Hair loss is usually caused by genuine causes that many people choose to ignore and believe hair loss myths. Read this article to understand the various hair loss myths going around.
Besides the annoyance that comes with hair loss, it also tends to sack the life out of you, whether you are a man or a woman. It can happen in a receding hairline or bald spots; either way, this brings about an unpleasant feeling. And that is not all. Hair loss also affects you psychologically as you begin to think about who is at fault. Some men blame the hats they wore for too long, while some women blame them for too much shampoo they use on their hair. Some even end up blaming their mothers due to genetics.
Many things have been blamed for causing hair loss, and these are just some of the hair loss myths going around out there. When hair loss strikes, it doesn't necessarily mean you have been doing something wrong. Before blaming yourself or things that you think are causing your hair loss, read this article to identify the various hair loss myths that have been going around.
Myths about Hair Loss?
Hair loss may happen due to various genuine causes. However, many people who don't understand the science of hair loss tend to speculate and insinuate the causes of hair loss, which most of the time is not true. Many people even believe that wearing a hat for too long may cause hair loss. Many questions are raised about the cause of hair loss, which sometimes leads people to insinuate things that are not true about hair loss. Myths about hair loss are believable but not true, and these are some of them:
Wearing Hats Leads to Baldness
This is a hair loss myth. Wearing a hat doesn't lead to hair loss as many people think. There is no scientific proof to indicate that putting on a hat may lead to thinning hair. Even if you wear a hat daily, it won't damage your follicles, which are usually responsible for hair growth. Dirty hats may, however, contribute to hair loss because they can cause infections that may affect your scalp. It is therefore foremost that you clean your hat frequently.
Baldness is your Mother's Father's Fault
For a long time now, the blame goes male pattern baldness has lied squarely on mothers. The truth is both your mother and father may contribute to hair loss if the cause of hair loss is due to genetic traits. Before you end up blaming your mother for something she is totally not responsible for, look at both your parents and your brothers and sisters. Your first cousins may even give you a clue on whose lineage you got your hair loss from.
Natural Supplements Can Promote Hair Regrowth
Taking lots of vitamins and minerals cannot help you to regrow hair if you have hair loss. Contrary to what you have heard, herbs like saw palmetto or stinging nettle can not also help you to regrow your lost hair. The remaining hair in your scalp can be maintained by keeping a healthy diet.
Hair Loss Means You're Carrying Around Too Much Testosterone
Too much testosterone flowing in your bloodstream doesn't affect the quality and the quantity of hair that you have on your scalp. What contributes to hair male pattern hair loss, however, is the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone, which causes follicle sensitivity.
Hair Loss Due to Stress
It is quite true that extreme stress may lead to hair loss. Stress may come as a result of traumatic events or an overwhelming emotional feeling. This type of hair loss comes temporary and resolves itself when stress goes away, unlike the male pattern baldness hair loss condition. When your hair loss is because of stress, the hair follicles just stop growing hair for a while. The normal hair regrowth circle goes back to normal once the threat is eliminated.
Baldness Happens From Too Much Sun Exposure
There are plenty of reasons why you need to stay away from direct sunlight but avoiding hair loss is not one of them. Even when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, hair follicles will still continue to grow hair, meaning the sun cannot cause hair to thin. However, exposing your hair to direct sunlight may cause the hair shaft to become brittle over time from degrading.
Also, you can read: What is Alopecia: Treatment, Cause, Symptoms, and Types
Hair Restoration Treatments Don't Work.
One way of preventing hair loss is using hair loss treatments such as medication. Among these drugs is one that is called Finasteride (Propecia), which was approved by FDA - Food and Drug Administration. This type of hair loss medication prevents hair loss by blocking a testosterone-changing enzyme that changes it to DHT in the hair follicles. However, maintaining good results requires you to keep on taking the drug for a lifetime. Failure to take the medication means that hair loss will continue. Another FDA-approved medication is called Rogaine (minoxidil). This type of medication prevents hair loss when you apply it twice daily directly into your scalp. You don't need a prescription from the doctor to use this hair loss-preventing medication. Another hair restoration procedure that is rather expensive but very effective is the hair transplant procedure. However, most of these procedures will not work if the hair loss is due to DHT.
Actual Causes of Hair Loss
The majority of people usually shed 50 to 100 hair strands every day. Since new hair is growing simultaneously, the shedding is hardly noticeable. Hair loss usually happens when no new hair growth replaces the lost ones. Either of the following factors usually causes hair loss:
Family History
One common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition. It happens when a person continues to age in their old age. Another name for this type of hair loss is usually referred to as androgenic alopecia, aka male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually follows a predictable pattern and happens gradually. It occurs in the crown or as overall thinning in the scalp in women. Men, on the other hand, will experience bald spots or receding hairlines.
Hormonal Changes and Medical Conditions
Hormonal changes may cause temporary or permanent hair loss. This type of hair loss may come from childbirth, menopause, or thyroid issues. Hair loss caused by medical conditions includes alopecia areata that causes patchy hair loss, trichotillomania – a hair-pulling disorder, or scalp infections such as ringworm.
See More: Comparison Between FUE vs FUT - Procedure, Advantages, Procedure and Healing
Medications and Supplements
Hair loss may also be caused by side effects of certain drugs that are usually used to treat arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure, heart problems, gout, and depression.
Radiation Therapy to the Head
These drugs change hair growth, and it may not return to normal.
A Very Stressful Event
Although this type of hair loss does not affect the scalp permanently, it happens to individuals who have just undergone a stressful experience, whether physical or emotional. Several months after the event, it occurs as general thinning.
Hairstyles and Treatments
Certain hairstyles may end up causing hair loss because they usually strain the hair follicles. Such hairstyles include cornrows or pigtails. Traction alopecia is a term used to describe this type of hair loss. The hair loss may be permanent if scarring occurs. Hair may also fall out due to permanents and hot-oil hair treatments.
Conclusion
There are many other hair loss myths; these are just some of them. Don't assume that your hair loss is brought about by one or various wrong things you have been doing. It is hard to differentiate facts from hair growth myths if you don't know what causes hair loss. There are certainly unscrupulous individuals and companies that want to keep the hair loss myths alive to capitalize on their clients' ignorance to make profits.
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