Hair Loss True & False | What's Known About its Causes

Over the last 4,000 years of human history, many myths and misconceptions about hair loss causes and hair restoration treatments have been created and perpetuated.

Many still persist today. (Except for the Sun God myth – that one, thankfully, was put to bed a few centuries ago).

Dr. John Frank is a New York hair loss treatment expert and below he separates the facts from the myths.  Read on — you just might learn something new!

True or False: Male pattern baldness is passed down from your mother’s side.

Answer: False

This is probably the most pervasive myth concerning hair loss.

While hair loss can be genetic, it is not due to a gene that is passed down from your mother’s side, but rather to your susceptibility to the damaging effects of the DHT hormone.

The gene thought to be responsible for male pattern baldness most likely comes from both biological parents.

True or False: Tight hairstyles and use of hair dryers can cause hair loss.

Answer: Slightly True

It’s true that having tight cornrows and ponytails, as well as excessive blow drying can lead to hair loss.

Tight hairstyles can put stress on hair follicles which can cause the hair strands to break or become damaged. Constantly pulling hair and making it tight can also create hair loss.

This is known as traction alopecia, but the hair loss is temporary if the tension stops and tight hair styles do not damage hair follicles.

True or False: Hair loss can be prevented by frequent hair brushing or standing on your head.

Answer: False

This myth stems from the belief that hair loss is due to poor circulation and that constant brushing will increases scalp circulation and blood flow.

Once you lose your hair, blood flow to the scalp does decreases, but this an effect, not a cause, of hair loss.

Rather, hair loss is caused by a greater sensitivity of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and brushing one’s hair, or standing on one’s head, or even brushing one’s hair while standing on one’s head, won’t help.

In fact, constant or excessive brushing can sometimes put stress on the hair follicles causing a mild case of traction or traumatic alopecia (see myth #2 above).

Do be fooled! New York Hair Loss Restoration Doctor John Frank Separates The Facts From the Myths On Hair Loss & Treatment

True or False: Wearing hats makes you go bald.

Answer: False

This myth comes from the mistaken idea that for hair to grow, hair follicles need to get air to grow and wearing a hat prevents the scalp from breathing and getting air.

In reality, hair follicles get oxygen from the blood stream, not from the air. However, while it may “make sense” that a decrease in blood flow could cause you to lose your hair, this isn’t the case (see myth #3 above).

True or False: Hair loss is caused by clogged pores.

Answer: False

Like the blood flow myth, this one also rests on a reversal of cause and effect. Clogged pores are the result of hair loss – it is not the cause of it.

If baldness were simply the result of clogged pores, all that it would take is a thorough shampooing and bye bye baldness.

True or False: Frequent shampooing causes hair to fall out.

Answer: False

This myth, like so many others, also rests on a reversal of cause and effect.

When people start to lose their hair, they first see hair in the shower, and the wrongly assume that shampooing caused their hair to fall out.

It should be noted that washing your hair will cause some hairs to fall out, but this is part of the natural hair growth cycle.

It is normal to lose anywhere from 75 – 150 hairs a day and a large percentage of these hairs are lost in the shower.

John Frank, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology in Columbia University’s Collage of Physicians and Surgeons, a New York hair loss expert, & founder of the New York City based Anapelli Hair Loss & Restoration Clinic. He has worked extensively with Dr. Sheldon Kabaker, the former president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery well known for his scalp lowering techniques. Dr. Frank has presented & published original research on hair loss & advanced surgical hair restoration techniques. A gifted surgeon and unique individual, Dr. Frank believes that safety comes first. He combines his skills with his passion for improving the appearance of others.

© 2012, John Frank, M.D.