Many times, the first person to notice some hair loss is your barber. Hair loss is a concern for many people, both men and women, and most people want to know if there’s anything they can do to slow or prevent it. There are so many of myths out there, and it’s hard to know which are true. Today, we’ll do a bit of myth-busting to clear the air about common misconceptions. 

Myth: Blame your mom for early hair loss.

Facts: Hair loss isn’t caused by just one gene, so the tendency to get earlier or more excessive hair loss doesn’t just come from your mom’s side. There are multiple factors that might make you more prone to early hair loss, including genes from both parents and interactions that we don’t yet fully understand. 

Myth: It doesn’t matter how you eat, because it won’t help hair loss.

Facts: Nutrition can play a role. It’s rare here in the US for hair loss to be caused by malnutrition, although a restrictive crash diet may help cause temporary hair loss. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat a good diet regardless. A balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is always important for your overall health and the health of your scalp.

Myth: Using lots of styling products will cause hair loss.

Facts: If you love a great gelled-up style, use lots of mousse, or are partial to the waxed look, have no fear. None of these products cause hair loss. Instead, most early hair loss is genetic, so you can go ahead and show off your style without worry.

Myth: Hats make you bald.

Facts: This myth has been around for a while, with many people afraid to wear hats as a result. But hat-loving people can rejoice – hats just don’t cause hair loss. There are a couple of exceptions: wearing extremely tight hats and wearing dirty hats. Constant tugging and pulling from tight hats might cause you to lose a few hairs in some areas, and dirty hats that are full of bacteria can irritate your scalp. But a well-fitting, clean cap will keep you stylish without worrying about hair loss.

Myth: There’s nothing we can do to stop hair loss.

Facts: There is some help for hair loss, with two FDA-approved treatments available for the condition. Their effectiveness varies by individual, but they offer some promising hope. If you have any questions about medical treatments for hair loss, ask your doctor.

In the meantime, your barber knows how to make your hair look great, whether you have a thick head of hair or have experienced some thinning. Make an appointment today at The Ultimate Barber. Our professional barbers know how to make every head of hair look great, and we even offer scalp treatments to keep your scalp in top shape to support hair growth. You can find us at 2712 Jefferson Davis Highway in Alexandria, call 571-483-0032, or book your appointment online. To manage appointments right from your mobile device, download our free Ultimate Barber mobile app on iTunes,  Google Play, or Amazon.