hair is followed by a shower of spent hairs shedding out.  If this goes on for longer than you are comfortable with, you may start to wonder if you should reign in things which you used to think nothing about like washing or brushing your hair. People often ask me questions like: “Does brushing or combing my hair make more of it fall out? Should I avoid this if I am shedding?”  I’ll address these concerns in the following article.

Brushing Is Not Something That People With Healthy Hair And Scalps Need To Worry About: It’s normal and natural for a small amount of hair to shed or fall out after you brush it.  Similar to shampooing, the manipulation of the hair follicles and scalp causes the hair that was already in the resting or shedding phase to be massaged out.  The amount of strands in this phase is often less than 50 per day (and sometimes much less than even this) for most people.   

But people who are shedding or losing more than normal can shed out excess amounts after the stimulation of brushing.  They can therefore begin to wonder if brushing is the cause of the excess loss or if this is something that they should avoid.  Truthfully, people with healthy hair and scalps who enjoy normal loss don’t need to worry about the small amounts that normally fall. And, any hair that comes out in your brush was destined to come out anyway.  If your hair was not in the resting phase, the manipulation that comes with this process would not be enough to pull it out.  Strands not in the resting phase which are healthy and deeply embedded in your head need more than gentle tugging to come out. The brush is not to blame.  Whatever is making more of your follicles go into the resting phase is to blame.

But, if you’re shedding excess amounts, you may start to believe that you can’t spare even one more hair and that this combing or brushing business is a luxury you can’t afford.  This isn’t the answer either though, which I’ll explain below.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Brushing, (Even If You Are Shedding) But You Should Modify The Technique And Tools That You Use: Combing your hair is an important part of scalp and hair health in the same way that shampooing is.  Not only does the practice stimulate your scalp, it also helps to remove the debris which could clog or shrink your follicles.  And, hair that is not combed properly can look less voluminous and plastered to your head, (a look that is not becoming if you’re already suffering loss.)

You can do a few things to make the process not as difficult though.  Until you are able to figure out what is causing the excess loss and fix it, you may want to consider either using a wide tooth comb or one of the “ouch less” brushes or those designed for hair loss.  And, you never want to try to comb or brush wet or damp hair.  

Make sure that the hair is free of any tangles which will make pulling the comb through more difficult. (I often use a light weight spray in condition for this.)  Place your hand at the base of your scalp on the area that you are brushing so that you are only working with the shaft of your hair and not having to pull too hard from the scalp.  Once this step is done, you can then bend over at the waist and pull the comb or brush through (in a forward motion) if you need to. This will often make you look like you have twice as much hair (for a little while, anyway.)  And this modified method should result in less falling out because there is less manipulation.

Some hair loss experts recommend boar bristle brushes for scalp stimulation.  I find these too difficult to use and feel that they result in too much shed as the bristles don’t give enough.  I have come to avoid them.  You can get the same results from more gentle tools and you can stimulate your scalp in a number of ways without having to sacrifice your hair in the process.

Finally, figuring out why you are losing more hair than normal and then stopping this process is the best defense against fearing a comb or brush.  Once you are no longer losing excess hair, you’ll no longer need to hold your breath and have anxiety when you brush or shampoo.

How do I know all of this? Because I lived it. I used to live in fear of my brush because using it made tons more hair fall out. But, I came to realize that it wasn’t the brush, but the shedding that was the enemy and that this is what I needed to address. In my quest to end my hair loss, I looked at my triggers, my iron, my thyroid, my adrenals, my hormones, and my scalp. It was a long, hard, frustrating journey which all but wrecked my self esteem but I finally found something that helped quite a bit. You can read my very personal story at http://stop-hair-loss-in-women.com/

About the Author

Ava’s hair loss blog is at http://stop-hair-loss-in-women.com/

 

Furminator the dog and cat deshedding brush demonstration

Pet Dog Cat Hair Shedding/Grooming Slicker Brush Comb $4.79 Material: plastic Head dimension: approx. 12 x 7.7 cm Bristle length: approx. 1.8cm All the removed hair this brush collects will drop by pushing the button on the handle….

