You might have come across various interpretations of hair loss and hair thinning. Some theories have developed coming from ear to ear. One may not know which is true or which is not. As a result, one might mislead the hair care practices, eventually leading to more hair falls. To help you with such misunderstandings, we have made you a blog on debunking the common myths about hair loss. 

Understanding the Hair loss

Before getting into the myths, it is important to understand what hair loss actually is. Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, refers to a reduction in the amount of hair on your head. It can happen through various forms, like hair thinning, temporary or complete baldness based on the cause.

There are a few common causes of hair loss including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications and lifestyle factors. Study says it is normal to have 50 to 100 hair strands falling out from the scalp and anything beyond this limit is not. 

Myth 1: Hair Loss is Only for Men

One of the most common myths is hair fall affects only men and not women. Of course, men are more likely to get hair loss (particularly male baldness pattern), and women only have lesser chances. That does not mean women won't find hair loss at all. Female baldness pattern is common among women, especially after menopause, experience hair thinning followed by hair loss.

Myth 2: Hair Loss is Always Inherited from Mother's Side

Another common hair loss myth is that extensive hair fall is inherited from the mother’s side. Though it is true that genetics play a major role in hair health, genes from both parents have equal responsibility in building a child’s hair growth and hair loss factors. Male pattern baldness, for example, is where the gene is acquired from both mother’s and father’s sides. Thus, hair loss caused by genetics is not always from the mother’s family.

Myth 3: Wearing Hats/Caps Causes Hair Loss

“Wearing caps for a long time could result in hair fall” - is completely an incorrect statement. However, one might sweat a lot in the summer while wearing a cap or hat, and the sweat might pile up and lead to less hair fall due to excess salts on the head. It is not completely factual that this is one of the causes. Oily heads will need to be taken care of by washing at times.

Myth 4: Frequents Shampooing Causes Hair Loss

There’s this widespread belief that washing your hair too often can cause it to fall out. Admittedly, you might see more hair in the drain after a wash, but this does not mean that hair wash is linked with hair loss. It is the effect of already loose hair that is about to shed. Frequent shampooing does not cause hair loss, but poor scalp hygiene can lead to issues that may contribute to hair thinning. It is important to balance washing your hair at times without stripping it of natural oils.

Myth 5: Stress alone causes permanent hair loss

Stress is often said to be one of the major causes of hair loss, it only leads to a temporary shedding known as telogen effluvium (resting phase of the hair life cycle) it does not necessarily mean to trigger permanent hair loss. This condition is reversible by doing best practices like taking breaks in the middle of a busy schedule, having proper sleep and other factors. However, chronic stress plays a major part in significant hair thinning, so it is crucial to manage stress for better health

Myth 6: Hair loss only happens with ageing

While it is true that hair loss becomes more common with age, it is not an issue for older adults. Hair loss can begin as you attain your twenties and gradually turn into drastic hair loss if it is only a genetic factor. conditions like alopecia areata can also cause hair loss at any age. This proves that hair loss is not only for old-aged individuals.

Myth 7: Hair loss is caused by poor blood circulation

Some people believe that poor blood circulation to the scalp is a cause of hair loss. While circulation is crucial for delivering nutrients to hair follicles, there is no evidence to prove that poor blood circulation is a prime cause of hair loss. In fact, conditions like male pattern baldness are more closely related to genetics and hormones than to circulation issues,

Myth 8: Cutting off the hair frequently increases hair growth and thickness

While cutting off your hair might help to reduce split ends it is not directly linked with growing back thick hairs. When you cut off the hairs, the blunt ends appear a little thicker than the actual strand size once mature. It is often misunderstood as having thicker hair because of this fact. Thus, cutting hair at times can improve the overall cleanliness and appearance of the head and does not influence hair growth and thickness.

Myth 9: Hair Loss Can Be Cured with Special Shampoos and Oils

While there are plenty of products that claim to cure hair loss and promote active hair growth, it is not completely proven. While some compounds like minoxidil and redensyl could slow the hair-shedding process, various other factors like diet and genetics play a major role in growing the hair back. With consistent efforts, one can trigger hair growth with the best hair growth serums (give the link) available but not solely through using special shampoos. Some natural oils like coconut oil, argan oil, rosemary oil and bringharaj oil might support hair growth.

Myth 10: Baldness Is Inevitable and Cannot Be Prevented

Many people believe that if they’re destined to go bald, there’s nothing they can do to stop it. While genetics play a significant role, there are steps you can take to slow down or prevent hair loss. Early intervention with treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, anagen or low-level laser therapy can be effective. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and avoiding harsh hair treatments can help preserve your hair.

Tips for Managing Hair Loss

If you are dealing with hair loss, there are a few steps which you can manage hair fall by following them.

• Maintain a balanced diet (rich in vitamins and minerals)
• Avoid harsh hair treatments like colouring and pampering
• Use gentle hair wash products for healthy hair
• Confirm if you are undergoing medical issues with a doctor or trichologist if hair loss persists.
• Sleep for 8hrs daily 
• Maintain early sleep and wake up routine
• Try not to use heat tools like straighteners and iron curls frequently.