Your hair doesn’t define you — but it can help to express who you are. Between cuts, colors, and styles, it can signal how you want people to perceive you or even what you’re going through. And that’s part of what makes hair loss a universal topic across all ages and genders.
With varying opinions from family and friends plus an endless supply of information online, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. So how do you know what’s true about hair loss, and what isn’t? We’re here to help and put some common hair myths to rest once and for all.
Let’s get started.
Common hair loss myths: true or false?
1. Hair grows faster if you cut it
FALSE: Cutting your hair affects the shaft, but not the follicle, which is the part responsible for growth and premature loss. A fresh haircut may help you feel like it’s falling out less as getting rid of split ends can help it to look healthier. But a trim doesn’t actually affect new growth or loss.
2. Greasy hair falls out more often
TRUE: Sometimes when your scalp gets too oily for too long, more hair can shed as a result. This is because sebum (oil) can obstruct new growth from the follicle.
What to do? Make sure to focus on your scalp when washing to help curb sebum and dirt build-up, using gentle products that are suitable for your hair type. And if you’re concerned about density, reach for a shampoo designed for thicker, fuller-looking hair.
3. Washing your hair too much makes it fall out more
FALSE: Not only is this not true, it can actually be the complete opposite! As mentioned above, if your hair feels greasy, it’s best to wash it as often as needed to stop excess oil from blocking your follicles. Plus, hair that falls out as you wash was ready to fall out anyway — it has nothing to do with your showering habits!
4. Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet or it will fall out
FALSE: In line with the previous myth, your hair doesn’t fall out more if you brush it when it’s wet. But, hair is more elastic when it’s wet and has a greater tendency to split. This means it may feel as though more is falling out, whereas it’s just broken. If your hair is in the process of falling out, brushing gathers up hair that is about to shed anyway: it doesn’t actually cause hair loss.
5. Always wearing a hat, or using gel, spray or mousse causes baldness
TRUE AND FALSE: Things that affect the hair shaft don’t necessarily affect your scalp. Applying certain products may damage your hair but that doesn’t mean they will increase hair loss. But if you are always wearing a hat or make excessive use of products like sprays, gels, and mousses then your scalp may become greasy, which as we saw before, can be problematic.
6. We shed more of our hair in the fall
TRUE AND FALSE: Hair does drop out naturally in fall, as it’s the season when your hair works the hardest to renew itself. This may be because this period follows summertime when hair is subject to more stressors such as the sun, pool, and beach — weakening the growth follicles and breaking strands. So, while you may notice more shedding during the autumn months, part of it could be attributed to prior exposure to external aggressors, rather than the season itself.
7. Anxiety and stress can affect hair loss
TRUE: Although you don’t need another thing to worry about, stress has been linked to hair loss. And when you notice that a lot of your hair is falling out, it can cause even more stressful feelings — becoming a worrying cycle. The good news? Hair loss due to stress is usually temporary.
Keep in mind that it’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. However, if you’re concerned about the amount of hair you’re shedding or think it’s happening more than usual, book a visit with your dermatologist.
8. Your hormones can cause hair loss
TRUE: In all genders, hormones are considered one of the main risk factors for hair loss, because they are involved in the hair growth cycle. Hormones that affect hair loss include dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a by-product of testosterone), estrogen, and thyroid hormone.
9. Drinking or smoking can affect your hair
TRUE: Your habits have more of an impact on your hair than you might think. Although every strand of hair has its own life cycle (growth, maintenance, and loss), some lifestyle factors can also affect your roots. As well as being bad for your physical health, drinking and smoking can dull your hair, and in some cases, contribute to damage or loss by speeding up the hair’s natural aging process.
10. All hair loss is permanent
FALSE: Think thinning hair can only get worse? The good news is that’s not always the case. There are over 100 different types of alopecia (AKA hair loss), but it’s important to remember that most forms can be treated. Illnesses, surgeries, and weight fluctuations can all cause more hair shedding than usual. But once things are back to the status quo, it should grow back.
How can you be proactive? Commit to a daily hair care routine focused on density, strength and vitality. And remember, what your hair looks like doesn’t define you — your overall health and well-being always come first.
Editorial Team
Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its wonder. As wellness journalists, we explore topics that invigorate the senses and keep curiosity alive. We believe that glowing skin is the result of a healthy body and mind. Weaving beauty with science, we aim to inspire you to live young at every age.
