and Health

We often come across many myths about hair loss that just don’t seem to go away. While it is important to remain informed about the latest trends in hair loss treatments and technologies, it is also essential to recognize and separate common hair loss myths from facts in order to take enlightened decisions regarding your health. In this post, we will be debunking some of the most well-known hair loss myths and separating facts from fiction.

Myth 1: Hair Loss is a Problem Facing Only Men

This is perhaps the most popular myth propagated by the media. While it is true that men are more likely to suffer from hair loss than women, women too can suffer from hair loss. It is speculated that up to 40% of women in the USA suffer from hair loss at some point in their lives. While the cause may be attributed to genetics in both genders, women undergo hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth or menopause, which can be a contributing factor in hair loss.

Myth 2: Wearing Hats or Using Hair Dryers Causes Baldness

Hats and hair dryers are no more the culprit for hair loss than the sun or the moon. While it may appear that covering the head or regularly using a hair dryer would cause hair loss, there is no scientific evidence that supports this myth.

The more likely cause of hair loss is genetics and hormone levels. The only danger from hats is from various forms of traction alopecia, which is due to pulling the hair too tight, or putting too much stress on the hair by constantly wearing tight headgear.

Myth 3: Stress Causes Hair Loss

A general consensus among medical professionals is that stress itself does not cause hair loss, but it can aggravate existing hair loss situations.

Most hair loss that occurs due to stress is temporary and can be reversed. Stress can give rise to several different types of hair loss patterns such as male pattern baldness, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and trichotillomania, all of which are temporary.

Myth 4: Eating Greasy Foods Causes Baldness

This myth is completely unfounded and does not have any proven scientific backing. Eating greasy food does not have any effect on your hair growth or hair loss. Hair is made from proteins, so making sure that you have an adequate intake of proteins through your diet is key to maintaining healthy hair.

Myth 5: Hair Loss is Reversible

Hair loss is a condition that is highly individualized with respect to diagnosis and treatment. It is not a one-size-fits-all situation like we imagine it to be. While some cases of hair loss can be reversed with certain treatments, most cases tend to be progressive and irreversible.

Key Takeaways

Hair loss is not just a problem facing men. Women too can suffer from hair loss at some point in their lives, the cause of which could be attributed to genetics, hormones or stress. Using hair dryers, hats and eating greasy food does not cause baldness. Stress can aggravate existing hair loss conditions, but is not the primary cause in most cases. In most cases, hair loss is incurable, but several treatments may help reverse hair loss or at least slow down the rate of hair loss.