The Myths and Facts of Hair Loss
Hair. It's a source of confidence, a symbol of health, and for many, a constant source of worry. Hair loss is a prevalent concern, affecting millions of people around the world. With so much conflicting information out there, navigating the world of hair loss solutions and treatments can be confusing.
This blog aims to be your trusted companion on this journey. We will address common myths about hair loss and give you accurate information. Here, we'll debunk these myths clearly and concisely, empowering you to make informed decisions about your hair health.
Top Hair Loss Myths
Common myths about hair relate to why and when it goes grey, what causes baldness, and how baldness can be prevented or treated. So long as people go bald, or are worried about going bald, myths about hair loss will always be around.
- Mom’s the Word: Is This A Question of Genetics
Baldness can come from either parent. One simple idea to foresee your baldness is to look at the balding patterns in your family. If your father, grandfather, or uncle is bald or balding, just find out when they started losing their hair. This may provide you with some insights as to when you may also possibly go bald.
- Washing Hair Everyday Keeps Hair from Re-Growing
No, Instead washing your hair with a gentle, natural shampoo can keep it nourished and moisturised instead of drying it out.
- Chop one grey hair, it will sprout a hundred
Not at all. Plucking one grey hair doesn’t lead to a hundred grey hair nor does it encourage better hair growth.
- Frequent Shampooing Causes Hair to Fall Out
Most people blame their shampoo when they see loose strands of hair in the bathtub, shower, or sink. With the next shampoo session, they may just as well see more hair loss. This propels one’s imagination- that shampooing causes baldness. Baldness runs in families because hair gradually becomes finer and thinner, not because hair falls out.
Shampoo has got nothing to do with this cycle or hair fall-out. Additionally, some people who do not wash their hair often believe they experience more hair loss when they do wash it. This is due to a build-up of product in the hair, which can lead to increased hair shedding.
- Oiling the Hair Makes it Grow Thicker and Longer
Hair oil is a long-standing Indian tradition for healthy hair. Natural hair oils have been valued for generations as essential for hair health. Hair oil helps improve the texture of hair and aids in conditioning.
But, as far as hair growth is concerned, this is governed by other factors, such as nutritional status, hormones, and general health. Oil plays no role in hair growth.
- Shaving the Head (mundan) makes a Child’s Hair Grow Thicker and Faster
Mundan is a religious ceremony, in India, in which the hair of the newborn is shaved off. The idea behind this ceremony is that the hair of the newborn represents unwanted traits from past lives. Therefore, it must be shaved off to ensure a new beginning, a fresh start.
A lot of people believe that mundan makes the hair grow thicker and faster but this is not true. The thickness and length of hair are predetermined by your genes, not by rituals.
- Rubbing Nails Controls Hair Loss and Helps Regrowth of Hair
No scientific evidence backs this belief. Instead of trying out different techniques on your own, it's best to see a trichologist. They can diagnose your problem and give you the best solution.
- Brushing Your Hair 100 Times a Day Makes it Grow Faster
Not. Brushing helps to an extent by spreading the natural oils over the complete hair strand. Excessive brushing may only add to your hair woes; it damages hair due to excess friction.
- No visible Hair Loss Means No Balding
You don’t need to go bald only if you notice hair visibly falling off. Hair loss may not be immediately noticeable, but you could still be progressing towards baldness. You may not see hair on your pillow or brush, but that doesn't mean you're not experiencing hair loss.
It's important to be aware of the signs of balding, even if they are subtle at first. Pay attention to any changes in your hair thickness or texture.
This may happen because inadequate new growth is not replacing the hair that is falling off. If your hair is becoming thinner or less dense, you may be starting to go bald. This can happen even if your hair is not falling out much.
- Wearing Hats Causes Hair Loss
People think that wearing a cap or hat interrupts air circulation to the scalp and prevents the scalp from ‘breathing’. This is not true. The reason is that your hair follicles get their oxygen from the bloodstream, not the outside air.
This only means that your hair does not choke if you wear a cap or hat- what’s more, a golf cap, a popular option, hides your baldness. It does not show it. What may trigger problems are caps or hats that fit tightly on the head.
They may cause thinning around the sides of the head because of constant traction on the hair. Wearing helmets for a long time can lead to hair loss called traction alopecia. This happens when the helmet rubs against the same spot on the scalp. After all is said and done, road safety requires helmets; this is non-negotiable.
To prevent hair loss, wear a bandanna under your helmet to reduce friction between the helmet and your scalp. This simple solution can help protect your hair.
- Standing on the Head Improves Blood Flow and Reduces Hair Loss
Some people think that doing a headstand in yoga can increase blood flow to the scalp and promote hair growth. This pose is also called sirsasana. It is believed to have benefits for hair health.
This ‘upside-down’ posture, propagated by yoga teachers and gurus, is a good yoga posture. There is, however, no real scientific validation or impact for the practice as regards hair loss or hair regrowth.
Growing hair also does require a considerable amount of blood flow, although decreased blood flow may sometimes lead to hair loss. Yet, reduced blood flow isn’t the only cause of hair loss- it is the result of hair loss. Here’s why- when good hair is placed into a bald scalp with decreased blood flow, the blood flow returns once hair starts to grow.
- Magnets Increase Hair Growth
Proponents of magnetic therapy say that magnets can increase the blood flow to the scalp. This may help prevent hair loss or regenerate hair growth. This ‘therapeutic’ benefit has not been conclusively proved.
- Hair Cuts Lead to Thicker Hair
This is not true. When you go for a haircut and cut your hair short, your hair gets scratchy like sandpaper. This gives us the feeling that our hair seems thicker than it was before.
The fact is it is not thicker, it’s just shorter. Hair, as you know, grows at a rate of half an inch per month. The rate does not change whether you cut hair daily, or opt for a haircut at long intervals.
- Hair Loss Stops as You Get Older
Hair loss certainly slows down in men as they age. Men, after 60, see only marginal loss, if at all they have hair loss. For women, the reverse is true.
As women age, they may experience hair loss due to a decrease in oestrogen, a hormone that helps protect hair. This can be especially noticeable for those who have genetic hair loss that began during menopause.
Conclusion
Understanding the facts about hair loss is essential for effective hair loss prevention and treatment. By debunking these common myths, you can take proactive steps to maintain healthy hair and pursue successful hair regrowth treatments. Remember, the best approach involves a combination of proper hair care, nutrition, and professional advice tailored to your specific needs.
Why Dr Batra's®?
At Dr Batra's®, we are committed to providing accurate information and effective treatment for hair loss and hair regrowth. Our hair specialists offer personalised treatments designed to address the unique challenges of each individual. Whether you're looking to prevent baldness, avoid hair loss, or seek balding treatment, our comprehensive approach ensures optimal results.
If you're struggling with hair loss or looking for reliable hair loss prevention strategies, visit Dr Batra's® near you, today. Schedule a consultation to receive personalised advice and treatment options tailored to your needs.
