80 million people experience hair loss. It can be caused by illness, age, genetics and poor hair care habits. There are also a number of myths that have circulated the news and blogs world-wide as to what contributes to baldness and hair loss in both men and women. Surprisingly, only a handful of these are actually true.
Read on to see what's fact and what's fiction.
Hair Loss Facts
The average person loses 50-100 hairs per day.
TRUTH
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this is the normal amount of hair strands we lose on a daily basis.
Constant exposure to sun encourages balding.
MYTH
Tanning beds, tanning booths, and natural sunlight do not contribute to hair loss.
Over-using hair care practices like bleaching and perms, hair dyes can be a key factor in hair loss.
TRUTH
Try to limit the number of these practices on a monthly basis.
Hats cause hair loss.
MYTH
Not to fear--keep your hats and scarves handy, but clean. Dirty hats, headwraps, and bandannas can cause infections that lead to hair loss so it's important to wash them frequently.
Hair loss/thinning may be temporary.
TRUTH
Certain events such as childbirth, menopause and severe stress can cause excessive hair to fall out--but thankfully, usually only for a temporary period of time.
Trauma causes hair loss.
PARTIALLY TRUTH
Physical and emotional trauma can cause hair to fall out, but, if it was meant to grow back, it will. Dietary and medication changes attribute to this as well. Quick shifts in weight loss and gain can also contribute to loss or thinning.
Loading up on carbs can lead to hair loss.
MYTH
Carbs and red meats provide the necessary vitamins and nourishment that hair needs. But a deficiency in these could contribute to hair loss. Supplements and vitamins can help to restoring healthy, fuller hair.
Millions of people, both men and women, experience hair loss.
TRUTH
Hereditary hair loss is a medical condition that affects about 30 million women and 50 million men of all ages. Hair loss can be inherited from either the mother’s or father’s side.
Using hairspray and hair gel lead to hair loss.
MYTH
Products don't cause hair loss. However, over-primping with the curling iron, flat iron and stretching (straightening hair with blow dryers) can certainly contribute to the problem.
Nutrition is key in hair loss prevention.
TRUTH
When the body doesn’t get enough protein, hair growth will slow down. Keep a healthy balance of meats, eggs and fish in your diet. Do not take in too much vitamin A either - this will also slow hair growth. Iron is also key and not enough iron in the diet will lead to hair loss.
Tara Lisciandro-Hornich is a Type 2/3 curly mom as well as healthy lifestyle advocate.