3M Scotch Fur Fighter 849RF-8 Hair Remover Refill, 8-Sheet $0.29 Scotch, 8 Count, FurFighter Hair Remover Refill, Used With Handle #849SK-5….

3M Scotch FurFighter 849SK-5 Hair Remover Kit, 1-Handle with 5-Sheets $4.79 Scotch FurFighter Hair Remover Starter Kit, 1 Handle & 5 Sheets, Removes Embedded Pet Hair From Upholstery, Picks Up Hair That Vacuum Cleaners Leave Behind & Over 3 Times More Than A Lint Roller, Disposes Of Dander That May Cause Allergic Reations….

Ecotools Recycled Retractable Kabuki $4.99 Earth-friendly beauty. Cruelty free hair. Recycled aluminum. Reusable storage pouch. Great for travel. Compact design. This earth-friendly set shows respect for the planet. Synthetic Taklon bristles are 100% cruelty free. Retractable case is made from recycled aluminum. Made in China….

Oster 78005-010 Golden A5 Single-Speed Clippers $105.99 Oster Golden A5 Dog Hair Clippers When you’re looking for an economical, reliable dog clipper the Oster(R) Golden A5(R) Single Speed Clipper has been the industry standard for years. Single speed dog clippers wear out less frequently than 2 speed or variable dog clippers. The Oster(R) Golden A5(R) Clipper has an insulated face plate that keeps the blade surface cooler. These clippers handle everyt…

FURminator Short Hair deShedding Tool for Small Cats $21.95 FURminator deShedding Tool for Small Cats – FURminator for Cats Tool and FURminator DeShedding ToolThe patented FURminator deShedding Tool for Small Cats quickly and easily removes (without cutting) the loose, dead undercoat cat hair that’s the underlying source of a pet owner’s major complaint — shedding and the allergies and cleanliness problems associated with it. Not only does this FURminator…

Dyson Groom $44.99 Groom – Pet Grooming Vacuum Attachment…

Oster Equine Care Series Finishing Brush, Soft Bristle, Natural Hog Hair, Blue $10.77 Great new look. Soft bristles produce a beautiful sheen. Ergonomic design and comfort grip helps reduce hand fatique….

FURminator equine deShedding tool- 5 edge $37.99 Specially designed for horses. The equine deshedding tool’s unique blade is designed to remove loose hair like no other.- Does not cut or damage the coat- Spend less time grooming, allowing more time to ride and enjoy your horse- Helps maintain a healthier skin and coat with daily grooming- Stimulates circulation and hair growth- Brings out a horse’s natural oils promoting a healthier and shinier …

Oster Equine Care Series Face Finishing Brush, Medium Bristle, Natural Horse Hair, Pink $7.99 A comfortable groom and high shine for your horse are the order of the day with this natural, soft bristles, round face brush. The brush’s unique, comfort grip handle makes your job simpler as well. Ergonomic design with unique comfort grip handle Natural, medium bristles give your horse a comfortable groom and high shine Round face brush for sensitive and small areas…

Pet Comb Dog Grooming Shedding Hair Brushes Moulting Tool Purple $8.49 Description:The Grooming Comb accommodates for small, medium dogs and catsPet Comb easily grabs and removes loose hair from a pet’s undercoat without cutting the hair in the process.Reduces shedding by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the topcoat.Use the Dog Comb weekly and the de-shedding tool approximately six to eight weeks.Your pet will look so great that you’ll always love to pet itHigh quality stainless steel teeth measures L1.5cm x D0.1cm.Colour: PurpleMeasurement: L2.8cm x W18cmWeight: 75gPackage contents:1 x Purple Pet Comb

Horse Shedding Blade $8.4 Perfect For Horses Mane; Used For The Removal Of Loose Hair And Dirt. Use The Smooth Side To Scrape Off Sweat. Stainless Steel, Leather. Search_Phrases: Brushes,Combs,Horse,Equine,Animal,Horse Brush,Equine Products,Horse Products,Imported Horse &Supply,Horse Shedding Blade

