Hair loss is a common concern for millions of men and women. Naturally, this means there are plenty of myths and misconceptions circulating around the internet. Unfortunately, the noise around hair loss means it isn’t always easy to discern the truth.
Myth: Hair Products Cause Baldness
People often point to their favorite hair gel or shampoo as the reason behind their receding hairline or widening bald patch at the top of their scalp. But more times than not, hair products are just the scapegoat and are safe to use.
Balding is much more influenced by genetics or hormonal factors, not your trusty styling gel or shampoo. Is it possible that there are some products out there with harsh chemicals that weaken your hair and possibly contribute to hair loss? Yes – it’s possible. But that would be rare (and it would only be a minor contributing factor). Hair loss almost always has other factors playing a much more significant role.
Myth: Frequent Shampooing Causes Hair Loss
It’s time to put this myth to rest. Washing your hair regularly won’t make it fall out. In fact, keeping your scalp clean and healthy can actually help prevent issues that might lead to hair breakage.
Now, there’s a caveat here that should be obvious – but we’ll mention it just to cover our bases here. When shampooing, be gentle with your hair and use products that are suited to your hair type. In other words, don’t aggressively pull your hair or use unnecessarily harsh products that irritate your scalp.
How you dry your hair is, arguably, even more important when it comes to protecting it. You’ll want to gently blot dry with a towel and then (preferably) let your hair air dry for as long as possible. If you use a hair dryer, turn it on the lowest and coolest setting.
Myth: Hair Loss is Irreversible
While some types of hair loss, like genetic baldness, might not have a permanent cure, many cases can be managed or treated effectively. Treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride, or even hair transplants can help restore lost hair or slow down further loss. And if you really want to slow down hair loss and stimulate regrowth, there’s even laser therapy.
According to the LLLT experts at Kiierr, “Exposure to low-level laser light stimulates cellular activity. By exposing the scalp and hair follicles to a concentrated laser light, the cap is able to target and promote hair growth and health.”
The name might sound a little intimidating, but don’t let it scare you. Low level laser therapy, or LLLT, is totally painless and can be done in the comfort of your own home. As little as 30 minutes of treatment per day is enough to help you see results within several months.
Myth: Hair Loss is All Genetics – You Can’t Do Anything About it
One of the most pervasive myths is that hair loss is solely determined by genetics and you can’t do anything about it. In other words, if your relatives are bald, you’re going to be bald.
While it’s certainly true that genetics play a significant role in hair loss, there’s little evidence to suggest you can’t do anything about it. For starters, it’s just one factor. And, secondly, as we’ve shown in this article, there are ways to address it.
Despite genetic predisposition, various treatments and interventions exist to manage and reduce hair loss. Medications like minoxidil and finasteride, hair growth therapies, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatments, laser therapy, and hair transplants are available options that can help slow down or reverse hair loss to some extent.
Plus, there’s lots of hope for future developments. Ongoing research in the field of dermatology and hair restoration continually introduces new treatments and approaches to address hair loss. This progress offers hope that there could come a time when genetics can actually be neutralized and anyone can proactively prevent the onset of hair loss in their 20s, 30s, or 40s.
Be Proactive With Your Hair Loss
Just because hair loss runs in your family doesn’t mean you have to succumb to a life of early balding. With the right response and proactive strategies, you can prevent and reverse hair loss. But it’s all up to you. You must embrace healthy habits and leverage the tools and technology that are available to you. The sooner you start fighting back, the healthier your scalp will be!