Hair Health: Myths, Truths, and the Impact of Lifestyle

Hair Myths and Truths Debunked

Dr. Fernanda clarifies several popular beliefs:

• Does stress hinder hair growth? TRUE. Cortisol increases inflammation, thins hair strands, and prevents the absorption of essential vitamins. It's a vicious cycle: stress causes hair loss, and hair loss generates more stress.
• Does birth control in shampoo accelerate growth? MYTH. It has no effect and can harm the scalp, causing itching and inflammation due to chemical destabilization.
• Does a very oily scalp compromise growth? TRUE. Excess sebum and the proliferation of the Malassezia fungus can lead to hair loss.
• What is the ideal washing frequency? Daily is ideal. The scalp is skin and needs to be cleansed. If your hair health allows, alternating days is acceptable, but hygiene is crucial.
• Does trimming split ends make hair grow faster? MYTH. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. Trimming ends only keeps the hair shaft healthy, free of split ends, but doesn't accelerate growth.
• Does cutting hair on a full moon add more volume? MYTH. Hair follows a physiological growth cycle (anagen, catagen, telogen) that is not influenced by lunar phases.
• Should you not wash your hair during menstruation? MYTH. An old belief with no scientific basis. Hygiene should be constant.
• Does diet influence hair health? ABSOLUTELY TRUE! Nutrients are crucial. Proteins (especially red meat, rich in keratin), antioxidants (orange, strawberry, kiwi), and healthy fats (coconut, avocado, nuts rich in selenium and zinc) are fundamental. Deficiency can affect density and growth.
• Do supplements work? YES. There are many effective nutraceuticals (vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants) that help. However, biotin (Vitamin B7) is overestimated, as deficiency is rare and can be supplied with a daily banana.
• Do regular braids accelerate growth? MYTH. Pulling or tugging on hair does not accelerate growth.
• Does hair get used to shampoo? MYTH for the hair shaft, but TRUE for the scalp. Shampoo should be changed according to the needs of the scalp (oiliness, dandruff, etc.).
• Should children not have long hair? MYTH. Hair length does not consume essential nutrients needed for the body's development.

Baldness: An Evolving Challenge

Traditionally associated with men, baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is a growing challenge for women. Although the percentage is still higher among men, 50% of menopausal women and 25-35% of women of childbearing age can develop baldness due to factors such as menopause, aging, stress, and modern lifestyle.

Dr. Fernanda highlights the difference between genetics and epigenetics. Although genetics predispose, epigenetics – our lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, toxin exposure) – are more relevant. We can "put the disease gene to sleep and awaken the health gene" through a conscious lifestyle. Male pattern baldness can be influenced by the maternal chromosome.

With aging, hair becomes thinner, density decreases, and hair follicles age, impacting the health and appearance of the strands.

Gray Hair and Other Specific Conditions

Gray Hair: Causes and Prevention

The appearance of gray hair is influenced by aging (free radicals), stress (which worsens melanin production), and genetics. Graying starts at the root and progresses to the tip. The good news is that for prevention, there are nutraceuticals like Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C, B-Complex Vitamins (B12, B9/folic acid), and PQQ, which can internally inhibit the process. Externally, hair dyes have evolved, becoming safer and with fewer toxic components.

Chemical Damage and Hair Diseases

While modern colorations are gentler, bleaching and straightening are still harmful, causing breakage, thinning, and chemical cuts. As for diseases, Psoriasis on the scalp is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease, linked to emotions and lifestyle, requiring multidisciplinary treatment. Alopecia Areata, popularized by the Will Smith Oscar incident, is another autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss. It has treatment and recovery, but can be recurrent. There are also cicatricial alopecias, where the follicle scars and no new growth occurs, and non-cicatricial alopecias, which are more easily treatable.

Essential Care and Golden Tips

• Extensions and Hairpieces: Laces and clip-in hairpieces generally do not cause harm, provided hygiene is maintained. However, permanent hair extensions can cause traction, inflammation, and hair loss due to weight and difficulty in proper cleaning.
• Sleeping with wet hair: VERY BAD! It creates a warm and humid environment, conducive to the development of fungi on the scalp.
• Dr. Fernanda's golden tip: “The first thing I'm going to tell you is to find a trichologist.” Avoid unproven home remedies or products recommended online without professional advice. Always use a heat protectant before blow-drying your hair and finish with a split end mender. Have a shampoo specific for your scalp, changing it as needed.

For Dr. Fernanda, caring for your hair is an act of love and self-knowledge, directly impacting our happiness and well-being. Prioritizing sleep, a balanced life, and emotional support are pillars for overall health and, consequently, for the vitality of your hair. The journey is one of empowerment, inspiration, and transformation, with each strand telling its own story of strength and care.