Show / Hide »
Top Myths About Hair Fall
There are many myths about hair loss. Here are some of the more prevalent ones. if you have a query about any issue related to hair fall or hair care, do write to us. We will be glad to have our hair care experts answer to your queries.
• Cutting the hair makes it longer and stronger
Not true. People might have started thinking so by comparing hair on the head to facial hair. The fact remains that facial hair is DIFFERENT from the hair on your head. Cutting your hair will only make is shorter and it will grow at exactly the normal rate - ½ a cm a month.
• Pluck one grey hair and two will grow in its place
Sounds like a Two for the price of one offer? Think of it, if this were true, men with balding pates will be puling whatever little hair they have left with the idea of doubling their hair - grey or otherwise.
• Standing on your head (Sirshashan) or hanging upside down will increase blood circulation to the head and thus reduce hair loss
This is absolutely untrue. While standing on your head will definitely increase the circulation of blood to the upper body, it has absolutely no impact on hair growth. The cause of hair loss is genetic and no amount of standing upside down will correct that.
• Rigorously toweling of your hair will cause hair fall
Not true. At the most it will help ready to shed hair to fall off, but that would happen anyway. Toweling does nothing to hair except to dry it.
• Losing a handful of hair daily is an indicator of male pattern baldness
This is not necessarily true. Hair loss is a normal occurrence and it is only when hair regeneration stops that you identify the onset of male pattern baldness.
• Brushing your hair is better than combing it
As a matter of fact, hair responds better to combing than brushing. It is not a cause of baldness though. Brushing your hair only leads to split ends and hair breakage. It is advisable to use a wide-toothed comb as far as possible.
• Wearing hats causes hair loss
In order for the hair to fall out, the hat would have to be so tight that it cuts circulation to the follicles. So no, wearing hats does not cause hair loss. Could you just imagine how many pro sports players would be bald if that were the case?
• You can increase the number of hair follicles
You are born with all the follicles you'll ever have. The number of hair follicles is determined by genetics and cannot be changed by taking drugs or supplements. The only proven way to increase the number of follicles is by hair transplant surgery.
Similarly, the diameter of hair shaft, the maximum length of growth, rate of hair growth, hair color, tendency to curl, and tendency to gray are genetically determined.
• There is nothing you can do to prevent or treat hair loss
This last myth is probably the most misunderstood thing about hair loss. In the past, this was true - there was nothing that can be done about hair loss. But now, with advances in science and understanding about the nutritional needs of hair, men and women no longer have to live with hair loss.
Tell a friend
