Simulation results as well as experimental data indicate that full stretching of flexible polyelectrolytes will not occur under experimentally realizable conditions. Using density-dependent swelling exponents ν(ϕ) as suggested by Stevens and Kremer from the results of a MD simulation study, we present an Alexander-de Gennes-like scaling picture for the behaviour of charged brushes. The brush height is found to become dependent on the grafting density as soon as internal stretching is incomplete. For a particular anchoring technique used in experimental studies the grafting density itself becomes dependent on the chain length. The resulting modified overall chain length dependence of the brush height is discussed.