Hair Loss: Myths and Truths

Loss of hair is a frequent ailment that can affect not just the scalp but also other parts of the body in addition to the scalp. Alopecia is seen predominantly in adults. On the other hand, it may also affect some children.

As stated by the American Academy of Dermatology, it is considered normal for a person to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. New hair is expected to grow to replace the hair that has fallen out. If this does not take place, you will have hair loss. There are so many misconceptions surrounding male pattern baldness, here are some of the top myths.

Myth: Using shampoo will cause your hair to fall out.

Shampooing does not promote hair loss.  When hair is clean, it looks healthier. When you lather up, it’s common to lose several more hairs.

Myth: Thinning hair is inherited from one’s mother

It’s possible that someone told you that whether or not you’ll maintain your hair depends on the line of the family that your mother comes from, but that’s simply an old wives’ tale. The most prevalent reason for hair loss is due to genetics, and the characteristic of baldness can be inherited from either your mother’s or your father’s side of the family.

Myth: All men go bald by the age of 50

There is no age limit on male pattern baldness. It is crucial to take action as soon as possible since once hair loss begins, it does not stop; nevertheless, the time it first appears varies from person to person. According to the American Hair Loss Association, by the age of 35, approximately 66% of American men experience some form of male pattern baldness. By 50, approximately 85% of men have noticeably thinning hair. These statistics are based on the average rate of hair loss in men between the ages of 35 and 50.

Myth: Exposure to direct sunlight will damage your hair.

Even while sunscreen will continue to be your skin’s best friend, prolonged contact with the sun will not cause your hair to fall out because this is such a hot topic.

Myth: Wearing hats will make you bald

An overwhelming number of people assert that wearing hats can cause or contribute to hair loss; nevertheless, you can relax knowing that the hat you’ve been wearing is not causing any more damage.

Myth: Excessive levels of testosterone is bad

Increased amounts of testosterone will not contribute to hair thinning in men. The susceptibility of hair follicles to the effects of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the lone determining factor in male pattern baldness.

Myth: If you want to keep your hair, you should stop using hair products.

No matter what product you use to gloss, shine, or otherwise tidy up your hair, you do not need to worry about it contributing to male pattern baldness.

Myth: Masturbation renders you bald

The hair on the head will not be affected in any way by masturbation.

Myth: inadequate blood circulation

For hair to grow, the scalp must have adequate blood flow, but the blood in the scalp becomes less robust when hair is lost. However, this reduced blood supply to the scalp is not the cause of male pattern baldness; instead, it is the effect of the condition.

Myth: If you’re under a lot of pressure, your hair will fall out.

Anxiety, traumatic experiences, and mental pressure can undoubtedly play a part in temporary hair loss; however, these factors do not alter male pattern hair loss, which is a permanent medical issue.

Myth: Taking vitamins will prevent hair loss

The claims that vitamins may restore lost hair are true. However, research suggests that consuming excessive vitamin E may hasten hair loss. It has come to light that taking vitamins for hair loss will only be beneficial if the individual in question is genuinely lacking in the nutrient.

Myth: If you get frequent haircuts, your hair will come back denser and quicker.

A person’s haircut does not affect the rate at which their hair grows or the thickness of their hair. Your choice to keep a short haircut or to allow it to grow longer has no bearing on the pace at which it replaces itself; this is true regardless of your preferred hairdo.

Myth: Taking Birth Control Pills Will Make You Lose Your Hair

Historically, there was fear that progesterone-containing birth control medications may cause hair loss because progesterone functions similarly to androgen (male) hormones. On the other hand, more recent iterations of this contraceptive pill have been created mainly as anti-androgen iterations to prevent undesirable side effects such as hair loss.

Additionally, if the hair follicles are not genetically predisposed to be sensitive to DHT, it is improbable that the pill will cause hair loss. If you are concerned that your hair loss is more severe than usual while using an older form of birth control, a simple talk with your doctor should put your mind at ease.

Myth: Regularly Dying and Styling Your Hair Can Cause Baldness.

Hair loss cannot be caused by heat styling tools, alcohol-based treatments, or excessive hair coloring. Any procedure applied to the hair more frequently than necessary can pose a risk to the hair shaft, leading to dehydration, breakouts, and weak strands.

It is possible to promote healthy hair growth by using products that act as protectants while heat styling the hair, hydrating the ends and hair shaft, and washing the hair gently. In addition, wearing your hair in tight hairdos that produce strain at the hair root can result in receding hair over time. Nevertheless, hair growth will resume once the tension is released and proper care is given to the hair.

Conclusion

There is a good chance that you won’t be able to change the fact that your hairline is getting thinner or that you have an expanding bald spot. What you can control, though, is the response that you give to it. To get started, you should learn more about the modern medical procedure of replacing hair, a hair transplant, and other solutions.