Myths and Truths About Hair Loss

Dermatologists' offices often receive women who complain of hair loss. The causes for the problem can be diverse, so the subject is surrounded by myths. Ideally, always seek a specialist to investigate the causes of hair loss and indicate the appropriate treatment.

Check out the answers to the most common questions and learn about the myths and truths about hair loss.

Anxiety and stress interfere with hair loss.

TRUTH. Stress and emotional factors cause hormonal changes, so even indirectly they can be aggravating and potentiate the hair loss. But usually they are not the only cause and are associated with poor diet and unhealthy habits, worsening the condition.

Straighteners Cause Hair Loss

MYTH. Straighteners act on the hair, not the hair root. When straightening is done correctly and retouching is done within the indicated range, it does not influence the fall. What can happen is the hair fall due to breakage, because like every chemical procedure, straightening can leave the hair weaker and more dry.

Cutting the wires regularly prevents the fall

MYTH. Because the strands are a bit thicker near the root, when they are cut they may appear temporarily bulky. But the haircut does not influence the fall, only changes the look. Nothing that is done on the hair causes changes in the hair root because it does not interfere with the scalp, where the problem is. Therefore, cutting the ends does not prevent the fall.

It is normal for hair to fall postpartum

TRUTH. Both during and after pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes major hormonal changes. After childbirth, this hormonal oscillation can cause severe hair loss within three to six months. The same can happen to those who are on drastic diets, who have experienced physical or psychological trauma. To solve the problem, hair loss treatment is done with iron and nutrient replacement, ingestion of vitamin-based pills and other substances.

Sleeping with wet hair facilitates hair fall

TRUTH. Falling asleep with the strands still wet does not rot the hair root as many people think, but it carries health risks and compromises the beauty of the locks. The moisture in the strands favors the proliferation of fungi and mycoses. In addition, wet hair becomes more fragile and may fall out due to breakage caused by friction with the pillow.

Medications May Cause Hair Loss

TRUTH. Birth control pills, antidepressants, weight loss drugs, hypertension drugs, heart problems and autoimmune disease control are the drugs that cause the most hair loss.

Washing hair every day increases the fall

MYTH. There is no connection between daily hair washing and hair loss. In fact, scrubbing only helps loosen the strands that would fall off anyway, as they were already falling.

Hair Loss: Myths and Realities | Carolyn Goh, MD - UCLA Health (April 2024)