Professional Grooming Shedding Brush for Pets $8.09 - Gentle and efficient action while grooming and shedding pets- Promote shiny coat and healthy skin- Proven design removes dead, loose hair from the undercoat where ordinary brushes fail- For right and left hand use

Anti-Shedding Brush $39.97 Make brushing your dog a pleasure with the Anti-Shedding Brush – Guaranteed to reduce shedding better than brushes, combs or rakes. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Shedding Blade $5.3 Used by professional groomers to remove dead and shedding hair. Brush your cat regularly to help prevent hairball formation Brushing also massages the skin feels good to your cat and releases natural oils into the coat for best health and beauty. Ingredients:Rubber, Metal, Plastic

Shedding Comb $5.79 The teeth of this specially designed comb are turned 90 degrees away from the handle. This helps prevent “raking” your dog’s skin. Gently work the teeth of the comb into the undercoat parallel to the skin and lift out of the shedding hair. Work on small portions of the coat one at a time. For lightly mattedcoats, use a Slicker Brush, it will help loosen the matted portions. In severe cases, use a Dematting Rake before combing out the dead hair. Comb is 8 1/2″ long.

Pet Hair Shedding Grooming Tool for Small Dog $15.28 Reduces shedding up to 90 percent. Designed for dogs with hair longer than 2 inches.

Pet Hair Shedding Grooming Tool for Large Dog $16.92 Reduces shedding up to 90 percent. Designed for dogs with hair longer than 2 inches.

Pet Hair Shedding Grooming Tool for Giant Dog $16.22 Reduces shedding up to 90 percent. Designed for dogs with hair longer than 2 inches.

Dogit Shedding Blade For Dogs $8.74 The Dogit Shedding Blade removes loose shedding hair and is for brushing or bathing. To use, Stroke Pet From head to Tail to Remove Shedding Hair. It can also be used To Remove Excess Water After Bathing by Stroking Pet From Head to Tail Using the Smooth Side of Blade. Product is made with Metal.

Case of As Seen On TV Shed Ender De-Shedding Brush $92.6 Unlike brushes were hair can easily fall from this keeps hair off your pets and out of your house. Also gives pets and shiny healthy coat.

ShedMonster Shedding Tool Short $19.99 ShedMonster Shedding Tool As Seen On TV! The ShedMonster Shedding Tool is a professional de-shedding tool that will not irritate the pet’s skin. Great for all shedding breeds with fine or short coats. Carves through mats & tangles. Removes unwanted shedding hair that would otherwise accumulate all over the house. Pulls out shedding hair while leaving the healthy hair in place. Product Features: Recommended for fine or short coat types Stainless steel curved teeth to penetrate deep into the coat Smooth round edges provide a massaging action Ergonomic, non-slip grip handle De-Sheds, De-Mats & De-Tangles Sizes: Medium/Long – For Medium to Long hair dogs (8.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches ) Short- For all Short hair Dogs (8.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches ) Cat- For all Cats. (Comming Soon!) Watch the ShedMonster in action below:

Vista Shedding Comb $7.95 Vista Shedding Comb is great for long or thick coats. The skip tooth design is perfect for removing loose hair. Stainless steel teeth Comfort grip handles

Shedding Blade with Grip Handle $4.75 This shedding blade is great for removing the unwanted mud and hair that the spring brings. Has a nice comfortable and colorful handle. Great item.

Bramton 11034 Anti-Shedding Solution $27.95 “Bramton Anti-Shedding Solution, The Bramton Anti-Shedding Solution anti-shedding solution is a special blend of vitamins, proteins, and moisturizers that help reduce unnecessary shedding . It holds the hair follicles of your pets in place. However, this solution will not stop the natural shedding process of the dogs during summer.The pet should be at least 10-12 weeks of age before the solution is used. Bramton Anti-Shedding Solution Features: Anti-shedding Solution, Product #: 11034, 16oz. Bottle, Helps Reduce Unnecessary Shedding, Reduces Hair, Dander & Allergin Build Up in the Home, Does Not Affect Seasonal Shedding Process”

Hallmark 74500 Shedding Blade $20.21 Shedding Blade removes dead and excess hair for a healthy well groomed look. Non-magnetic with a leather handle. Satisfaction Ensured. Your pet will love it. Makes for a great gift.

