Hair loss myths abound. You’ve likely heard many of them yourself. Let’s debunk a few of these and get you some straight information on hair loss.
Myth 1: 100 strokes of the hairbrush daily will create healthier hair.
This myth has been around since your grandparents’ days. It was widely believed that 100 strokes of a good hairbrush would fix any hair loss issue by creating healthier hair.
Unfortunately, excessive hair brushing can actually break hairs, contributing to a thinner head of hair. You can also end up pulling hairs completely out of their follicle because of knots and tangles. So, experts recommend that you only brush to style your hair and never brush hair when it is wet! Wet hair is better handled by a wide comb.
While brushing doesn’t nourish the hair, you can use hair care products that will. Look for shampoos and treatments that contain hair healthy herbal extracts and nutrients. Products like SureThik Shampoo and Treatment will allow your scalp to absorb nutrition directly.
Myth 2: Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments.
This is also generally false. While perms and colors do damage your hair in order to get you the desired effect (curls or color), they should not cause permanent hair loss. The only way that these kinds of treatments can cause permanent hair loss is through chemical burning of the scalp. However, today’s perms and colors are not the same as they were even a decade ago.
The same cannot be said of chemical relaxing products, which may be called “perms” as well. There are documented cases of these products resulting in damage to the scalp. Once the scalp is burned by either chemicals or other agents, hair will not grow through the scar tissue. This kind of hair loss is definitely permanent.
Myth 3: A healthy woman will never have hair loss.
Our last myth is false too. A healthy woman can have hair loss for a variety of reasons. Not the least of these is the dreaded post-pregnancy shedding, which usually arrives three to four months after the baby is born. All those lovely pregnancy hormones encourage the growth of your little one, and that meant that your hair follicles grew continually instead of going into their regular “resting” phase.
Androgenic hair loss – the most common kind – can and will occur in healthy women as well. This is another kind of hair loss that can benefit from topical products like shampoos and treatment serums. So, while hair loss can be an indicator of some other kind of health issue, it doesn’t have to be. But, as with any health symptom, if you have any concerns, talk to your health professional.
