6 Myths About Hair Loss

It affects Prince William, it affects superstar Sean Connery, it affects the very best of us – it’s hair loss, and if you’re male, there’s a 50% chance that it will affect you by your 50th birthday, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Hair loss is a complicated subject. There are many different hair disorders and causes for balding, and with countless myths surrounding why balding happens, how to stop it, and where it comes from, hair loss is an overwhelming issue. But to help settle some of the chaos, confusion, and questions, here are six of the most popular myths about hair loss, rebutted:

1. Myth: Hair Loss Only Happens To Men
Hair loss happens to half of men, but it also affects millions of women at some point their lifetime. According to the National Health Services, about 8 million women in the UK experience Alopecia, otherwise known as hair loss, and 50 percent of women experience great hair loss after giving birth.

An Alopecia UK spokesperson and nurse at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Jackie McKillop, told the National Health Services that losing hair can take a toll on many aspects of women’s lives.

“For women, there is a social stigma attached to going bald,” McKillop said. “Hair loss can affect your sensuality and how you perceive yourself. There are usually emotional trials and tribulations when it happens.”

Luckily, McKillop said there are solutions and strategies to help deal with hair loss, such as Minoxidil products. Minoxidil topical supplement is proven to treat hair loss and baldness in both men and women. Minoxidil for women is generally formulated with 2% rather than 5%, but check with a doctor to verify what’s best for you. Most individuals who use topical Minoxidil experience slowing or stopping of hair loss and some individuals regain hair loss. McKillop said it’s important to remain positive, be patient and talk to others in order to gain support.

2. Myth: Balding Only Happens To Seniors
As men age, they become more likely to experience hair loss, however, hair loss can happen to men as early as the late teen years. One third of 30-year-old men will experience hair loss, and 50 percent of men will experience baldness by the age of 50. Balding can be detrimental to one’s self esteem at any age, but according to dermatologists, there are solutions to hair loss:

• Hair transplants are a permanent solution to baldness. The transplant surgery includes moving existing scalp hair to balding areas of the scalp. Although extreme, hair transplants are an effective way to permanently regain hair.
• Minoxidil products may both slow down and reverse the signs of hair loss. Dermatologists recommend both topical Minoxidil and oral Minoxidil to men and women experience hair loss.
• Lifestyle changes may help slow down hair loss. Proper nutrition, exercise, hair and scalp care, along with several natural supplements like Biotin and Saw Palmetto may help reduce balding and regain hair loss.

3. Myth: The Balding Gene Comes From The Mother’s Side
You’ve heard the old saying, “If your grandfather on your mother’s side is bald, then the mother’s son will be bald too,” but don’t go blaming your mom just yet. While the gene that causes baldness usually comes from the X chromosome, hair loss may also come from the Y chromosome, otherwise known as your father’s DNA. If your father has experienced hair loss in his life, you may also receive the gene that causes hair loss. There are other factors and disorders that may come from either the mother or father’s genes that contribute to balding:

• Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself. Alopecia areata tends to cause round, bald patches on the scalp and can affect healthy individuals.
• Cicatricial alopecia is a disease that ruins hair follicles and forms scar tissue on the scalp, preventing hair regrowth. Cicatricial alopecia is rare, but tends to affect healthy individuals.
• Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia tends to affect women of African descent. Usually beginning in the beginning of the scalp and progressing outward, central centrifugal can occur over a long period of time or very quickly.

4. Myth: Hats Provoke Baldness
Many people point the finger at hats for contributing to baldness; however, it is quite unlikely that a baseball cap will cause hair loss. Maria Miteva, a University of Miami physician, told Livescience.com that wearing hats is not directly correlated to balding. “In my opinion wearing hats does not cause hair loss,” Miteva said. “But wearing tight headgear could cause other kinds of problems. If the hat is particularly tight, it could break the hair follicles, and cause bald patches (also called friction alopecia). But friction alopecia is temporary, and the hair grows back once the hat stress is removed.” This means, the occasional baseball cap isn’t likely to cause hair loss, but tight and irritating hats may cause hair breakage at the follicle, so it’s best to avoid irritating headwear.

5. Myth: There Is No Solution To Hair Loss
Some believe balding is inevitable and irreversible. However, dermatologists and researchers have found that there are certain products, treatments and hair loss medications that have been proven to regrow hair. The American Academy of Dermatology lists several treatments for hair loss:

• Minoxidil topical supplements have been proven to stimulate hair growth and may help regain hair.
• Thyroid supplements and medication may also treat hair loss, being that certain types of balding and hair loss stem from thyroid complications.
• Hair transplant, a surgery that moves existing hair to balding areas on the scalp, is a permanent solution to baldness.

6. Myth: Hair Products Cause Baldness
While harsh hair care products like bleach or relaxers may damage hair or cause breakage, most hair products like styling gel, shampoo or hairspray will not cause hair loss.

To best care for hair and scalp, use natural based hair care products, and if hair has already began thinning or to help prevent thinning, utilise a proven treatment method like topical Minoxidil to ensure a lasting, thick head of hair.

Find Minoxidil products at BIOVEA.

References
Dermatology, A. A. (2015, January 1). Diseases and treatments. Retrieved February 16, 2015, from American Academy of Dermatology

Eveleth, R. (2012, March 12). Will Hats Make You Go Bald? Retrieved February 16, 2015, from Live Science

Services, N. H. (2013, September 30). Women and Hair Loss: Coping. Retrieved February 16, 2015, from National Health Services Choices