Don’t Believe These 5 Myths About Hair Loss

Want to find the root cause of hair loss? Medical professionals recommend that women and men alike in this situation start by seeing a specially trained hair loss doctor. The Philadelphia area’s Dr. Thomas Griffin of the Griffin Hair Restoration Center explains that for patients who have noticed a receding hairline or thinning hair, reaching out to a hair loss doctor is ideal for determining the cause and preventing further hair loss. It’s likely that the earlier you take action and get professional treatments, the more hair you will be able to preserve.

If you’re considering seeking a hair loss doctor, you may still be wondering: What exactly is hair loss and what causes it? Simply put, hair loss is a loss of hair from part of the head or body. The medical term for this is “alopecia.”

There is plenty of speculation surrounding the reasons for hair loss, so it can sometimes be difficult to tell fact from fiction. Continue reading for five of the most common beliefs about hair loss that have been debunked by experts.

Myth 1: Only Men Experience Hair Loss

Many people don’t realize that hair loss also affects women, especially if they are over the age of 40, have recently given birth, are menopausal, have had chemotherapy or other treatments, have been affected by other medications, or frequently apply harsh chemicals or heat to their hair. It is believed that more than 50 percent of women will develop noticeable hair loss, and it is usually caused by genetics (female pattern hair loss).

Myth 2: Stress Causes Permanent Hair Loss

The effects of stress on hair loss are complicated. Although major traumatic events can cause hair loss, thinning or balding areas will not usually be related to everyday stress. The type of stress that causes hair loss is major psychological distress. Hair loss is also often linked to chronic stress, which refers to a state of high stress for an extended length of time. Even then, this type of hair loss is not likely to be permanent. Chronic high stress is associated with different types of temporary hair loss, but stress-related hair loss is not the same as male pattern baldness.

Myth 3: If You Have Hair Loss, It Means You Don’t Care for Yourself

If you have hair loss, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t taking good enough care of yourself. In fact, very few people lose hair because of carelessness about their health. Genetics are a far more common determining factor.

Myth 4: Sun Exposure Causes Hair Loss

Although prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage hair strands, it’s not likely that too much exposure will prevent the follicles from functioning properly or cause pattern baldness. With that said, it’s still a good idea to protect your skin and hair from too much sun exposure, since ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of skin cancer and other health problems. Sun damage can make the hair more damaged and brittle, making it more likely to temporarily shed.

Myth 5: If Your Maternal Grandfather Experienced Hair Loss, You Will Too

Don’t blame your maternal grandfather for male pattern baldness. It used to be thought that if your mom’s dad had a full head of hair, it was likely that you would as well, but if he was bald, that would be your fate. Looking at your family tree won’t necessarily help you if you’re trying to predict hair loss. However, it is true that if you have many family members who have hair loss, it increases your risk for developing the same problem. Hair loss is polygenetic, so it’s determined by a random assortment of genes from your relatives, but they can come from both the paternal and maternal sides.

Contact Griffin Hair Restoration Center of Philadelphia to learn more about the causes behind thinning hair and bald patches. Call (215) 561-9100 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.