Myth or Fact: Wearing Hats Cause Hair Loss
There’s a lot of speculation about what causes hair loss. From thanking your dad for poor genetics to improper hair care, there are MANY reasons you’re experiencing hair loss, but is your favorite hat the culprit? Let’s find out!
Understanding Hair Loss
Experiencing hair loss is highly distressing for men and women alike. There are various reasons you may be experiencing hair loss, but before we jump into busting myths, let’s talk about common causes of hair loss:
- Genetics is the most common cause of hair loss in men and women. You probably have it in your genes if your lineage has multiple people with thinning hair or naked scalps.
- Alopecia , an umbrella term for varying conditions characterized by hair loss, is also a widespread cause of hair loss.
- Aging is a natural process that can impact our hair follicles as we age.
- Hormonal Changes such as menopause and pregnancy can cause hair loss.
- Underlying Medical Conditions , including thyroid issues, autoimmune diseases, and scalp infections, can also cause hair loss.
There are a few other surprising but uncommon reasons you may be experiencing hair loss, which you can learn more about here: 10 Surprising Reasons for Hair Loss.
Your Favorite Hat & Hair Loss
Two things frequently come up when it comes to hat-wearing and hair loss.
Traction Alopecia
Hair loss brought on by persistent tension on the hair follicles is called Traction Alopecia. You may have heard that many women in the military experience Traction Alopecia because they consistently need their hair pulled back into tight buns or ponytails. Traction alopecia can also occur if you frequently wear ill-fitting headgear like a too tight helmet, which is where the hat-related hair loss myth originated. Hair loss can be avoided by wearing headgear and hats that fit your head correctly.
Scalp Breathability
A common misconception is that wearing hats regularly can block the scalp’s ability to breathe and cause hair loss. Our bloodstream and a healthy blood flow provide nutrients to the hair follicles. Thus, the scalp doesn’t need air to develop healthy hair.
Myth BUSTED!
Hats can benefit your hair and scalp health by shielding the scalp from UV radiation, dust, and pollution. A frequent misconception is that long-term hair use causes hair loss, but the evidence says otherwise. The pressure of a hat does NOT damage the hair follicles, meaning wearing a hat doesn’t directly cause hair loss. While frequently wearing a too-tight hat can lead to hair breakage, it’s not the main cause of hair loss.
Talk to the scalp experts!
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