Hair loss is one of the most common problems in existence. According to statistics, roughly 50% of men over the age of 50 experience some form of hair loss. Additionally, 50% of women will experience some noticeable hair loss at some point in life. This makes the hair loss industry worth about $3.5 billion. Unfortunately, the reality is that many hair loss treatments or products are not effective.
There are many old wives’ tales about hair loss or thinning hair. It’s easy to distinguish some real facts from made up nonsense, but some “theories” are engrained in popular culture, so it’s hard to know what to believe. Why does hair loss occur? Is there any one thing or person to blame? Continue reading to learn about the myths and facts of hair loss.
Everyone Goes Bald By 50: Myth
Obviously, this is far from true and it is completely fiction. Both men and women can experience pattern baldness at any age because baldness knows no age. The American Hair Loss Association states that 66% of American men will experience some sort of baldness by age 35. About 85% of men have significantly thinning hair by age 50. On the other hand, some men have thick hair well into their 70s!
Mistreating Your Hair Can Cause Hair Loss: Fact
According to research, over shampooing your hair can increase the risk of hair loss. The same thing applies if you overwork your hair. Frequent straightening, aggressive brushing or combing, and dying your hair can weaken hair strands and follicles, which can cause hair troubles later in life. Additionally, chemicals in hair care products can weaken both the outside and inside of hair fibers!
Wearing Hats Will Increase Baldness: Myth
Lots of people say that wearing a hat will cause baldness, but don’t rustle the feather in your fedora because this is not true. The only way that a hat could possibly cause hair loss is if it was so incredibly tight on your head that it was pulling out all of your hair. And the hat would have to pull out a lot of hair to cause permanent hair loss.
We Lose Hair Every Single Day: Fact
Natural hair loss occurs every single day. There are roughly 100,000 hairs on the average human head, and it’s common to lose 50-100 hairs naturally every day. The amount of strands lost per day will vary form person to person, and it may be more prevalent in people with longer hair. The good news is that you typically produce more hair than you lose. Once you start to produce less hair than you lose, though, start taking preventive measures to preserve the hair you have.
Pluck One Gray Hair And Two Grow Back: Myth
It’s a scary reality when you start seeing those gray or white hairs in the mirror. You want to pluck them out as soon as you see them. Some people don’t pluck because they are afraid that more will grow back. This is a complete myth. The reality is that if you pluck out one gray hair, another gray hair will grow back in its place. Pigment cells are no longer producing pigment, so that shiny white hair will appear again. Hair turns gray when pigment cells die. Embrace the gray and don’t increase the risk of more hair loss by dying your hair with chemicals.
Stress Will Make Hair Fall Out: Fact
Stress is one of the primary contributing factors to hair loss. According to several studies, stress can actually push hair follicles into a “resting” phase, so they won’t produce new hair strands. Living in a constant state of stress will cause hair to fall out more easily, and you’ll notice this if you brush, comb, or even wash your hair. Experts say that many stress-related conditions are linked to hair loss conditions like alopecia areata.
Baldness Comes From The Mother’s Side: Myth
This is a myth that is a classic old wive’s tale, so don’t blame your mother if you are experiencing hair loss. The future of your hair is generally determined by genetics from both sides of your family. Research states that the primary baldness gene is on the X chromosome, which men get from mothers, but there are other factors at play. You end up with a mix of both your parents’ hair genes, so look to see if there are balding people on both sides of the family if you want to get a glimpse at your future hair situation.
Alopecia Areata Affects Men And Women: Fact
Both men and women can experience the hair loss effects of alopecia areata. This condition primarily affects the scalp and occurs because of an autoimmune disorder. What happens is that your immune system attacks the hair follicles, and that causes hair loss. There is some good news, though. Scientists say that the damage caused to hair follicles is not always permanent and can be remedied with the right treatment plan.
