Hair loss is a problem that plagues over 35 million American men. Despite being so common, it is poorly understood by the general population. There are many myths floating around about hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss you should not fall victim to these urban legends.

Myth: Genetic hair loss comes only from the mother’s side.

Actually, genetic hair loss can come from both parents.

Myth: Wearing hats causes hair loss.

Hair follicles are not affected by normal hat wearing. Hats do not cut off circulation or damage hair follicles.

Myth: Cutting or shaving your hair will make it grow back faster or thicker.

Although hair may seem thicker at first, this is only because it is thicker at the base than at the tip. It may seem thicker at first, but this effect will quickly dissipate. Similarly, cutting your hair will not encourage its growth. Short hair may appear to grow faster, but in reality hair grows at a steady rate of 1-2 cm per month.

Myth: Standing on your head or hanging upside down will reverse hair loss.

While this is an interesting idea, inverting oneself will not reverse hair loss. The idea is to improve blood flow or circulation to the head. Unfortunately, hair follicles require more than blood flow to produce hair, and chances are if you have no circulation to your head, you’se got bigger problems than hair loss. Like brain death, for example.

Myth: Too many styling products cause hair loss.

Although bleach, dyes, or perms may cause hair breakage and temporary hair loss, they will not cause permanent baldness. To be safe, always go to a professional salon for hair treatments like bleaching, dyeing, permanents, or straightening. However, you can use all the styling products you want at home without risk of baldness. Also, be careful with heat styling tools like blow dryers, straightening irons, and curling irons, as improper use can cause hair breakage.

Myth: Steroids won’t affect hair loss.

Actually, the use of steroids can accelerate hair loss, and hair loss due to steroid usage can be permanent.

Myth: Losing a lot of hair every day is a symptom of male pattern baldness.

It is normal to lose 50-150 hairs every day. Normally, hair will regrow. However, if you are not growing any new hair to replace the lost ones, you may have male pattern baldness.

Myth: Brushing your hair too much will lead to baldness.

Although brushing your hair excessively might lead to breakage and split ends, it will not result in permanent baldness.

Myth: Too much or not enough sex can result in baldness.

Although many men might like to use this myth as a way of… persuading their wives and girlfriends, there is absolutely no correlation between frequency of sex and hair loss. Sorry guys!

Sources
http://www.hairlosslearningcenter.org/hair-loss-content/cures/hair-loss-myths.asp
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/general/081.html
http://www.askmen.com/sports/health_60/92_mens_health.html