Truth Behind the Biggest Hair Loss Myths

Hair loss causes panic for most people. Unfortunately, it’s a fact that most people do inevitably lose hair at some point in their life. That panic and fear might make you question the causes of hair loss and it’s understandable for people to turn to the internet or trust certain hair loss myths. However, some of these common hair loss causes that have been spread around are simply not true and lack factual evidence.

In this article, we’ll seek to shed some light and truth behind the biggest hair loss myths so you will be better informed and can more accurately tackle your hair loss troubles.

Shampooing Your Hair Regularly Causes Hair Loss

This is a common myth that most celebrities have made popular. It is claimed that your hair gets fuller, thicker and shinier if you stop shampooing your hair frequently. This is because most people notice falling hair during washing and they assume that shampooing is the cause. The number of times that hair is washed has not been found to relate to shampooing in any studies that have been carried out.

The truth is, shampooing your hair more frequently cleans it of oil, leaving your scalp feeling fresh with unclogged follicles. This prevents the formation of dandruff, which is something that prevents hair growth.

Hair Loss is Caused by High Testosterone Levels

This is a common myth that most celebrities have made popular. It is claimed that your hair gets fuller, thicker and shinier if you stop shampooing your hair frequently. This is because most people notice falling hair during washing and they assume that shampooing is the cause. The number of times that hair is washed has not been found to relate to shampooing in any studies that have been carried out.

The truth is, shampooing your hair more frequently cleans it of oil, leaving your scalp feeling fresh with unclogged follicles. This prevents the formation of dandruff, which is something that prevents hair growth.

Hair Loss is Caused by High Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is converted by the body into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is what causes damage to the hair follicle. If your body undergoes this process, then you are likely to suffer from hair loss.

In actual fact, the sensitivity of your hair follicles to hormones in your body is what causes hair loss and not your testosterone levels. Sensitivity, on the other hand, is caused by a person’s genetic makeup. Your doctor might prescribe an anti-androgen drug, which inhibits the effects of the hormones on the follicles.

Stress Causes Hair to Fall Out

Although there are particular incidents and chronic illnesses that can be said to cause hair loss, it is not entirely true that stress causes hair loss. According to studies, there are types of hair loss associated with high-stress levels where the hair follicles stop growing, but fortunately, this is temporary.

In actuality, for stress to lead to hair loss, the case has to be intense, such as when you undergo a traumatic experience like a major or chronic illness. This interferes with normal hair growth, resulting in shedding. The condition is called telogen effluvium and can be caused by childbirth. However, it reduces with time as the stress levels gradually lower.

Genetic Makeup

Many people will want to know if there’s any member of your family suffering from a particular condition if you are also suffering from it. However, basing your hair loss condition to your genetic history is just a myth.

The fact of the matter is, several of your ancestor’s genes influence your hair density, which is a polygenic trait. If you want, consult your dermatologist if you have worries after noticing that someone in your family lineage suffers from hair loss. However, that should not be your biggest reason.

Skin Tanning Causes Hair to Fall Off

Some people believe that long periods of time in the sun rapidly influence the rate at which someone loses hair.

However, this isn’t’ the truth: the sun’s UV rays might not be good for your skin and other parts of your body, but they will not lead to hair thinning or baldness. The hair follicles will still perform their normal functions even when you are exposed to direct sunlight. The only challenge is that the hair shaft might be degraded by the sun.

Conclusion

While many myths can be found online, great caution should be taken before you simply believe and act on them. Doing your research will help you determine how harmful or true these myths are.