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Does Wearing a Hat Cause Hair Loss?

Wearing a hat can have a lot of benefits like protection from the sun, warmth, and sometimes even just a little style. Wearing a hat can also have a negative impact, though, which is why we are here to show you how to prevent it. The real question is, does wearing a hat cause baldness, and are hats bad for your hair?

While it's possible that wearing a hat will exacerbate hair loss, it's also possible that wearing a hat might help prevent hair loss. Let us look at these questions and more in this article.

Do hats make you lose hair?

The simple answer is— it's not likely.

When people say “wearing hats causes hair loss” it's almost always a myth. The only slight hair loss concern that can be attributed to wearing a hat relates to blood flow to hair follicles, the pulling of hair, and hygiene.

Blood flow to hair follicles

The blood flow in the scalp is very high, and the hair follicles are very close to the surface. If you were to wear your hat extremely tight, you may cut off the circulation to hair follicles and cause them to temporarily fall out.

If you keep this up for an extended period of time you may have permanent hair loss, but it's extremely rare.

Traction Alopecia

Traction Alopecia is when your hair falls out from being pulled. A tight-fitting cap can potentially pull your hair, causing fall out.

Irritated scalp

The last thing that could potentially cause hair loss from wearing a hat is an irritated scalp. If you sweat a lot in your hat and don't wash it often, there's a chance that the build-up of sweat, dirt, and bacteria could irritate your scalp and lead to issues with your hair follicles. It's best to keep your hat reasonably clean at all times.

Hair loss can also be caused by other factors, such as medications, stress, hormonal changes, and certain diseases. Wearing hats will most likely not cause hair loss.

What are the most common causes of hair loss?

According to a study, both men and women lose about 100 hairs a day. This hair loss is healthy and natural. It doesn’t cause thinning or loss of hair at the scalp because new hairs are growing at the same time.

Hair loss is a condition that occurs when the process of hair growth and hair loss are unbalanced.

When hair follicles are damaged, they can be replaced by scar tissue, which can happen if you wear a very tight hat. But it's unlikely.  

Hair loss can be caused by several factors. Read on to learn about some of the most common causes.

Genetics

Hair loss in both men and women is caused by a family history of hair loss. Adulthood is when genetic hair loss begins.

Men usually lose hair on top of their head or on their hairline, while women tend to experience thinning hair all over their scalp.

Hormonal changes

It's no secret that the body's hormones play a crucial role in regulating many of the body's processes, including hair growth and loss. The level of hormones in your body can be affected by various factors, including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid problems, all of which can impact how much hair you gain or lose.

Medical conditions

Hair loss on the scalp can be caused by diabetes, lupus, and significant weight loss. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that can also result in hair loss.

Medications and supplements

As a result of certain types of medication, including those for treating the following conditions, some people experience hair loss as a side effect.

  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Gout
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure

Stress

Stress can play a big role when it comes to hair loss.

There are three types of hair loss caused by stress: telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and trichotillomania.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when the normal hair growth cycle is disrupted. Normally, hair grows for two to six years before entering the telogen phase, which is a resting period. Normally, about 10% of the hair is in the telogen phase. During telogen effluvium, more than 10% of the hair enters the telogen phase, resulting in thinning or bald patches.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that causes bald patches on the scalp. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing them to fall out. More than 4 million people have alopecia areata, and it affects both men and women equally.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a type of hair loss caused by repeated tension on the hair roots from certain types of compulsive behavior, such as hair pulling. it is an impulse control disorder that includes a compulsive urge to pull out one's own hair.

An emotionally or physically stressful event may cause general thinning of hair after some months. This type of hair loss is usually temporary.

Hairstyles and hair treatments

Hair loss can be caused by overtreatment and over-styling. A continuous pulling force can cause gradual hair loss caused by hairstyles such as very tight pigtails or cornrows.

Inflammation and hair loss can result from hot oil hair treatments and permanents (perms). Scarring of hair follicles can permanently damage hair.