Steel Pet Hair Shedding Grooming Comb $5.49 - The grooming comb accommodates for small, medium dogs and cats – Your pet will look so great that you’ll always love to pet it – Reduces shedding by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the topcoat – Pet Comb easily grabs and removes loose hair from a pet’s undercoat without cutting the hair in the process – Also,this comb can be used for cat,horse,etc.

Gripsoft Dog Shedding Blade Reg $5.32 The Gripsoft Shedding Blade by JW Pet is used by professional groomers to remove dead, shedding hair. The 'Good Grooming' tool for removing your pet's dead or shedding hair. Keeps groomers comfortable with Gripsoft rubber-sheathed handle. Soft rubber sheathed handle gives you non-slip comfortable grip. Finger fitting contours of the handle increase your comfort and control. You'll use the Shedding Blade primarily to remove dead and shedding hair from your pet's coat. Regular use will help prevent matting. Size: Regular. Search_Phrases: Dog Grooming,Dog Shedding Blades,Shedding Hair,Dog Grooming Tool,Dog Dead Hair Removal,Dog Products,JW Pet Company Inc,Gripsoft Dog Shedding Blade Reg

Gripsoft Dog Shedding Blade Large $5.81 The Gripsoft Shedding Blade by JW Pet is used by professional groomers to remove dead, shedding hair. The 'Good Grooming' tool for removing your pet's dead or shedding hair. Keeps groomers comfortable with Gripsoft rubber-sheathed handle. Soft rubber sheathed handle gives you non-slip comfortable grip. Finger fitting contours of the handle increase your comfort and control. You'll use the Shedding Blade primarily to remove dead and shedding hair from your pet's coat. Regular use will help prevent matting. Size: Large. Search_Phrases: Dog Grooming,Dog Shedding Blades,Shedding Hair,Dog Grooming Tool,Dog Dead Hair Removal,Dog Products,JW Pet Company Inc,Gripsoft Dog Shedding Blade Large

Shedding Blade for Cats $5.99 Cat fur looks great on your kitty, but not so much on your couch Take care of nuisance shedding by using this Shedding Blade daily. It makes easy work of your cat’s entire coat, removing loose dead hair that would normally eventually end up on your carpet, sofa, or other furniture. Comfort-contour fubber grip for easy maneuvering.

Shedding Blade – Regular $6.49 If your dog’s fur is in generally good condition, you may not need a strong brush to keep it that way. A shedding blade is a professional grooming instrument that safely and easily removes shedding or dead hair from your pet, keeping them silky smooth. Ideal if your pet doesn’t have a lot of matting or tangles. Use this instrument once a day to keep your dog’s fur in beautiful condition Soft grip for comfort. Size: Blade is 11″ long.

Shedding Blade – Large $6.99 This is a great tool for removing your pet’s dead or shedding hair. The finger fitting contours of the handle increase control. The soft rubber sheathed handle gloves you a comfortable grip. It is ideal for medium and long haired breads such as collies, shepherds, Shetland sheep dogs, retrievers, pekinese, huskies, and long haired mixed breeds.

JW Pet GripSoft Cat Shedding Blade $3.99 This tool is designed to keep fine textured and long haired cats tangle and mat free. The Shedding Blade also aids in the reduction of shedding and hairball problems. Use in long strokes to remove dead and shedding hair.

Shed Ender De-Shedding Brush $8.99 Shed Ender De-Shedding Brush is for your pet to help eliminate unwanted shedding on your furniture or rugs and any of the other places you don’t want to find fur. This shed ending tool is gentle for both cats and dogs or any other pet you think will shed. This shed ender tool is not a brush but a small comb that you stroke across the pet’s coat as to eliminate any unwanted shedding on your household items or clothing. The Shed Ender De-Shedding Brush is held firmly at a 90 degree angle to the area you want to comb for the optimum removal of the shedding hair.

