Hats and Hair Loss: Is There Really a Correlation?
They say that wearing a hat can cause premature baldness, but is that true? Read more to learn about hats and hair loss and if there really is a correlation now
Hair loss and male pattern baldness are as prevalent as they are poorly understood. Even with billions spent on stopping baldness and so much effort invested, some common myths continue to persist – like myths about hats and hair loss.
To try something – anything – to stop baldness, people are willing to try everything and blame anything for their baldness. You can’t blame them – two out of three men will experience some hair loss by their 60th birthday.
The question remains: do hats cause hair loss? Will going bare-headed today keep your scalp covered in the future?
Keep reading to find out.
Hats and Hair Loss: Another Myth
Hats get a bad rep in the hair loss research community, but there’s no scientific evidence of a correlation between hats and hair loss.
The theory states that pressure and irritation from hats put excess strain on your hair follicles. Damaged follicles lead your hair to fall out prematurely.
Your hat doesn’t damage your hair follicles anymore than your wife or girlfriend’s ponytail does.
When do hats become a problem? Wearing a dirty hat on repeat leads to scalp infections.
Regular scalp infections do accelerate hair loss if the pre-existing conditions already exist. Put it in the wash on a regular basis or rotate your hats frequently to prevent buildup.
Hats may also become a problem if the headwear fits improperly. A tight band can amp up the heat or decrease blood flow to your scalp.
Wearing a hat that’s ill-fitted may lead to temporary hair loss in confined areas. The loss may become permanent, but likely only if you already see other factors.
If you love wearing hats and still worry about hair loss, wear a well-fitted, clean hat to protect your scalp and hair follicles.
What Do We Know About Hair Loss?
Hair loss may happen as a result of one or more of half a dozen reasons.
Research suggests that male pattern baldness – the most common type of hair loss – may occur when the progenitor cells in your scalp, which make hair, go haywire or are faulty.
In some cases, the fault is a lack of progenitor cells. In others, these cells don’t function as intended.
However, progenitor problems aren’t the only cause. Hair loss also receives contributions from age, genetics, illness, and how well you take care of your hair and scalp.
The overuse of heat tools – like curling irons and hair straighteners – contribute.
Your Hat Is Your Friend
Skipping a hat now doesn’t mean you’ll protect your hair later in life. Unfortunately, it’s not just hats and hair loss — a combination of factors plays a role in baldness. None of those include hats.
If you do lose hair, it likely will be hair you were already meant to lose as a result of genetics, illness, or faulty progenitor cells.
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