Causes of Hair Loss - 5 Myths Exposed!
So you want to know if some of those "facts" about the causes of hair loss, that seem to have a ring of truth in them, are in fact Myths? Let's expose 5 of the more popular hair loss myths that you have likely heard! Myth # 1 All Hair Loss is Hereditary While common baldness or male pattern baldness is usually inherited, there are a many other possible causes.
Other contributors can include stress, illness, chemotherapy, radiation, certain medications (blood thinners, gout medications), auto-immune issues, crash diets and more.
(Amazing we aren't all without hair!) Myth # 2 Disease Rarely Causes Hair Loss There are a wide variety of diseases that can contribute to the loss of hair.
In addition to rare auto-immune issues like Alopecia Areata (which only affects 0.
1% -0.
2% of the world population) a partial list of more common diseases that can contribute include: Diabetes, Folliculitis (a common kind of fungal infection), Hypothyroidism, and Lupus.
Myth # 3 Wearing Hats Causes Hair Loss Hats are not likely to cause loss of hair unless they are so tight they actually cause mechanical stress on the scalp and hair.
These mechanical stressors are much more likely to occur when wearing tight braids or ponytails, cornrows, or tight rollers, which pull on the hair excessively and can result in scarring of the scalp and permanent loss of hair.
Myth # 4 Stress Can't Actually Cause Hair Loss The bad news is that physical and emotional stress CAN cause your loss of hair.
The good news is, it's usually temporary.
For example, the stress of illness or major surgery sometimes causes a sudden temporary loss of a large amount of hair 3 or 4 months later.
This physical stress may be difficult to avoid; however, if worry or anxiety is causing you to lose hair, finding ways to reduce stress should help alleviate the problem.
Myth # 5 There is Nothing that Can be Done Another myth! Many steps can be taken to attack your hair loss problem.
The first step to doing something about it is to identify the actual cause.
Talk to your doctor about medications or disease conditions that may be causing you to lose hair.
Look at your lifestyle to see if inadequate nutrition, stress, or hair style may be contributing.
If you determine that the problem is hereditary, a proactive approach is best.
There are a lot of possible solutions out there, including expensive hair surgery, wig or toupees, prescription drugs, and over the counter topical treatments.
After we have destroyed these myths about the causes of hair loss, please take action if you aren't happy with your hair situation.
Doing nothing will not improve your situation and that, my friend, is no myth!
Other contributors can include stress, illness, chemotherapy, radiation, certain medications (blood thinners, gout medications), auto-immune issues, crash diets and more.
(Amazing we aren't all without hair!) Myth # 2 Disease Rarely Causes Hair Loss There are a wide variety of diseases that can contribute to the loss of hair.
In addition to rare auto-immune issues like Alopecia Areata (which only affects 0.
1% -0.
2% of the world population) a partial list of more common diseases that can contribute include: Diabetes, Folliculitis (a common kind of fungal infection), Hypothyroidism, and Lupus.
Myth # 3 Wearing Hats Causes Hair Loss Hats are not likely to cause loss of hair unless they are so tight they actually cause mechanical stress on the scalp and hair.
These mechanical stressors are much more likely to occur when wearing tight braids or ponytails, cornrows, or tight rollers, which pull on the hair excessively and can result in scarring of the scalp and permanent loss of hair.
Myth # 4 Stress Can't Actually Cause Hair Loss The bad news is that physical and emotional stress CAN cause your loss of hair.
The good news is, it's usually temporary.
For example, the stress of illness or major surgery sometimes causes a sudden temporary loss of a large amount of hair 3 or 4 months later.
This physical stress may be difficult to avoid; however, if worry or anxiety is causing you to lose hair, finding ways to reduce stress should help alleviate the problem.
Myth # 5 There is Nothing that Can be Done Another myth! Many steps can be taken to attack your hair loss problem.
The first step to doing something about it is to identify the actual cause.
Talk to your doctor about medications or disease conditions that may be causing you to lose hair.
Look at your lifestyle to see if inadequate nutrition, stress, or hair style may be contributing.
If you determine that the problem is hereditary, a proactive approach is best.
There are a lot of possible solutions out there, including expensive hair surgery, wig or toupees, prescription drugs, and over the counter topical treatments.
After we have destroyed these myths about the causes of hair loss, please take action if you aren't happy with your hair situation.
Doing nothing will not improve your situation and that, my friend, is no myth!