Will washing your hair everyday make it fall out? Does frequent ejaculation really make you go bald? We separate truth from fiction and debunk some old-fashioned hair loss myths.
Some hairstyles cause hair loss: True
Surprisingly, this one is actually true. Normally extreme hairstyles cause problems with hair loss in women (unless you're a man who wears plaits and uses heated rollers), but cornrows and ponytails can put excessive pressure on your hair and pull it out. So watch out, any long-haired lotharios.
Washing your hair every day makes it fall out: False
Washing your hair regularly won't make it fall out; those hairs at the bottom of the shower are dead hairs that your shampoo has removed. A dirty head of hair may make for better bed head hairstyles, but it's certainly not extending the life span of your follicles.
Blow-drying makes your hair fall out: False
While it can damage, burn or dry your hair, blow-drying isn't the root problem of hair loss. Hair that has been damaged by blow-drying may fall out, but unless you're suffering from male pattern baldness, it will grow back almost immediately. The same applies to straightening your hair.
Sunshine makes your hair thicker: Both true and false
While it's long been thought that the sun makes your hair thicker, the reason why you probably always feel like your hair is a big unruly mess (for those with thinning locks, this is a good thing) on holiday is the sea salt. However, exposure to sunshine does boost vitamin D levels, which in turn may aid hair growth.
Having your hair cut will make your hair appear thicker: True
Long, thinning hair can look straggly and in bad condition, which is why regular haircuts will create the illusion of thick locks. While haircuts won't prevent male pattern baldness, hair does feel and look thicker after a haircut because your hair is naturally thicker at the base.
If your maternal grandfather is bald, you'll go bald: False
The old myth that you inherit baldness from your mother's side of the family is a total myth. The hair loss gene is hereditary but comes from either your maternal or paternal side. So you can stop blaming your mum and start putting some of the guilt for creating a bald son onto your dad.
Frequent ejaculation causes baldness: False
The old saying, 'If you keep playing with that you'll grow hair on your palms' isn't the only fable relating to sex and hair. No matter what old wives say, you can rest easy that there's absolutely no truth in the rumour that frequent ejaculation can cause hair loss.
Wearing hats causes hair loss: False
Unless you're wearing a swimming hat on a daily basis or a hat that's tight enough to put excessive tension on your hair, wearing hats shouldn't be pulling your hair out even if you're wearing one 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Losing 100 strands of hair a day is normal: False
Most of us have between 100,000 and 150,000 hair follicles in our scalp, 90% of which are, if you're lucky, growing at any one time. The saying that we lose 100 of these hairs per day is a gross overestimate; it's actually more like 20-50 a day. The upside is that those hairs you see in the bottom of the bath or shower every morning are totally normal.
Hair products cause hair loss: False
Despite what people may say, the amount of product you put on your hair doesn't affect hair loss. Gel, wax, mousse, hairspray... you can plaster as much on as you like and be safe in the knowledge that it isn't going to make your perfectly styled hair fall out.
Stress causes hair loss: True
It may sound like an old wives' tale, but stress really does cause hair loss. Stressful events such as illness and money worries can cause hair production to stop temporarily. However, stress is not the cause of male pattern baldness — so if you're not affected by that your hair should grow back once you're over the stressful period.
So now you can sleep easy and stop worrying that you're losing your crowning glory. Or worry yourself to sleep that you'll soon be waving goodbye to your fringe.
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