Hair Care During the Pandemic

              With social isolation, some people are taking better care of themselves, taking time to care for their skin, hair, and body, doing treatments at home, while others are not as diligent.  Hair health has been affected during this pandemic period, with increased stress and anxiety. One of the questions that arise is regarding hair, whether washing it less frequently causes hair loss. According to natural hair therapist Paula Breder, stress and other types of scalp diseases can cause hair loss, but cleanliness is also essential for hair health. "The ideal is to wash your hair at least three times a week. Those with oily hair can wash it every day with sebum-regulating actives," explains Paula. "It's important to pay attention to products suited for each hair type and to know how to wash your hair properly to clean the strands," she points out. "The correct way is to massage the scalp gently. In times of pandemic, cleaning the strands is essential, both for safety reasons and to prevent hair loss," Paula adds. For dermatologist Irene Baldi, cleaning the scalp with the appropriate shampoo helps remove small flakes, reduces oiliness, and minimizes the action of fungi and bacteria. "When the hair is dirty, the pore becomes more blocked, which can slightly compromise hair growth and lead to hair loss," Irene states. According to the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, hair hygiene does not have a strict rule; it depends on the patient's hair type and the region they live in, but cleaning is certainly important. "It depends on the hair type – dry or oily – the climate, age, whether women are in menopause, and various factors that can influence hair health," explains dermatologist Karina Mazzini. Therefore, in these times of social isolation, if the situation worsens and there is an increase in hair loss or other symptoms that may be classified as hair diseases, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist. According to the dermatologist, in addition to daily hair care, there are medications that can assist in more effective treatment. "For those with androgenetic alopecia (genetic baldness); alopecia areata (inflammation that causes hair loss in certain areas); seborrheic dermatitis (which can appear on the scalp), among others, oral medications such as Minoxidil, Spironolactone, and Alphaestradiol are indicated," the dermatologist recommends. For those who love home care tips, hairstylist Gabi Malini suggests some easy homemade treatments to maintain hair health. One tip is to use apple cider vinegar. It helps to close the cuticles, removes oiliness from the roots, eliminates fungi, and adds shine and softness. "Usage tip: after shampooing, remove excess water and apply it to the hair, let it sit for five minutes, and finish with conditioner or treatment mask," she explains. Another tip is coconut oil, which is an excellent treatment for hair lacking elasticity, dry, and frizzy. "Do an oil treatment by applying it to dry hair, letting it sit for at least four hours, then wash it and before shampooing, apply a conditioner to help seal the cuticles and remove oiliness. Rinse and wash with shampoo as usual," Gabi states. In addition to external care, a healthy diet is important for strengthening the strands.