The idea that wearing a hat can cause hair loss remains a persistent belief for many people. But is there any truth to this claim in reality?
To answer this once and for all, we will take a look at what really causes hair loss below. We’ll also list down some precautions you can take to prevent this!
The Truth About Hats and Hair Loss
So, do men’s hats play a role in hair loss? The short answer is no. Wearing a hat does not generally cause hair loss.
But here’s the catch. If you wear hats all the time in an extremely tight manner, this is where traction alopecia can come in. But the chances are very slim with hats. This condition is a type of gradual hair loss caused by repetitive hair pulling or tension.
The most prominent cause of traction alopecia is hairstyles that cause stress in the hair follicles. Some examples of this are frequent wearing of heavy hair extensions, dreadlocks, or even a good old tight ponytail.
Other than this rare possibility, there are no conclusive studies linking the wearing of hats to hair loss.
Common Causes of Hair Loss
Male pattern baldness refers to the condition, where one experiences excessive scalp hair loss. On top of wearing hats, there is no shortage of myths when it comes to the reason for hair loss. With that, below are some of the most common hair loss causes:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Illness and health conditions
- Deficiency in vitamins and minerals
- Medication intake
- Over-styling
- Hair treatments that cause irritation
While some people embrace their thinning hair loss without hiding it, it can be a critical issue for others. For this, the best option is to undergo scalp treatment for hair loss prevention or hair growth restoration. And fortunately, many success stories around hair loss treatment bring hope.
Tips to Prevent Hair Loss
While most causes of hair loss are out of our control, there are still ways to manage it. They cannot completely stop you from losing hair, but these steps can help you take care of your hair and scalp. Below are some tips to manage or prevent hair loss:
- Avoid wearing tightly pulled-back hairstyles for long periods.
- Avoid excessively pulling your hair when washing and combing.
- Be careful of undergoing hair treatments that can cause irritation to the scalp.
- Be wary of supplements known to cause hair loss. Always consult a doctor or a healthcare provider before taking any medications.
- Protect your hair from direct sunlight by wearing a loose hat or scarf.
- Quit smoking. Smoking can be linked to rapid hair loss.
- Always request a cooling cap if you’re undergoing any type of therapy.
- If wearing a hat, make sure to keep it clean. The accumulated dirt from dirty hats can irritate the scalp.
Takeaway
In this article, you learned that wearing men’s hats like fedoras, baseball caps, and so on has essentially no link to hair loss. So you can don your favorite hat of choice with confidence. If you’re still worried, you can opt to wear loose-fitting hats that don’t put pressure on the scalp.
Finally, make sure to follow the tips above, and don’t be afraid to consult a professional if needed.