What causes baldness? Understand why people lose their hair

do hats make you lose hair

The friction and sweat can eventually damage the hair roots, causing hair loss as a side effect. In these situations, hair loss can present differently depending on the type of headgear or hairstyle. For example, in one study of female nurses, a bit more than 3% of the women experienced hair loss at the part of their scalp where they secured their nurse’s cap. Now, while the research was more about correlation than causation, its findings tend to suggest that wearing hats does not cause hair loss, even if worn daily. You’ve probably heard that hats and hair loss are connected, but is this a myth or fact? If you’re experiencing hair loss and wear a hat a lot, you might be worried that your headwear is causing hair loss.

Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)

The cause of this condition is unknown, but it primarily affects older women. If you’re uncomfortable with your hair loss and are waiting for it to grow back with growth products, you can massage your scalp to encourage blood flow. Those who are at a greater risk of hair loss include those with poor nutrition, stress, genetics, and age. Avoid a significant weight loss since that can lead to it as well.

If not hats, what causes hair loss on the scalp?

However, if the hat is too tight or doesn't fit properly, it can cause traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair follicles. Therefore, it's recommended to choose a hat that fits comfortably and doesn't apply too much pressure on the scalp. However, Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. John Anthony said that wearing hats that are very tight or hot could possibly decrease blood flow to the hair follicles.

Headwear to cover hair loss

While you can’t change the texture of your hair follicles, you can make them appear thicker in order to reduce hair loss. Add more eggs to your diet since they’re high in protein. You can also consider using a hair treatment that contains eggs. Vitamin A has retinoids which are vital in increasing hair growth. Sebum production is important in order to maintain a healthy scalp. When you’re using birth control pills, the shot, ring, etc. you might notice hair loss.

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Other signs to look out for include hair thinning around the hairline, redness, bumps, itching, and headaches. However, we think it’s possible that wearing hats that are very tight — or very hot — could decrease blood flow to the hair follicles, stressing them and causing them to fall out. The hair loss would be temporary at first, but it could progress to permanent hair loss over time. So a loosely fitting fedora may be a safer bet than a tight knit cap or baseball hat. Most people don’t need to worry about hats and hair loss. But traction alopecia can happen when tight, restrictive hairstyles constantly pull on hair roots.

Several months later, those hairs will exit telogen phase by exiting your head. Similar to hair loss, in most cases, hats will not cause hair damage. "Repeated pulling or tension on the hair can lead to breakage or even loss over time," says Engelman. However, this isn't typical and isn't something you need to worry about—unless you wear extremely tight hats.

do hats make you lose hair

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This increases friction between hair strands and disrupts the cuticle’s ability to reflect light, leading to dull-looking hair. Excessive exposure to sun and hair dyes have similar effects on the cuticle. Hats, even tight ones, are unlikely to cause hair loss on their own, but they might pull out hair that was already on its way to falling out. Typically, hair will start growing back within three to six months after chemotherapy treatments have ended, per the Mayo Clinic. In most circumstances, this temporary problem doesn't require treatment. It can, however, be prevented by managing stress levels, per Dr. Geria.

do hats make you lose hair

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The condition is also reversible in many cases if it's caught early enough. If you take away the source of the traction (i.e. stop wearing a tight hat), your hair will usually grow back. If it goes on too long, though, traction alopecia can cause permanent damage to the hair follicle and lead to irreversible hair loss. Hard hats are commonly worn by construction workers, and they are designed to protect the head from falling objects. However, wearing a hard hat for a prolonged period can cause hair loss due to the pressure and friction it puts on the scalp. It’s important to find and avoid potential causes of hair loss.

Can Wearing a Hat Contribute to Baldness?

In order to avoid infections to your scalp, it’s important to wash your scalp each week, but not too much. If you don’t wash it enough it can lead to the overgrowth of oils, and too much can strip your hair of natural oils. A good rule of thumb is to aim for about 2-3 times per week. Next time you take a bath, check the floor to see how much hair you lose. To preserve your locks, you should avoid brushing your hair too often or for too long, especially when it’s wet. If you’re pulling out more than a few hairs per brush, you should probably ease off a bit.

Get started with Curology by completing a hair quiz so we can learn about you and your hair goals. Then you’ll be matched with your personal dermatology provider to design your hair treatment. Some people pull out their own hair as a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings. By clicking submit you agree to our Privacy notice and Terms and conditions.

Male-pattern baldness typically appears first at the hairline or top of the head. This is when there’s constant tension or pulling of your hair that leads to hair loss. Hair loss can be due to medical conditions, age, heredity, medications, and hormonal changes.

This is when your hair follicles shrink for about a few weeks. If you really like to brush your hair, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that if you’re already going bald, it can make it worse. If you wear the same hat almost every day, or at least a few times a week, aim to wash the hat at least once a week. Negative side effects of medications, like losing your hair, should be discussed with your doctor.

This could lead to scalp irritation and potentially cause hair loss if left untreated. If you’ve noticed your scalp has become itchy and hasn’t improved in a few days, speak to your GP. If you’ve fallen into these traps in the past and notice your hair thinning in some areas, you should be able to correct it by following the guidelines above.

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