Does wearing a hat cause hair loss?

Does wearing a hat cause hair loss?

I’ve selected this question below for this week’s question of the week. It allows us to discuss one of the over 25 common myths pertaining to hair loss - wearing hats.

QUESTION

Does covering your head such as wearing a hat, over the head headphone, scarf, removable wigs cause hair loss? I often wear headphones and hats so wanted to know if it can cause pressure and lack of oxygen on the hair follicles leading to hair loss.

ANSWER

Thanks for the question. It’s a great question and one that I’m asked very very often. Simply put, wearing hats, headphones and scarves do not cause hair loss.

The oxygen finds its way to hair follicles through very tiny pipes deep under the scalp called blood vessels (capillaries). The oxygen does not come in through pores on the scalp. That’s where people go wrong in their assumption. The human scalp is very different than a plant. The scalp does not need to breathe. That’s simply a myth.

Oxygen arrives to hairs in tiny pipes in the scalp known as blood vessels. Oxygen does not enter that scalp via the pores. Wearing a hat does not affect the ability of there scalp to get oxygen. Humans should rest assured that the oxygen comes in through the pipes not pores.

Provided that pressure is light - like a hat or a scarf, there is no chance of hair loss. Off course if there pressure is considerable (like leaning the back of one’s head on a surgery table to 10 hours without moving it), of course there can be other forms of pressure alopecia. Similarly, if a scarf is tied tightly such that it pulls on the hair then yes, traction alopecia can result. Also, if the clips of a wig apply pressure to the scalp, then yes, the clips can rip out hair. But that form of hair loss is different than the type you are mentioning here.

Thanks again for the great question. Today, I am sure that thousands of parents across the world will falsely tell their son’s to stop wearing hats because it will cause hair loss. I’m sure that countless numbers of barbers and stylists will tell their clients to stop wearing hats too. How do I know this? I hear it every day!

The oxygen comes in through the pipes not the pores.

Thanks again for the wonderful question.