December 17 2009 at 2:01 pm

Female Hair Loss Myths

By HelloLife

MoreFrom HelloLife

As part of a healthy lifestyle, HairMax MD for Men safely adds daily nutrition to help support your healthy hair growth
Contains a proprietary blend of natural botanicals, vitamins and minerals delivered directly to the scalp in a multi-directional (MD) twice-daily massage

This article aims to brush out and untangle some of the common female hair loss myths. We will comb through the fiction commonly associated with female hair loss in search of the facts.

Myth: Brushing stimulates hair follicles causing hair growth

It is a common misunderstanding that brushing your hair 100 times everyday will stimulate blood circulation to provide the hair follicle with more nutrients, initiating hair growth. This is not true and the exact opposite actually holds true. If you brush your hair excessively, you may actually end up losing more hair and damaging otherwise healthy hair.

Myth: It is possible to increase hair follicle number

Actually, the number of hair follicles you are born with is the most you will ever have. This number is determined by genetics and can not be altered by any treatment method. The only way to increase hair follicle number is through hair transplant surgery, which is noted with certain side effects.

Myth: My hair dryer is responsible for my hair loss

Are hair dryers simply follicular incinerators? No, there is no scientific evidence to support that hair dryers are cause for hair loss. However, there are connections between hair dryers and brittle or dry hair. Hair dryer use in excessive amounts or use of hair dryers that are too hot can lead to hair damage.

Myth: Cutting your hair will make it grow thicker

This is a common misunderstanding. Typically, cutting your hair creates an illusion of thicker hair because it removes split ends. However, your hair will not actually become any thicker. When your hair grows back from cutting, it will appear as it did once before. There are certain haircuts, particularly with layers, that can also add to the illusion of thicker hair.

Myth: Only men experience pattern baldness

While it is true that male pattern baldness is more commonly discussed in comparison to female pattern baldness, it still exists. Hair loss in men is more prevalent than hair loss in women, but occurs in varying degrees. It is also noted that women are typically more conscientious and try harder to hide hair loss than men.

Myth: Wearing hats is responsible for hair loss

This is blatant untruth, unless you wear a hat that is too tight for an excessive period of time. Normal use of hats is no cause for hair loss. The fact is that the live part of your hair, known as the follicle, is located within the scalp. Hats do not touch the actual hair follicle.

Myth: You were bald as a baby, so you will also be bald as an adult

This is not true. When you are a child and have no hair, this is because the genes responsible for hair growth have yet to be activated. This has no scientific connection with the amount of hair you will have as an adult.