Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary:
- Wearing hats does not cause hair loss; this myth arises from misconceptions about scalp circulation and hair roots.
- Poor circulation, scalp infections, and unhealthy scalp conditions can contribute to hair thinning and loss.
- Common causes include hormonal changes, genetic factors, medical conditions, and stress.
- To maintain hair health, keep hats clean, ensure a comfortable fit, and give your scalp breaks, especially in hot weather.
Hats won’t make your hair fall out, but poor circulation might
There are plenty of myths flying around about hair loss, and the idea that wearing a hat too often causes hair loss is one of the most common myths out there. Fortunately, it’s also not true—in fact, some of the only available research on this question suggests that wearing hats might actually help prevent your hair from thinning.
But, there are still a few reasons why so many people believe that hats do cause hair loss—and it’s important to understand the truth so you can make healthier choices for your hair. Below, we present information to help you avoid situations that can negatively impact your hair.
Common hair loss myths
When it comes to hair loss, there’s no shortage of misinformation. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths (besides the one that wearing a hat will make your hair fall out):
Myth: frequent shampooing causes hair loss
Fact: Regular washing actually helps remove dirt, oil, and old hair, improving the condition of your scalp and making it a better environment for new growth.
Myth: hair loss is only a male problem
Fact: Women can also experience significant hair loss, particularly after hormonal changes or experiencing considerable stress. Read our article below to learn more about hair loss in women.
Myth: all hair loss is permanent
Fact: Some hair loss can be treated. A type of hair loss called telogen effluvium can be caused by stress, nutritional issues, or medications, and it may be reversible in some cases. You can also learn about other approaches to treating and managing hair loss in the article below.
Learn More: How Is Hair Loss Treated?
Basic hair & scalp anatomy explained
To understand why hair loss happens (and how it can be prevented), it helps to know a little about hair follicles and the scalp. Here are some quick facts about what hair is made of and how it grows.
- Hair grows from follicles beneath the skin.
- Hair follicles cycle through growth, transition, and resting phases.
- The scalp’s blood vessels supply nutrients to hair follicles.
- Sebaceous glands in the scalp process androgens and perform other functions to support hair health.
- Disruptions in scalp health can lead to hair loss, which is why scalp care is important for hair growth.
Busting the myth of hats & hair loss
So, if the belief that hats cause hair loss is a widespread misconception, what’s the truth? It turns out that there are some indirect ways that headgear can affect your scalp and hair—but you should probably be more concerned about more direct causes if you’re worried about your hair falling out.
Headwear & hair health
Wearing hats does not directly cause hair loss. The myth likely arises from the mistaken notion that hats block air circulation to the scalp, which weakens the roots of your hair.
In reality, hair loss either comes from genetic factors, hormonal changes, or certain medical conditions. In most cases, wearing hats shouldn’t make a difference.
The outlying risks of wearing hats
While hats themselves don’t cause hair loss, there are certain scenarios where they might indirectly lead to hair and scalp issues. Here are the most common—although these scenarios are still relatively unlikely:
- Poor Hygiene: Wearing a dirty hat repeatedly might eventually lead to a scalp infection, which may temporarily affect hair health.
- Too Tight Hats: Constantly wearing very tight headwear can cause traction alopecia, a form of hair loss due to pulling on the hair. However, this would have to happen repeatedly over a long period of time, and the hat in question would need to be extremely tight.
Tips for hat wearers
If you love wearing hats and you want to avoid any chance of hair loss as a result, here are a couple of easy tips to keep your hair and scalp healthy:
- Scalp care: Practice good scalp hygiene by washing regularly with appropriate hair products, as this can help prevent oxidative stress that contributes to balding.
- Choose the right fit: Wear hats that fit comfortably, instead of hats that are too tight, to reduce the risk of traction alopecia.
See also: 8 Ways You Can Reduce or Stop Hair Loss
Other common hair loss causes
Hair loss typically occurs for one of a few different reasons:
- Hormonal changes: Androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss, is caused by an imbalance of hormones called androgens. This type of hair loss is often hereditary.
- Autoimmune disorders: Alopecia areata is another common type of hair loss caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks hair follicles.
- Stress and nutritional deficiencies: A lack of nutrients, such as iron, protein, and vitamins, particularly B vitamins, can contribute to hair loss. Physical or emotional stress can also trigger a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, where large amounts of hair follicles enter the resting phase and your hair ultimately falls out.
How Lemonaid Health can help
Lemonaid Health can connect you with healthcare practitioners based in the US for online consultations that can help you determine the most appropriate strategy for dealing with hair loss.
Learn more about our services today and make an informed plan for taking care of your hair with our support.