Four Paws Shedding Comb For Pets $3.95 Four Paws Shedding Comb Recommended by Professional Groomers Will Remove All Loose Hair From Your Pet's Coat. The Longer Teeth Which Are Spaced Further Apart Penetrate The Coat Where The Loose Hair Is Accumulated, Thus Allowing The Hair To Be Collected By The Closer Grade Of Teeth. Features A Comfortable Wooden Handle. Recommended For All Coats. Search_Phrases: Dog Grooming Aids,Dog Coat Grooming,Pet Shedding Comb,Pets Combs,Loose Hair Removal,Pet Products,Four Paws,Four Paws Shedding Comb For Pets

Safari Comb Shedding for Long Hair 7in $11.99 The Long Teeth Penetrate Deep Into The Undercoat, While The Short Teeth Collect The Loose Hair. The Smooth Rounded Teeth Are Gentle To The Skin. For Heavily Matted Hair, Use This Comb And A Safari Rake Or Slicker To Remove Mats Prior To Bathing.

Safari Comb Shedding for Short Hair 7in $11.99 The Long Teeth Penetrate Deep Into The Undercoat, While The Short Teeth Collect The Loose Hair. The Smooth Rounded Teeth Are Gentle To The Skin. For Heavily Matted Hair, Use This Comb And A Safari Rake Or Slicker To Remove Mats Prior To Bathing.

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Millers Forge Deluxe Shedding Comb $17.29 Millers Forge Deluxe Shedding Comb is an effective pet product that reduces and prevents and manages shedding before it starts. Specifically designed for the double-coat breeds Shedding comb is an excellent tool for breaking up and removing mats. This deluxe pet product features ergonomic high-strength plastic handle and high quality rust-resistant steel teeth. It comes with a special skip tooth design that helps lift out loose hair. While the long teeth penetrate deep into the undercoat the short teeth collect all the loose hair. Type: Fur Clippers & Accessories

Millers Forge Vista Shedding Blade $7.99 Millers Forge Vista Shedding Blade will control the pet hair in your home and on your clothings with regular use. Removes loose hair and leave your pet with a shiny, lustrous coat. SMALL: For Small Dogs and Cats MEDIUM: For Medium Size Dogs LARGE: For Large Dogs and Horses

.Jw gripsoft shedding blade gets rid of dead and shedding hair. the super-effective curved “blade” design is safe to use and easy on sensitive skin. $6.86 .Jw gripsoft shedding blade gets rid of dead and s

Safari Cat Shedding Comb $11.99 The special skip tooth design lifts out loose hair. The long teeth penetrate deep into the undercoat, while the short teeth collect the loose hair. The smooth rounded teeth are gentle to the skin. It is ideal for heavily matted hair, use this comb and a Safari rake or slicker to remove mats.

Shopzeus USA zeusd1EPST1248221 Safari Shedding Comb Short Hair Breeds $29.67 The Shedding comb is an excellent tool for breaking up and removing mats The special skip tooth design lifts out loose hair The long teeth penetrate deep into the undercoat while the short teeth collect the loose hair The smooth rounded teeth are gentle to the skin For heavily matted hair use this comb and a Safari rake or slicker to remove mats prior to bathing

Jw Pet Shedding Blade 65008 $11.99 The curved blade design is safe to use and easy on sensitive skin. Regular use will help prevent matting. Also helps to reduce excessive hair shedding on furniture and rugs. Brushing also massages the skin and releases natural oils for coat beauty. Household , Pet , Dogs , Grooming

Wooden Shedding Comb – black and silver $4.2 For A Well Groomed Appearance Pets Need to Be Combed and Brushed Regularly. It Is Important to Comb the Pet’s Entire Coat Before Bathing Or Stripping. This Comb Is Specifically Designed to Remove the Loose Hair From Your Pet’s Coat When Shedding. The Longer Teeth Which Are Spaced Further Apart Penetrate the Coat Where the Loose Hair Is Accumulated, Allowing the Hair to Be Collected By the Closer Teeth. Product is made with Metal and Wood.Color: black and silverSize:  1 x 3.5 x 10