With elements of adventure, personal stories and medical research, CBC’s “Hairy Tales” dives into untangling hair dilemmas.

We all struggle to get that “perfect hair” that can make or break an entire look. From hair loss to genetic issues, the troubles are endless. And let’s not forget the “bad hair day” concerns we all deal with on an everyday basis. But not anymore. CBC’s The Nature of Things has come up with a new documentary, “Hairy Tales,” to resolve all our hair-related predicaments.

The film is written, directed and produced by Leora Eisen, who is known for her perceptive and gripping storylines. Co-directed by Chris Strikes, “Hairy Tales” will be available on Thursday, March 7, on CBC Gem and broadcast on CBC TV at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. NT).

Delving into the science of hair, the insightful yet entertaining film is about a hair-raising journey that starts in a salon, proceeds to a lab and finally finds itself at a circus. Hosted by Anthony Morgan and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki, the documentary looks at hair issues facing people around the world.

Bringing her passion for science communication and meticulous attention to filmmaking, Eisen has created “Hairy Tales” to dive deeper into the science of hair dilemmas. There are wide-ranging causes, including hair loss, genetic predispositions, and dry and weak hair that contribute to humanity’s hair misery. The film features the hosts exploring all these struggles and what most of the world’s population experience to get perfect hair.

The documentary debunks many myths and unravels some new research around hair. The film takes viewers on an insightful journey, drawing examples from the hosts’ personal lives — Cullis-Suzuki dealt with postpartum hair loss after the birth of her sons and Morgan has a family history of receding hairlines — and meeting with family members and a childhood barber to understand how hair colour, texture and growth are influenced by genetics.

Medical professionals, geneticists, top researchers and even the Guinness World Record Holder for the world’s strongest hair make appearances and share insights into the not-so-straightforward science of hair.

The amazing growth process generated by each of our scalps’ 100,000 follicles is explained by experts, including Dr. Carolyn Goh, a renowned specialist in hair loss who has been bald since she was three years old. Dermatologist Dr. Renée Beach explores the scientific and sociological aspects of hair and explains why do-it-yourself hair hacks popular on social media are so dubious.

Adding adventure to the fun, biological anthropologist Tina Lasisi leads Morgan on a desert expedition to uncover the evolutionary significance of hair as revealed by a prehistoric human scalp. To illustrate the extraordinary strength of human hair, materials expert Marc Meyers challenges him to a “thin hair vs. thick hair” combat.

Stress certainly seem to affect hair growth and contribute to hair loss, but does it? The film features one Canadian researcher who is trying to find out if stress genuinely can cause hair to turn grey, and another scientist who is venturing into “barren territory” by studying the use of stem cells to create a “Botox for baldness.”

Hair concerns are literally top-of-mind and pervasive in today’s world. Taking care of our hair health is not only important for our looks but also for our body’s overall well-being. “Hairy Tales” debunks myths, informs us about recent scientific approaches to vexing hair problems and helps us find a path on our journey to “perfect hair” in a fun and informative way. If you want to embark on a fun adventure and gain a whole headful of insights into the science of hair, add “Hairy Tales” to your binge-watching list for March 2024!

@leoraeisen