Is your hair gradually thinning? You are not alone. More than 50% of men over the age of 50 years are dealing with some kind of hair loss. Unfortunately, many hair loss products are worthless. Most of the hair loss treatments that are available in the market being sold in the cosmetic industry don’t work. There is also misinformation out there about what causes hair loss and how it can be stopped. Misconceptions on the subject present in large amount. Here are the facts on five hair loss myths.
- Myth- There are numerous causes of hair loss
Not true- In nearly 95% of cases, the cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. The type of hair loss causes a gradual loss of hair. Research studies revealed that dihydrotestosterone, a hormone derived from testosterone plays a significant role in causing male pattern baldness. The hormone shortens the hair’s growth cycle, which causes a gradual decrease in hair follicle size and ultimately gives rise to hair loss.
- Hair thinning comes from the father’s side of the family.
Not true- It is true that male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition, but it cannot only be inherited from one side of the family, in fact, it can be inherited from both the paternal and maternal sides. According to researchers, male pattern baldness may involve a number of genes. However, it is important to know that the transmission of this condition depends on dominant inheritance patterns. So the more men in your family who are experiencing thinning of hair or are totally bald, the more likely you will lose hair.
- Man pattern baldness affects only older men
Not true- Hair loss due to male pattern baldness can affect a man at any age after puberty hits. It usually starts in the mid-twenties. However, the hair loss is quite gradual; it takes many years for man to reach the advanced stage. It is believed that the earlier the hair loss disorder starts, the more the results will be severe.
- Hair loss occurs randomly
Not true- This not true at all. Hair loss follows a definite pattern. It starts at the forehead an temple area and lowly progress backward forming an M shape on your head. Thinning of hair occurs gradually in such a pattern that a U shape circle of hair around the side and back of the head remains.
- Hair loss medication doesn’t work
Not true- Some hair loss treatments are quite effective, especially prescription medications as these medical approaches have undergone clinical studies. The effectiveness of pharmaceutical products like Finpecia 1 mg has been scientifically demonstrated. Such medications can help slow down the hair loss progression and in some cases, even stimulate hair regrowth. However, there are hair loss treatments in the market whose effectiveness and safety has not been established because they have not been tested in clinical studies. In case of doubt, talk to your healthcare specialist.
- Stress makes hair fall out
No doubt, stress affects the body in many ways. So it is important not to underestimate the power of stress. However, it takes sever traumatic stress to cause hair loss. Furthermore, some disorders associated with hair and scalp such as alopecia area may also worsen the bouts of stress. Mild stress usually doesn’t cause hair loss.
- Cutting hair makes them grow faster
Here it is important to know that your follicles are not affected by haircuts. They grow at a steady rate with only slight variations.
- Thinning or shedding of hair always indicates a hereditary hair loss
Dropping between 50 to 150 hair strands per day is normal. This is not a sign of hair loss, but instead, it indicates that the hair follicles are entering their resting phase of the hair follicle cycle. When enough hair follicles do not recover from the resting stage, you are suffering from hair loss.
