Hair Loss Myths Explained: Separating Medical Fact From Fiction

Hair loss (medically known as alopecia) affects millions of men and women worldwide, so it’s no surprise that countless theories and therapies claim to prevent thinning hair or reverse it. But how many of them actually work?

We’re here to explore some of the biggest myths about hair loss and the evidence behind some of the most popular solutions, so you can save time and money by choosing hair loss treatments that are proven to be effective.

Article Summary:

• It's natural to lose around 50-100 hairs a day, but if your hair is thinning you may notice excessive shedding, or a more gradual loss of hair that results in patches or a receding hairline.
• There are many myths about the causes of hair loss. It's important to understand what type of hair thinning you have, and why, before you start treatment.
• Many products claim to help with hair loss, but research is limited and only some are clinically proven to support hair growth, such as topical minoxidil.

How to know if you’re losing your hair

Firstly, it’s important to know that it’s perfectly normal to lose around 50-100 hairs every day. That’s because there are multiple phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen (the growing phase), catagen (the regression phase), telogen (the resting phase), exogen (the shedding phase) and kenogen (the empty phase). [1]

As your hair grows, you naturally shed the old hairs to make way for the new ones. This natural shedding process is not a sign of hair loss; it’s just your body working as it should.

Hair loss is often a gradual process, and there are different types. These tend to fall into three categories: patterned (gradual thinning), diffuse (even shedding), and focal/patchy types.

If you’re noticing more shedding than usual, there are signs you can look for, such as:

• A receding hairline
• A bald spot that gradually grows
• A widening parting
• Less volume at the crown of your head
• A thinner ponytail

Before you start to look into treatments, it’s important to understand why you’re losing your hair so you can address the root cause.

Hair loss causes: The biggest myths, debunked

Myth: You inherit the baldness gene from your maternal grandfather

Hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia or AGA), also known as male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss, is the most common cause for both men and women. There’s a common misconception that you only inherit the baldness gene from your mother’s side of the family, specifically your maternal grandfather. However, this is not true.

While the primary androgen receptor gene (AR) is on the X chromosome (which comes from your mother), hair loss is actually polygenic. This means that many genes inherited from both your mother and father contribute to your overall risk of developing hair loss. [2]

This type of hair loss is down to a combination of genetics and hormones, specifically the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone causes follicles to shrink and produce thinner, shorter hairs. [3]

With this type of hair loss, men tend to start noticing a receding hairline, while women might see an overall thinning and widening parting.

Myth: Stress causes permanent baldness

Some hair loss may come on more suddenly, with an increase in daily shedding. This usually occurs a few months after a trigger, such as stress, illness, hormonal shifts, or even medications. Nutritional issues such as iron deficiency or rapid weight loss can also be the underlying cause. [3]

This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium, or temporary shedding. So the good news is that it’s usually reversible once the trigger is dealt with.

Myth: Wearing hats can cause hair loss

This myth stems from the idea that if you wear a hat regularly, you’ll suffocate your hair follicles by cutting off oxygen, leading to hair loss. But your follicles get their oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream, not the air.

Unless your hat is so tight that it cuts off circulation to your scalp or causes friction that pulls on your follicles (known as traction alopecia), your cap is completely safe. [4]

Myth: Washing your hair too often causes hair loss

As we explained above, it’s natural to shed some hair each day, and it’s all part of your hair’s growth cycle. Some claim that washing your hair too much will cause it to fall out, but this isn’t true. Any hair that comes loose as you wash is ready to shed.

More importantly, daily shampooing helps to keep the scalp clean and clear of any build-up, which is essential for healthy hair growth.

Myth: Hormonal contraceptives cause shedding

Because your hair cycle is so deeply linked to your hormone levels, there are some hormonal shifts that can cause hair loss. So it’s true that hormonal contraceptives like the contraceptive pill can also play a part, exacerbating existing thinning or increasing shedding temporarily. [5]

However, it depends on the type of progestin used in the pill. Some birth control pills contain progestins with a high androgenic index (meaning they act like male hormones and can trigger or worsen hair loss in women who are predisposed to it). Others have low androgenic index progestins and can actually help prevent hair thinning. [6]

There are also some hormonal disorders that can cause hair loss. These include thyroid disease (hypo- or hyperthyroidism), polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS) and the menopause. [7]

Hair loss treatments: fact vs fiction

So how do you prevent hair thinning or restore hair growth?

One search for the best hair loss treatment will give you thousands of results, but it’s important to do your research so you don’t fall for so-called ‘snake oil’ products. Here, we break down some of the most common products for treating hair loss and the science (or lack of science) behind them, so you can make an informed decision before you buy.

