Just like almost everything else about our bodies, our hair changes as we age too. Almost all of us will develop gray or white hair eventually, but many of us will also be confronted with thinning or balding hair. Hair loss myths abound about the causes, and we’re here to set the record straight on a few of them.
Blame Your Mom’s Dad
The primary gene responsible for male and female pattern baldness is passed from mother to child, but don’t go thinking your mom is responsible just yet. According to U.S. News & World Report, if your father displays signs of balding, you’re more likely to face the same issue than someone whose father is not balding.
Hair Loss is Always Irreversible and Permanent
While inherited pattern baldness is typically progressive and permanent, other causes for thinning and shedding hair might not be. Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist at Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic, points out that nutritional deficiency can play a large role in temporary balding. Iron and zinc are just two of the nutrients crucial for healthy hair growth, and they also happen to be fairly common deficiencies, particularly in women. A lack of these minerals can make your hair brittle and more prone to falling out.
You Wash Your Hair Too Much
Alarmed by the stray hairs you see on the shower floor? The most probable cause is simply that those were hairs on their way out anyway. The average person loses around 50 to 100 hairs each day, so vigorous shampooing just helps slough those hairs off a little earlier. Keep in mind also that wet hair is very fragile, so brushing your hair right after a shower can lead to breakage and an alarming number of hairs on the floor instead of on your head.
Your Hat is Making You Bald
The story goes that hats can “smother” your hair and speed up or even cause hair loss. Men’s Health reports that a very tight cap might lead to traction alopecia where the hat puts excessive pressure on your head. In other words, the pressure from the hat can cause thinning hair. But for the average person who wears an appropriately fitted cap, this isn’t a cause for concern.
So, what does cause hair thinning and loss? Well, there’s no single cause that applies to everyone. The Mayo Clinic says it can be caused by genetics, hormonal changes, and some medical conditions and treatments. If you’re worried about losing your hair, don’t pull out the rest of it in frustration while Googling possible explanations. Instead, consult a hair loss specialist for advice and treatment options.
Do you think you may be suffering from hair loss? At Custom Hair Tampa Bay, we take in to account the cause of hair loss and customize the best hair replacement solution for you. To schedule a free consultation at one of our three studios click here.
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Sources
Huguenin, Patrick. “Don’t Believe These Baldness Myths.” Men’s Health. April 07, 2017. Accessed October 01, 2017. https://www.menshealth.com/style/male-hair-loss-baldness-myths.
Chia, Jessica. “10 Myths About Thinning Hair.” Prevention. September 09, 2015. Accessed October 01, 2017. https://www.prevention.com/beauty/myths-about-thinning-hair-and-hair-loss.
Green, Dennis. “The 6 biggest misconceptions everyone has about hair loss.” Business Insider. April 28, 2016. Accessed October 01, 2017. http://www.businessinsider.com/misconceptions-people-have-about-balding-2016-4.
“Hair loss: Why you’re balding, what you can do.” Mayo Clinic. July 06, 2016. Accessed October 01, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/basics/causes/con-20027666.
Haupt, Angela. “What Causes Hair Loss? 9 Myths About Baldness.” U.S. News Health. February 22, 2011. Accessed October 01, 2017. https://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/mens-health/articles/2011/02/22/what-causes-hair-loss-9-myths-about-baldness.
Patel, Arti. “Hair Loss Myths: Are These 10 Common Hair Beliefs True Or False?” HuffPost Canada. July 25, 2013. Accessed October 01, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/07/24/hair-loss-myths_n_3611709.html.
Swalin, Rachel. “10 Myths About Women’s Hair Loss.” Health.com. February 10, 2015. Accessed October 01, 2017. http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20872506,00.html.