Hair loss now linked to 1 common hair product
Losing hair can be stressful and it’s something that can occur with various treatments and medications such as chemotherapy or some oral medicines, however, for some people it occurs without a specific explanation. Age, nutrition and genetic disposition can all be to blame, but a hair restoration specialist has revealed another common and surprising reason that can cause hair loss.
If you’ve been shedding more strands than usual lately, your hairbrush could be the unexpected culprit hiding in plain sight. According to hair restoration specialist Dr Cinik, not cleaning this everyday tool properly can cause a surprising amount of damage to both your scalp and your hair. Dirty hairbrushes could secretly be causing your hair to fall out, and the doctor has warned that thousands of us could be overlooking this simple hygiene mistake.
Dr Cinik said: “Most people are religious about washing their hair but completely forget the brush. Yet this small habit can make a big difference to scalp health and even hair density over time.”
The hair specialist explained that there tends to be hidden grime behind your hairbrush, meaning that every time you brush your hair, “you transfer oil, dead skin cells, styling products, and environmental dirt onto the bristles”.
Over days and weeks, these residues build up into a sticky film that harbours bacteria and fungi, which is then potentially transferred to your scalp.
The doctor explained: “It’s essentially like using a dirty sponge on your scalp every morning.
“That build-up can clog follicles, block natural oil flow and spread microbes that irritate the scalp. The result is inflammation, itchiness, dandruff, and in some cases, hair shedding.”
According to Dr Cinik, those with oily scalps, fine hair, or curly textures are particularly at risk because their brushes tend to trap more sebum [the skin’s natural oils] and product residue.
He added: “The finer the hair, the easier it is for grease to travel down the shaft and coat your brush – and curly hair holds onto styling creams and gels that cling to bristles far longer than you’d think.”
The doctor went on to advise how often you should wash your hairbrush, Dr Cinik recommends giving your brush a thorough clean once a week, though some hair types may benefit from twice-weekly washes.
“If you use dry shampoo, heat protectant or hairspray regularly, weekly cleaning is non-negotiable,” he added.
Dr Clinik went on to say that many people only realise the importance of cleaning their brushes when they notice their hair getting greasy within a day or two of washing.
So keeping your hairbrush clean is likely to make a big difference to your hair becoming dirty quickly after washes, as well as having a positive effect on your scalp and hair health.
