There are many myths about hair, especially regardingcare and hair loss.

When someone notices that their hair falls out excessively, they enter a situation of stressand start looking everywhere for treatments that help grow hair back.In this search process we can fall into some false ideas that have been spreading.This also happens if we look for information on gray hair, dandruff, the frequency of hair washing or on many other hair topics.

Nevertheless,My recommendation in any situation of this type is to remain calm and go to a dermatology specialist who will diagnose you and explain what is happening.In the case of excessive hair loss, for example, it will be able to tell you if you suffer from alopecia (abnormal hair loss) or physiological loss (a natural response of the body) and recommend effective treatments.

In this article I will show some of theMyths about hair loss and care that I come across the most in my officeand I will try to solve them in the clearest way possible so that you do not fall into them.

Myth 1: "The flaking of the scalp means that it is dry"

Flaking of the scalp, more commonly known as dandruff,It is usually a manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis, a very common dermatological condition that affects the scalp.It can be mild and produce small flakes or be in a severe phase and produce large scales and redness (erythema) on the scalp.It is usually accompanied by itching.

Dandruff flare-ups are very common during seasonal changes and times of increased stress. Your treatment will be medicated shampoos and some lotions.

Myth: "If I wash my hair every day it will fall out more"

In a natural and physiological way, up to 100 hairs can be shed each day, and washing or brushing the hair daily will not worsen this condition.

Hair washing has the function of removing residues such as sebum or flaking and its periodicity will depend on very personal factors such as age, genetics or the time of year.

Nevertheless,If the hair is washed and styled infrequently, the day the hair falls out will be longer.This should not scare us, it is simply because they have accumulated from the previous days.

Although the frequency of washing does not affect hair loss, there are external factors that can cause it, such as the excessive use of irons. Therefore, a responsible and time-spaced use is recommended.

Myth: "Cutting hair frequently will make it grow faster"

This is one of the myths about hair that is most widespread and that I have heard the most from my patients in the consultation.

Hair growth depends on the conditions in which the root of the hair follicles is found, which are located within the skin.In no case will it depend on external factors such as cutting your hair.Instead,factors such as genetics, race or hormones can alter hair growth, as they have a great influence on the hair follicle.

Toodiet, exercise and lifestyleThey will have a direct impact on the hair follicles, as well as on the quality, hair loss and proper growth.

Although the frequency of haircutting does not influence its growth,hair that is cut frequently and appropriately will look healthier and look “thicker” at the ends, because when these are worn they bend, break and look thinner and weaker.

Myth: "Wearing long hair makes it fall more"

The length of the hair does not influence at all in its fall. However, when long hair falls it takes up more volume and we can have the feeling that the amount of fall is greater, when it is not.

The important thing is to wear a hair length that you feel comfortable with and avoid hairstyles with a lot of traction.

This type of hairstyles, such as tight braids or very taut pigtails, are characterized by generating a lot of tension on the scalp.If used too frequently, they can even cause traction alopecia. Although in most cases it is a type of reversible alopecia, if it is not treated in time, it can become chronic.

“Hairstyles with a lot of tension, such as tight braids or pigtails, put a lot of tension on the scalp.If they are used frequently they can cause traction alopecia, which can become chronic "

It is very common to perform these hairstyles on girls and it must be taken into account that they are not free from suffering this type of alopecia.It is advisable to leave their hair down or to style them without much tension.

Myth: "If I pluck the gray hair, more will come out"

How many times have we heard this phrase?

Gray hair is part of the natural aging of hair and its appearance and quantity depend mainly on genetic factors.

If you pluck a gray hair from a follicle, white hair will grow back at that root, butin no case will it cause other follicles to start producing more gray hair.

There are also people who think the opposite, that if you remove a gray hair, less will appear.Nothing is further from reality. Do not pluck your graying hair, as it will not prevent the natural aging process from stopping.

Myth: "Gray hair appears due to stress"

Myths about gray hair are very recurrent in the office.

If this theory were true, almost everyone would have gray hair from college days or even earlier.

As I mentioned in the previous myth,gray hair is a natural sign of hair aging.

We are born with a certain number of follicles on our scalp and in each of them are pigment cells called melanocytes.

Melanocytes contain only two pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin, and from the combination of both, our hair tone arises.

Over time, the melanocytes die and the hair that grows from this follicle will have no pigment and will be completely white.

Although in some people the first gray hairs appear at an early age,the most common is that they begin to appear around the age of 35 in men and in women a little earlier.

It is true thatchronic and sustained stress can accelerate agingand the formation of free radicals, and this could lead to the earlier appearance of gray hair in genetically predisposed people.

Research is currently underway that a balanced diet rich in antioxidants could delay the appearance of gray hair.Nutritional supplements such as Olistic provide these nutrients to the daily diet.

Myth: "Making homemade hair masks will be beneficial"

In my practice I meet many patients who ask me if they can put homemade egg masks on their hair or impregnate their hair with coconut oil.Although there is good intention behind these actions and there is a real concern for taking care of the hair,the only thing that we will achieve with these remedies is to dirty the hair.

"Homemade masks will only get your hair dirty"

Although it is true that some components of certain homemade masks can add shine and help us seal the split ends,do not have the ability to penetrate and repair hair from the inside.

For a mask to penetrate the hair fiber, its ingredients must have a previous preparation, something that cannot be achieved at home.Because,When choosing one, it is essential to take into account the type of hair we have and its composition.

I hope that after reading this article you have understood thatmany beliefs that are discussed about wellness and hair loss are false and lack a scientific basis.Always remember that the most important thing is to consult a dermatology specialist if you notice that something is wrong with your hair or scalp.