The internet is a goldmine—or more accurately, a minefield—of hair loss facts and myths. Some offer great advice, while others are absolute fiction that will have you questioning everything from your morning shower routine to your own DNA. Here are the most common hair myths that are true, and some you might want to ignore.
# 1 Myth: Wearing hats causes hair loss.
Does wearing hats cause hair loss? Unless your hat is so tight that it’s cutting off circulation or literally yanking hair out by the roots (traction alopecia), it won't cause hair loss. However, a soiled hat could potentially lead to scalp infections, which isn't great for hair health.
The Verdict: Leave your hat on! So go ahead, keep wearing that lucky, sweat-stained baseball cap from 2005. The only thing it's killing is your dating life, not your hair follicles.
# 2 Myth: Shaving hair will make it grow back thicker.
Pondering, "If I shave my head, will the hair grow back thicker?" If only regaining a thick, lustrous mane were as easy as a quick buzz cut. Shaving your head doesn't change your follicle count or hair diameter. It only feels thicker because you’ve cut the hair at its widest point, leaving blunt, seemingly fuller ends.
Think of it like trimming your hedges, hoping they’ll turn into a redwood forest. It’s not happening, and now you just have a very cold, shiny head for no reason.
The Verdict: Shave it or leave it. Your hair follicles don't care either way, but put down the shaver unless you’re ready for the awkward grow-out phase.
#3 Myth: Stress causes instant hair fall.
Does stress make your hair fall out instantly? Not exactly and not instantly. Stress and hair loss have a complicated relationship. Serious physical or emotional stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, but the actual shedding usually happens 3 to 6 months after the stressful event.
The Verdict: While you can’t always control certain life events, it’s wise to address physical and emotional stressors for your overall health and include a dash of patience while your hair health recovers. Visit our blog, Stress & Hair Loss Treatment, for tips on how to navigate this process.
#4 Myth: Only men lose hair.
By now, most people are aware that both men and women experience hair loss, but that wasn’t always the case. The term "male pattern baldness" contributed to this misconception by implying that hair loss follows a pattern seen exclusively in men.
The Verdict: Hair loss does not discriminate; women account for a significant portion of sufferers, up to 40%.
#5 Myth: Hair loss is inherited from our mothers.
The question, "Is hair loss inherited only from the mother's side?” stems from a classic old wives' tale. While it is true that the main baldness gene resides on the X chromosome (from mom), research shows that genes from both mom and dad contribute to the genetic lottery of male and female pattern baldness.
The Verdict: Hair loss isn’t a blame game. If you've been giving mom the side eye for years, believing that her genetic makeup caused your hair loss, take a moment to learn more about genes and hair loss, give her a break, and accept that Dad’s DNA played a part, too.
#6 Myth: Overwashing hair triggers hair loss.
"Does washing my hair too often cause it to fall out?" is a frequently asked question, but the truth is that there is no connection between shampoo frequency and hair loss. Whether you wash daily or once a week, the frequency doesn't change how much hair you lose.
However, washing less often will result in more hair in the drain when you do wash. That reflects the accumulation of several days of natural hair shedding that got trapped in their hair while skipping the suds. (But don’t wait too long between shampoos to avoid follicle-clogging buildup—a hair loss foe!)
The Verdict: Wash as often as you like, but make sure to use a clean shampoo and follow healthy hair care practices.
#7 Myth: Frequent trims make hair grow faster.
The fact is that hair grows from the root, not the ends, and as the ends do not "communicate" with the follicles and have no way to brag about their new fancy haircut, trimming the ends has no impact on hair growth.
However, there are some benefits of haircuts for hair loss. Cutting thinning hair a tad shorter can give it more volume, and make it appear thicker, while eliminating frayed split ends may ease combing and brushing, and prevent tugging at snarled knots.
The Verdict: Cut it or let it grow, your hair follicles won't know the difference.
#8 Myth: High testosterone causes baldness.
Does high testosterone cause hair loss? That’s a bit of a trick question. It isn’t that bald men (or women) have more testosterone; it's the sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), not the total testosterone level itself, that causes thinning hair and baldness.
The Verdict: Consider a hair loss serum containing ingredients such as oleanolic acid and biotinoyl tripeptide-1 that naturally inhibit DHT to help curb hair loss.
#9 Myth: Brushing hair promotes hair growth.
Is brushing hair good for growth? You may have grown up watching women in movies brushing their hair with gusto, believing every additional stroke would make your tresses long and shiny, too!
However, savagely raking your brush through your hair may cause stress on strands and breakage. But, it wasn’t all Hollywood smoke and mirrors! Gently brushing your hair and letting the bristles massage your scalp can actually promote blood flow, boost scalp nutrition and oxygenation, and improve overall health.
The Verdict: Go ahead and brush your hair as part of your hair loss recovery routine, but be sure to take it easy and use a moisturizing conditioner to add shine, prevent tangles, and avoid damage.
The Bottom Line: Stop Sabotaging Your Results
With these hair loss facts, you can begin focusing on healthier choices and habits—real hair loss solutions to gain real lasting results. Ready to define your best hair future? Explore our complete line of hair wellness products designed to support your journey.