MPB and Cosmetics Myths

No. It just doesn't happen. It is important to make a distinction between pharmacologic versus cosmetic actions of any product or treatment. There are many products, which can make the hair 'thicker' or 'fuller', but they have nothing to do with stimulating hair growth or preventing and reversing MPB.

A cosmetic can be defined as either a preparation, such as powder or a skin cream, designed to beautify the body by direct application or as something superficial that is used to cover a deficiency or defect. There are excellent cosmetic preparations for the hair, but none of them promote hair growth.

Not really. Dyeing, as well as all other cosmetic procedures on the hair, has no effect on the growth or loss of the hair unless the chemical and/or physical agents used are injurious to the hair follicles, which rarely occurs. But cosmetic changes to the hair can definitely damage the hair shafts. Chemical and physical agents (bleaches, dyes, heat, etc.) used by the cosmetologist can cause the hair shafts to be more brittle and more easily broken, when they are combed or brushed.

It is also a myth that hair damaged by cosmetic coloring and other procedures takes longer to grow back. Growth of the hair shaft is regulated by the hair follicle, which is deep in the dermis of the scalp and is not affected by hair dyes and other cosmetic procedures. The hair that does grow back won't be brittle, because whatever chemical and physical agents previously used on the hair will not have damaged the re-emerging hair shafts.