Looking at the wisdom of Donguibogam through modern science makes it even clearer. Frequent coloring or perms do not simply damage the hair surface; they can be the main culprits completely disrupting the biomechanical balance of the scalp and hair.
Alkaline agents used in chemical treatments (such as ammonia in dyes and thioglycolic acid in perms) forcibly open the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair, to penetrate inside. In this process, they denature keratin, the core hair protein, and break the disulfide bonds that maintain hair strength. Consequently, hair loses elasticity, breaks easily, and turns brittle and dry. It is just like a building whose framework is shaken by an earthquake.
A bigger problem is the irritation inflicted on the scalp. The scalp is a very sensitive environment, possessing the highest concentration of sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles among our skin. When chemical agents make direct contact, they damage the protective lipid layer, causing moisture loss and leaving the scalp vulnerable to harmful substances. This accelerates scalp inflammatory reactions, causing pruritus, redness, and pain, as well as keratin issues like dandruff.
Furthermore, the scalp hosts a scalp microbiome where various microorganisms live in balance, but chemical treatments disrupt this microbial ecosystem. As specific harmful bacteria proliferate excessively, scalp health can deteriorate further. Such chronic inflammation and irritation have a severe impact on the function of hair follicle cells responsible for hair growth, particularly hair follicle stem cells. Hair follicle stem cells are the engine of hair growth, and if the engine breaks down, healthy hair can hardly grow, can it?
Additionally, hormonal changes such as cortisol caused by stress or irregular lifestyle habits shorten the hair growth cycle or increase the proportion of telogen hair, accelerating alopecia. When blood supply is suboptimal, necessary nutrients and oxygen are not properly delivered to the follicles, causing hair to become thin and weak. The blood and essence emphasized by Donguibogam align directly with adequate nutrient supply, hormonal balance, and healthy blood circulation in modern medicine. Ultimately, hair acts as an elaborate biomarker reflecting the health status of our entire body.
