3 Myths About Hair Loss Debunked

Our team often gets asked questions like, “Which parent determines if you go bald?” by Westlake Village-based patients who are curious about the causes of hair loss (and what can be done about it).

There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding hair loss that it can be difficult to know what to believe.

What we describe as “hair loss” usually refers to excessive loss of hair from the scalp, which can occur due to many possible causes. While the problem is more common in men, anyone can experience this condition.

There are many different symptoms associated with hair loss. including gradual thinning of the hair at the top of the head, circular or patchy bald spots, and a sudden loosening of the hair. It’s normal for the average adult to shed around 100 hairs a day, but if you’re losing significantly more than this, it could be due to an underlying issue.

See below for some of the biggest misconceptions about hair loss debunked.

Myth 1: You Inherit Your Baldness Gene from Your Maternal Grandfather

There’s a common misconception that baldness is passed on from the mother’s side of the family. There’s no need to panic if you’re thinking that your mom’s father was bald, so that means you will automatically have the same fate. Although hair loss is influenced by genetics, you’ll need to look at your parents, siblings, and other relatives—not just one ancestor—to see if their hair is thinning. 

Myth 2: Sun Exposure Will Cause Baldness

Although too much UV radiation isn’t good for your health, tanning won’t cause your hair to bake off. It’s true that sun exposure can cause damaged, brittle hair that’s more likely to shed, but this is typically a temporary effect.

Myth 3: You’ll Only Get Hair Loss with Age

The truth is that you might experience hair loss starting from as early as your 30s, 20s, or even teens, even though it’s thought of as something that only affects older people. If you’re noticing thinning hair, it’s better to start treating it as early as possible. 

Our Westlake Village-based team at Pierre Skin Care Institute has answers to questions about hair loss and can explain more about preserving healthy hair. Call us at 805-496-9190 or fill out a contact form if you would like to meet with us to discuss hair loss.