How Can Follicles Be Unclogged?

Dr. Rassman-

Is it possible for hair gels or styling products to have any effect on hair thinning? Could they hasten the hair-loss/thinning process? I recently read on your website that chemicals could possibly seep into hair follicles. How can these follicles be cleared out or “unclogged”? Thank you for your time and insight.

It would be unusual for hair gels to be the cause of hair loss/thinning. Yes, certain chemicals can seep into your follicles and cause damage, but these are not the simple typical over-the-counter products you see at the drug store on the shelf, but things like dyes and chemicals that straighten or color the hair. The chemical has to be toxic to your follicles to impact their growth or the character of the hair. Good washing should suffice to keep your scalp clean of sebum and other oils.