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Myth:
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Male pattern baldness is genetically transferred from the mother.
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Fact:
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The gene or combination of genes that cause baldness are not yet known, however they may be passed to a child from either parent, not just the mother. Male pattern hair loss usually begins at age 18 to 20 and females begin at ages 45 to 55. Female hair loss is passed genetically from the male parent.
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Myth:
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You should not worry about losing 100 hairs a day, it’s normal.
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Fact:
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If you don’t have male pattern baldness this statement can be considered true. However, if you are beginning to show
signs of balding
or already have
male pattern baldness,
then 100 hairs a day is of concern. The reason? As the hairs are being shed by the shrinking follicles, the new hairs will be progressively thinner and the hairs will become finer. Eventually the follicles will stop producing hair.
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Myth:
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If I don’t cut my hair it will just continue growing.
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Fact:
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Unfortunately no. The eventual length of your hair is predetermined by its natural growth cycle. Your hair may have a naturally long or short growth cycle at which point it will be shed. Nutrition does play a role here.
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Myth:
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Wearing hats causes hair loss.
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Fact:
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The only time that wearing hats may be of concern is if they are so tight that blood circulation is affected. The likelihood of this occurring is minimal. Hats may cause some minor hair breakage or split ends. However, be sure to wash your hair as excess sweat, dirty hair and a build-up of skin particles can clog pores.
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Myth:
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Bald men are sexy.
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Fact:
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If it works for you don’t read any further!
The evidence doesn’t support the fact that bald men have excess testosterone or hormone levels. Similarly, the belief that bald men are more virile than men with a full head of hair is not supported scientifically.
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Myth:
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Washing your hair too often will make you go bald.
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Fact:
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There is no problem with washing, combing, dyeing or shampooing your hair. It’s usually the site of lost hair in the sink that makes a person feel that washing is the cause. A certain amount of hair loss is normal. Be careful about using excessive chemicals, relaxants or hot combs that will damage hair.
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Myth:
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Shaving or cutting your hair will make it grow back faster and thicker.
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Fact:
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This myth may originate from the fact that hair is thicker at the base and may give the appearance of being thicker after cutting or shaving. This is only temporary. Hair grows at an average rate of half an inch per month and cutting or shaving will have no effect on the number of hairs that sprout from follicles.
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Myth:
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Using hair dryers will cause hair loss.
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Fact:
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Using hair dryers at high temperatures or holding them too close can damage or burn your hair and possibly even damage the hair follicle. Using hair dryers properly will not cause hair loss.
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Myth:
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Brushing your hair will cause hair loss.
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Fact:
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Excessive brushing will damage your hair, brush it or comb it in place and leave it. Brushing your hair is the leading cause of split ends and hair breakage.
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Myth:
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Can you increase the number of hair follicles with drugs, massage, natural treatments, diet or other methods?
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Fact:
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No, the number of hair follicles and their diameter is hereditary. You cannot alter the quantity of hair follicles. What is in your control is the ability to prevent and treat the follicle-killing effects of
DHT.
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Myth:
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If you stand on your head it will help reduce hair loss.
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Fact:
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The belief here is that increased blood flow will help rejuvenate your scalp. Specialists agree that this has no impact on hair loss as follicles need more than blood flow to grow hair.
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Myth:
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Clogged follicles causes hair loss.
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Fact:
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A clean scalp is important but the real problem with hair loss is occurring below the skins surface. The roots in the cells are about 4 or 5 millimeters (1/8 th inch) below the skin. Anything on the surface of the skin at the hair follicles has little to do with whether the follicle is going to grow.
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Myth:
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The lack of sex will cause hair loss.
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Fact:
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Even though a number of people would hope that this is true, it’s not. There is no evidence to indicate that either the lack of sex, or excessive sex will cause or help hair to grow. Hair growth and sex are unrelated.
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