We have to face it – hair loss is one of the painful realities of life. It is painful not in the sense that you undergo some kind of physical discomfort because of it but you experience a tremendous amount of emotional distress. Suddenly, you feel insecure, cursed, lonely – those feelings that we try our best to avoid. But hair loss being a reality should not kill our hopes but rather lift up our spirits. This fact alone means that we can differentiate the myths and truths behind it. And it can further imply that we can take measures to prevent it from happening or to treat the disease when it is already happening.
This article focuses on seven hair loss myths, hoping to give better information about what the disease really is – its nature, causes and preventions.
Hair Loss Myth #1
If your mother’s brothers are bald, you may inherit the trait.
It may surprise you but the statement above is not true. However, most types of hair loss are genetic or inherited. This means that if one of your parents is experiencing this kind of disease, you have a fifty percent chance of getting that disease. This fact is supported by a lot of science studies done in the past. It is also important to emphasize here that it is not a recessive trait, where you need to inherit a copy from both of your parents. In this case, one parent is enough to pass the trait. So do not panic when your uncles or aunts are suffering from hair loss or balding; it will not be automatically passed on to you.
Hair Loss Myth #2
Hair loss is normal in men, but abnormal in women.
Even in this kind of situation, we must always be reminded of the equality of the sexes. It may not be as obvious as it is in men, but women suffer from this disease too. But then, we must factor in the fact that we see more men affected by hair loss. Even in cartoons or anime, we typically portray old men as bald or missing some hair strands on the crown of the head. However, both men and women, even though as perfectly healthy as they are, lose their hair to pattern baldness. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that out of the thirty million American women who lose their hair, seventy percent of them have female pattern hair loss.
Hair Loss Myth #3
Hats cause hair loss.
In this age of science and technology, we can easily accept that the above statement is a myth. The funny fact nowadays is that hats do not cause hair loss; they cover up for the hairs that are lost. But going back before the 1940s, people, even professional doctors, blame hats for balding in men. They believed that they restrict key arteries of the scalp making it hard for blood to flow. This is exactly why men lose their hair in the area of the scalp covered by their hats. It was also thought that women fared better because their softer, looser-fitting chapeaux do not cause abnormal circulation whatsoever. This kind of belief which existed hundreds of years ago is noted in Kerry Segrave’s book entitled Baldness: A Social History. Now that it has been proven that hair loss and baldness are linked to genes and androgens, we should never again blame the poor hat for causing the disease, and let it stay in fashion. More importantly, we should let go of the yet existing belief to this day that decreased circulation leads to thinning hair.
Hair Loss Myth #4
Hair loss is an evolutionary trait.
Scientists and biologists may want to take a look at this one but it is most likely not true. Hairs on the head are there not only to make you attractive to the opposite sex; they serve a much better purpose. They protect the scalp from foreign objects and hazardous elements, and they provide the skull with padding. Given these important roles, nature would not want to choose the traits that would cause hair loss or balding. Thus, losing hair strands does not appear to point to any of the survival benefits that would qualify as adaptation, which is when nature chooses some traits over others because they aid in the species’ survival. And if it really is a case of adaptation, the number of human beings experiencing hair loss or balding should increase but as of now, there are no proofs to support this. Some people may argue that over the years, humans lost body hairs on their evolutionary path in order to keep cool or in order to survive the Earth’s atmosphere, making hair loss or balding parallel to this. But it is not likely to be true because our great scientists are still puzzled over the causes of this kind of disease. And chemists still do create products that prevent hair loss.
Hair Loss Myth #5
Improving circulation will cure hair loss.
If it is this easy to cure hair loss, then the economy should be dead by now. I mean the market is currently filled with shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments that prevent or cure hair loss. The increase of concern with this kind of disease from every individual in this planet should hint that improving blood circulation certainly is not the cure. In 1992, a particular Canadian company believed in this myth and developed a product that would apply low-powered electrical impulses to the scalp using a helmet-like hood. But the company only failed together with the said belief. The idea of applying a spark with an electrode to the scalp is not new; outlandish instruments to increase the circulation to the scalp were developed decades ago. Fortunately for us, the existence of this scary practice has long been forgotten.
Even though this belief has not produced any groundbreaking results until now, it still has proponents in traditional and natural medicine. It is strongly advised by these people to do headstands, perform scalp massages, and even rub pastes on the scalp made from “stimulating ingredients”. It is, however, strongly discouraged to rely on this myth for as long as there are no proofs, it is no help at all.
Hair Loss Myth #6
Shampooing causes hair loss.
Just think of all those shampoos in the world that are especially made to combat hair fall or hair loss, and you will agree that the above statement is nothing but a myth. This belief may be due to certain observations such as after you wash your hair, some strands fall together with the water. But the said observation does not guarantee that your shampoo is the one causing your hair to fall out. It is important to note that shedding is easier to notice when it collects in the drain and hair that is prone to shedding easily can come out with even a little extra traction. But it should be mentioned here that shampoos containing harsh chemicals are to be avoided because they may damage the scalp, and thus, may trigger hair loss. It is strongly recommended then to use mild shampoo and to treat your scalp gently.
Hair Loss Myth #7
Chemical hair products cause hair loss.
To some extent, it is true but to some extent, it is false. Chemical hair products can potentially cause hair loss or balding only when used excessively and carelessly. In general, relaxers, permanents and hair dyes are safe for the scalp. Thus, it is safe to say that the percentage of this myth becoming the truth depends on you and the product that you are using.
If there is one thing that you should always remember, that is to always practice caution. Do not buy cheap hair treatment products only because they fit your budget. Be conscious with the brand; your health is the primary concern after all. In 1994, the FDA warned patients to stop using hair relaxer products made by the company World Rio Corporation after it received over 3,000 complaints of negative results including hair loss and scalp irritation. Lesson learned: choose well-known brands that are trusted by doctors and dermatologists.
Another thing, do not forget to perform some allergy test or patch test with your skin. To do this, take a small amount of the product (almost a pea-sized) and apply it on some sensitive areas. If you observe redness or rashes within 24 hours of application, it is best not to use the product. Also, always read the label for instructions. You would not want to be your own guinea pig after all. Remember that is not advisable to exceed time limits given in the directions; they do not lead to better results anyway. It is also strongly recommended to use only one hair treatment per week to allow your scalp to rest a little.
It is true that chemicals are never easy on your hair, but used with a little caution, they allow you to play magician with the hair nature gave you.
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