Caffeine shampoo

Caffeine shampoo is a common and accessible treatment that’s thought to stimulate your follicles to grow hairs. Some claim it may also suppress the hormone DHT, which is linked with male and female pattern hair loss, and elongate your hair shaft, resulting in wider hair roots.

Dr. Shendy Engelina, Consultant Dermatologist, says: “There’s some evidence that caffeine shampoo may help with certain types of hair loss, but the evidence is limited. [8] Laboratory studies have shown caffeine can stimulate hair follicles, but there’s still debate around how effective it is when applied to the scalp as clinical studies in people have produced limited and mixed results.” [9]

The verdict: It’s worth a try, but as with any haircare, formula is key. Look for leave-on scalp serums with caffeine as well as rinse-off hair products to help make the most of the benefits.

Scalp massage tools

It’s thought that scalp massage aids the growth of thicker hair by stretching your hair follicles and increasing blood flow in your scalp. A typical massage uses fingertips, but you can get tools like brushes or handheld massagers to replicate the same pressure.

So, does it work? Small studies have found evidence that men who incorporated scalp massage into their daily routines had thicker hair and improved growth, but further study is needed to confirm this. [10]

The verdict: It could help, but avoid pulling at your hair if you’re going to try it. Putting too much traction on your hair follicles can cause further hair loss.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP)

PRP therapy involves your blood being drawn and put into a centrifuge, a device that separates it. This splits it into three layers: platelet-poor plasma, platelet-rich plasma and red blood cells. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into areas where you’re losing hair. In theory, this could stimulate cells in your follicles and improve blood supply to your hair root, promoting hair growth.

“PRP therapy has shown promising results for treating certain types of hair loss, but more high-quality research is needed to determine the most effective treatment protocols and identify which patients are most likely to benefit,” says Dr Shendy. “Although some studies have demonstrated improvements in hair growth, PRP can be costly and time-consuming.” [11]

The verdict: Protocols vary, but typically you would need 3-4 sessions with 4-6 weeks interval in between each session. Then depending on the response, maintenance can be every 3-6months, costing between £290–£450 per session. An alternative treatment is topical minoxidil, which is both clinically proven and non-invasive. [12]

Rosemary oil

Rosemary contains carnosic acid, which has been found to help heal nerve and tissue damage, and encourage cell turnover. The theory behind this treatment is that it could potentially promote nerve growth and blood circulation to your hair follicles. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce scalp irritation.

The verdict: While there have been no large-scale studies into the benefits of applying rosemary oil to your hair and scalp, there is some promising research. One study found that rosemary essential oil could help reduce hair loss, along with the itchiness that comes with it. [13]

Microneedling

Microneedling is a treatment that uses tiny needles to create microscopic channels in the scalp. This triggers the body's natural healing response, releasing growth factors and activating cells that may help stimulate hair growth. It can also be combined with treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which may enhance its effects. Although some studies have looked at combining microneedling with topical minoxidil, it’s generally not applied immediately after treatment because the scalp is more absorbent, which may increase irritation and the risk of side effects.

Dr. Shendy advises caution with these treatments. “Microneedling is generally safe when performed by a trained healthcare professional, but it may cause irritation, redness, and discomfort as it works by triggering the skin’s natural healing response. Not all products are suitable for application immediately after treatment, as the scalp is temporarily more absorbent. For this reason, it’s important to check with your clinician about which products are safe to use, and when to resume your hair loss treatments to help minimise the risk of irritation or other complications."

The verdict: Proven topical hair loss treatments are designed to absorb effectively on their own, so there’s no need to have microneedling done before using them. If you do want to try it, book in with a professional.

Vitamins and supplements

There are countless vitamins and supplements designed to support hair growth, but how effective they are is still up for debate.

Iron deficiency or anaemia is a well‑recognised cause of diffuse hair shedding (telogen effluvium), and it's also thought that low vitamin D levels can lead to increased shedding and slower hair regrowth. Zinc, biotin (Vitamin B7), and Vitamin C are also thought to support healthy hair, but there’s limited evidence to prove it. [14, 15]

The verdict: Vitamins are more likely to help if you have identified a deficiency, or when used as a complement to other treatments.

Want a proven treatment for hair loss?

If you're experiencing hair loss, evidence-based treatments are available. At MedExpress, we offer online consultations and a range of clinically proven hair loss treatments, including Finasteride, Propecia and Regaine (topical minoxidil). Our UK clinicians can help you find the treatment that's right for you, with discreet delivery direct to your door.

MedExpress is a UK online pharmacy that is compliant with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency’s strict regulations on the sale and supply of prescription medicines. All our products are safe, authentic and prescribed by clinical experts.

References

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