Excessive Hair Brushing: Good or Bad?
You have probably heard it said by some people that the hair has to be brushed, at least, for 100 strokes per day.
One begins to wonder if that is not rather excessive.
As it is often said, "Too much of everything is bad.
" The same applies to the human hair.
Involving yourself in excessive brushing could result in alopecia; moderation is the key.
However, the term "excessive" varies from one type of hair to another.
For fine hair, 30 to 50 strokes per day is enough, but between 50 and 100 strokes may be needed for thick hair.
When brushing, it is essential that you go for brushes that will not give you problems.
It is important to first disentangle your hair before brushing to avoid hairloss.
Also to avoid hair damage, only brush when your hair is dry.
In fact, if it is extremely necessary to brush when it is wet, a wide-toothed comb must be used for the purpose.
If possible, hair must be brushed with a comb made of wood, as it would not generate any static electricity, which might damage the hair.
It is also a good practice to brush in all directions taking turns - this ensures overall nourishment of the hair.
You can actually promote hair growth by brushing as the hair follicles are thus strengthened.
Moreover, there are believers of the fact that brushing leads to the stimulation of necessary oils such as sebum, which helps in enhancing the strength of the hair.
In addition to using proper hair-brushing to prevent hair loss, Ayurveda also provides another means.
Certain shampoos with strong chemical properties cause alopecia by stripping your hair off the essential oils and nutrients, but Ayurvedic, natural shampoos like soapnuts and Shikakai boiled together in water provide a great alternative.
Massaging your scalp with coconut or mustard oil a minimum of one time a week could help keep hair loss at bay.
Amla powder, a natural anti-oxidant and rich source of Vitamin C, can also be soaked in water with Henna and lemon juice to be used as a conditioner.
Additionally, the "bhringaraj" herb is widely regarded as the magic potion for human hair.
It is known for preventing hair-loss apart from promoting growth of new hair.