An older man with great hair, despite myths of losing hair at older ages

Hair Loss Myths and Misconceptions

Considering that an estimated 50+ million men and women in the U.S. suffer from hair loss, many myths and misconceptions exist about what causes it. Knowledge is power – it is time to debunk the myths about hair loss and explore the facts. About 1 in 5 people experience hair loss, and billions of dollars are spent on products that may or may not help with alopecia. Here are some of the most prevalent myths and misconceptions about hair loss that many people still believe.

Hair Loss is Maternally Linked

Have you heard that genetic hair loss is passed down through your mother’s family? If you are looking at your maternal grandfather’s hair growth as a glimpse of your future, this is not true. Most hair loss is genetically linked, but it is not from one side of the family. Both your parents contribute to your genes, including the ones that affect hair growth and loss.

Taking Excess Vitamins Can Help Regrow Hair

Many nutritional supplements target hair loss, they are usually loaded with vitamins and minerals like biotin and zinc. Malnutrition and insufficient vitamins and minerals can affect your skin, hair, and nails, but overdosing on vitamins will not regrow your hair. Very few Americans have hair loss caused by malnutrition, and spending money on extra supplements is unlikely to affect your hair growth.

Cutting Hair Helps Stimulate Growth

Haircuts remove the ends of the hair strands, but they do not affect the hair follicles. Frequent hair trims may remove split ends that break off, but they will not cause the hair to grow faster or stimulate inactive hair follicles.

Hats Contribute to Hair Loss

Wearing a hat does not suffocate your hair or rub it away. Oxygen reaches the hair follicles through the blood vessels in the scalp, not from the air. This myth may be linked to the fact that many people with hair loss wear hats to cover their hair. Wearing a hat is often a result of hair loss, not a cause.

Hair Styling Tools and Products Can Cause Hair Loss

Blowing drying your hair or adding gel or hairspray are not causes of hair loss. While overheating or adding chemicals to your hair can cause damage to the strands, there is no proof that styling or hair products damage the hair follicles.  Some hairstyles can cause traction alopecia from pulling too tightly on the hair strands, but most hair loss is genetic.

Hair Transplants are Only for Certain Genders and Ages

There are many misconceptions about hair loss and hair transplant procedures. Many people think hair transplant procedures are only for men and those who are under a certain age. Although men do make up the majority of hair transplant procedures, they can be for many people going through hair loss regardless of gender or age. Hair transplants can be performed on all genders and adults of all ages, whether you are in your twenties or heading into your seventies.

Fighting Hair Loss Myths With Hair Restoration

If you are one of the 50+ million people in the U.S. combatting hair loss, you need to know the facts. There are only a few FDA-approved alopecia or hair loss treatments, including FUE hair transplantation. At Robotic Hair RX, we provide the most advanced form of hair transplantation with our ARTAS iX robotic hair restoration system. If you are ready to learn the facts about hair restoration through hair transplantation, contact our team at Robotic Hair RX at our location in Tempe, AZ.

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