People have debated for decades about what causes hair loss. There are hair studies about everything from heredity to the weather to determine what causes hair to fall out, and how to keep it healthy and strong. If you wear a hat regularly, you’re probably aware of a belief that gained traction in the twentieth century: that wearing a hat causes hair to fall out.

If you’ve ever worn a hat in front of an older relative, you’ve heard anything along these lines: “Stop wearing a hat so often, you’ll go bald.”

Even if we’ve heard it many times, we have to wonder how accurate it is. Is there a risk behind this seemingly harmless act? How can something so innocent as wearing a hat lead to baldness? 

Is it possible to go bald while wearing your favorite headgear? Like a helmet or a face shield that covers the scalp? 

Some people say that wearing a hat can suffocate hair follicles, resulting in baldness. This is not true, according to hair care experts. Hats do not block the passage of air to the scalp. There’s no need to be concerned if your hat is comfy to wear.

There’s also a myth that wearing a hat also prevents blood circulation. Because blood carries nutrients to your hair follicles, reducing circulation can lead to hair loss. But there is no truth to this at all, so you can rest easy. 

However, there are still some pointers worth mentioning. And this blog post will discuss the relation of wearing a hat to hair loss. 

Traction Alopecia: What You Need to Know

Although hats do not promote hair loss, it is still vital to choose the proper headgear. Wearing even a very tight cap, according to hair specialists, does not affect hair growth. Pulling a tight-fitting hat off and forcing dry or brittle hair into a hat, on the other hand, might. 

Wearing an ill-fitting hat for an extended period might cause traction alopecia. Long-term, significant stress on hair follicles causes this. If worn too tightly, hard hats, helmets, or religious head coverings, for example, can produce traction alopecia. Tight braids (especially after a relaxer), a tight ponytail or bun, or heavy hair extensions can all cause your hair to break or fall out. You may get traction alopecia if you detect recurrent stress on your strands due to headgear or styling.

Hair Loss: What Causes It?

  • Hereditary

Genetics is the most common cause of hair loss in men and women. Androgenetic alopecia is a kind of hair loss that affects 50% of white men by the age of 50. Only 38% of women over the age of 70 are affected.  Androgenetic alopecia is sometimes known as female-pattern or male-pattern baldness. Hair loss develops gradually in both cases since it’s hereditary.

  • Improper Hair Care

Proper hair care aids in the development of luscious locks. However, several conventional styling techniques can harm your hair. Hair can be pulled out by tugging on your strands with a brush. Heat styling appliances such as blow dryers (particularly on high settings), hot combs, flat irons, and curling irons can also damage hair and cause breakage. Additionally, regularly wearing tight hairstyles or heavy hair extensions can lead to traction alopecia, resulting in permanent hair loss. But, there’s good news: all hair loss causes may be avoided, and hair regeneration can be achieved if the problem is addressed early on.

  • Poor Nutrition & Health

Your body requires essential nutrients such as protein, zinc, iron, and vitamins to develop healthy hair. Hair loss can be reduced by eating enough calories and having a well-balanced diet though. Furthermore, living a healthy lifestyle with minimal stress and regular exercise promotes hair growth. Keep in mind that harmful habits such as smoking can produce inflammation in the body, which in turn leads to hair loss.

  • Illness

Hair loss is a side effect of some medical conditions. Thyroid disorders, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition, for example, can all cause hair thinning in a similar way to androgenetic alopecia. Hair loss is a typical adverse effect of some medical therapies, such as chemotherapy too. This is why it’s critical to get a medical consultation to rule out health issues as a cause of hair loss.

What Should You Do If You Have Hair Loss?

Losing our beautiful locks, regardless of what causes it to fall out, can be traumatic and frustrating – but there is hope. 

Learn more about how to enhance your hair’s health

  • Select the correct headgear. Hair loss is not caused by wearing a hat or other head covering for a short period. If your hair starts to thin, it can help you feel more confident. Just make sure your hat fits correctly, and it doesn’t pull on the strands when wearing or removing the cap.


  • Avoid putting too much stress on your hair. To decrease strain, use friction-free hair ties when pulling hair back.


  • Hair care should be done properly. Hair care should be done correctly. Hair wellness necessitates a consistent maintenance regimen. Dermatologists advise that you wash your hair with a gentle shampoo, free from harsh chemicals that might make you rapidly lose hair. Additionally, add a detangler or leave-in conditioner to your brushing routine to avoid straining your locks.


  • Reduce stress. Severe stress has been linked to an increase in hair loss. Reducing stress in your body and mind brings equilibrium back to your life and enhances the health of your hair. The good news is that even when faced with life’s obstacles, there are various strategies to manage stress and improve well-being.

 

  • Seek medical advice. Most hair loss isn’t permanent, and hair restoration is typically achievable if the cause is identified early. A dermatologist or trichologist can assess your health information and conduct tests to rule out nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical issues. Once you’ve figured out what’s causing the problem, you can work out the best treatment strategy together.

Conclusion

Remember that the condition of your hair reflects your overall health. This is why it’s essential to find a holistic approach to hair care that’s perfect for you, whether you’re experiencing hair loss due to ill-fitting headwear, a health problem, or simply genetics. 

If you’re having trouble with your hair  and you’re looking for a hair loss clinic in Boston, don’t hesitate to contact us. The hair experts at Scalp Designs are always available for a free consultation.

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