Common Hair Fall Myths and Misconceptions

There are various causes of hair fall, and what triggers hair fall will vary from person to person. Hair fall and excess fall is a common concern for many Australians, with almost half the population experiencing hair fall at some point in their lives^1,2. Misconceptions around hair fall and hair thinning are rife, so it’s important to separate fact from fiction before giving your hair care routine a complete overhaul. With this in mind, we have consulted the expertise of the hair care specialists at Kérastase Australia to quash common hair fall myths and illuminate potential pathways.

Myth #1: Only men experience hair fall

One of the most common hair fall myths is that it only affects men. Yet, while male pattern baldness is often talked about more readily, hair fall and thinning can impact approximately 49% of women throughout their lifetime¹.

Pattern hair fall occurs gradually over time, though this pattern will differ between men and women. For men, recession often starts on the crown and the front of the hair line. Conversely, women tend to notice diffuse thinning and a change in density across the central scalp, signified by a widening of the part.

Myth #2: Hair fall only happens when you’re older

We’ve debunked the common hair fall myth surrounding gender, now for another: age. A lot of people might be under the misconception that that hair loss is only something that happens when you get older. Despite hair loss becoming increasingly more common from a person’s twenties, thirties and forties, it can actually begin any time after puberty³.

Depending on what triggers hair loss in women, it can affect women of various ages – though most women will show signs of thinning hair by age 50⁴. Due to significant hormonal changes, hair loss becomes more common after menopause⁴.

Regardless of age, hair loss and thinning can be distressing – but there are plenty of fortifying, anti-hair fall products that can help strengthen the hair like the Spécifique Aminexil Force R Scalp Treatment. This is an intensive, six-week, at-home treatment designed to target hair fall, preserve density and offer scalp care.

Myth #3: All hair fall is genetic

While it’s true that certain types of hair loss (such as androgenetic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness) are dictated by genetics, hair loss can also be caused by a range of different factors. These include:

• vitamin deficiencies
• hormonal imbalances
• postpartum
• chronic stress
• underlying medical conditions
• certain drugs and medications⁵

These are examples of hair loss triggers that prematurely push hairs from the ‘growing’ phase to the ‘shedding’ phase. So, while stress can cause hair loss or dietary deficiencies can disrupt the natural hair cycle, recognising your hair loss trigger can often help stop unnecessary hair shedding and give you the tools to avoid hair loss in the future.

Myth #4: Washing your hair too often causes hair fall

People are often more aware of hair fall as they are washing their hair. This is because hair that is destined to shed naturally becomes ‘loosened’ during a hair wash. If you stretch out your hair washes or wear your hair up for consecutive days, this may be why you notice more hair fall in the shower or when you brush your hair.

Washing your hair with a shampoo formulated to your hair type is essential in removing product buildup and excess sebum – all of which promotes a well-balanced scalp. As such, hair washing isn’t something to be avoided, and some hair types will simply need more frequent washing than others.

While hair fall is a natural stage of the hair growth cycle, there is still a barometer to gauge how much hair loss is normal. Shedding between 50 to 100 hairs per day is considered normal⁶, but if you are experiencing significantly more hair fall, this could point to a disruption in the hair cycle. If you suspect you are experiencing significant hair fall, you may want to consult a medical professional for more information.

Myth #5: Hats can cause hair fall

This one might sound a little obscure, but it’s actually a fairly common hair fall myth. However, there is no evidence to indicate that wearing a hat causes hair loss. That being said, some people do experience a specific type of hair loss called traction alopecia. This is the result of repeated, continual strain on the hair follicles, which can happen from overly tight hairstyles, hair extensions or, in some cases, extremely tight headwear. However, there would have to be severe tension over an extended period of time – and there is no true causality between hats and hair loss or thinning.

If you are concerned about breakage or weakened hair, consider incorporating the Genesis Anti-Breakage Fortifying Treatment into your hair care regime. This treatment can be used daily over a period of six weeks to help curb breakage, boost density, re-anchor the hair fibre, and offer better resistance to traction.