Brush and wash your hair gently. Make brushing easier by using a comb with wide teeth. Avoid harsh hair treatments such as hot rollers, curling irons, hot oil treatments, and permanents. Take supplements and medications that might cause hair loss. Consult your doctor before changing any supplements or medications.

Early Signs of Balding

You can identify and deal with male pattern baldness by recognizing a few of the signs of male pattern baldness when it begins to appear.

Moreover, you can avoid many of the problems that often accompany this condition by identifying the problem before it becomes serious.

A Change in Your Hairline

First signs of balding include a changing hairline that can be clearly seen. A flat or slightly receded hairline becomes a more apparent M-shaped hairline when you have hair loss.

Many people experience thinning hair in the temples and on the crown rather than total hair loss.

Hair Thinning

Some men and women experience what is called hair thinning. It affects the entire scalp or specific areas, like the top of the head, and results in baldness that starts from the back or top, rather than from the hairline.

You can spot diffuse thinning by comparing photos from different time periods, just as you can spot receding hairlines.

For men, it's possible that you're experiencing male pattern baldness if you find that you have thinner hair than you used to have.

Unusual Hair Loss After Showering or Brushing

It's normal to lose hair when you brush or comb. Most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, so you shouldn't be concerned about the four to five hairs you notice in your hands after shampooing your hair.

If you start to notice that you have a lot of hair falling out throughout the day, it could be a sign of pattern balding.

Protecting your hair from the sun

Protecting your hair from the sun is important, especially during the summertime. Here are a few tips to help keep your hair healthy and looking its best.

1. Use sunscreen for your scalp.

When you're out in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen specifically for your scalp. This will help protect your hair from the sun's harmful rays.

2. Wear a hat.

A wide-brimmed hat is a great way to protect your hair from the sun. Make sure to choose one that has a good SPF rating to ensure maximum protection.

3. Apply a hair mask.

A hair mask can help keep your locks hydrated and protected from the sun's rays. Choose one that is rich in natural oils like coconut, almond, or olive. Apply the mask to your hair before you go outside and then rinse when you come back inside.

4. Rinse with cold water.

After you've been outside for a while, make sure to rinse off your hair with cold water before heading inside. Cold water will help close the hair cuticles and lock in moisture, helping to protect your hair from damage.

5. Don't use a towel on your hair.

When you're done rinsing off, don't rub your hair with a towel. This can cause frizz and damage fragile strands. Instead, just gently squeeze out excess water and let your hair air dry.

6. Try a leave-in conditioner spray.

If your hair is feeling extra dry and damaged from the sun, use a leave-in conditioner spray like L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Solar Sublime Sun Reflects UV Protect Spray. This spray is designed to add shine and protect your hair from heat and UV rays.

And don't forget to wear sunscreen everywhere, not just your hair! A good daily moisturizer with SPF will help keep your skin looking youthful and healthy all summer long. Sunscreen is a great way to protect yourself from wrinkles as well as skin cancers caused by too much sun exposure.

Conclusion

Wearing a hat can have a negative effect on your hair. It's possible that wearing a hat will exacerbate hair loss. Some people have found that wearing a hat keeps their hair from falling out. Others have found that hats help to hold their hair in place and prevent it from falling out.

But, if you're going to wear a hat, you need to choose one that will do the least damage to your hair.

People who are suffering from hair loss should avoid wearing hats. This is because hats can cause your hair to fall out more.

FAQs

Can you go bald from wearing hats all the time?

No, you will probably not go bald from wearing a hat. However, there's a small chance that if your hat is tight it can reduce the flow of blood to the head. A decrease in blood flow to the hair follicle can be problematic and may result in the hair falling out. You may experience traction alopecia or permanent loss of your hair and scalp if you wear a tight hat. A tight-fitting cap that isn't cleaned often may result in irritation of the hair follicles due to bacteria, dirt, and sweat.

Will my hair grow back if I stop wearing a hat?

There are many people who think so but it's not really true. If by chance your hair loss does relate to your hat-wearing, it should grow back as soon as you stop. If you're experiencing hair loss, it's more than likely that it's related to one of the common causes stated above.

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