HAIR LOSS MYTH OR FACT?

Hair loss can seem like a mystery. While there is still so much to learn, science is turning some unknowns into truths. Read on for more information about some common hair loss beliefs - Myth, Fact, or 🤔?

1. MYTH OR FACT? TO KNOW IF HAIR LOSS IS IN YOUR FUTURE, LOOK TO YOUR MOM’S DAD.

It's not that simple.

There is a genetic predisposition to hair loss - that is fact! But no one relative is your hair’s crystal ball. The genetic predisposition can come from either side. Or neither side.

Dr. Antonella Tosti, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Miami, clarifies that a genetic predisposition does not mean your hair's future is predetermined. "You can have direct relatives who are completely bald while you avoid major hair loss issues. Or, both parents can have a full head of hair while yours is not. Environmental factors and lifestyle play a big role too.”

2. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING HAIR LOSS, TAKING VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP.

It depends.

If you have certain nutritional deficiencies, taking vitamins and supplements to fill nutritional gaps can help with hair loss. However, if you get the vitamins and nutrients you need from a balanced diet, it is unlikely you will see hair changes with supplements.

Deficiencies in micronutrients like vitamin D, zinc and iron are linked to hair loss, with iron-deficiencies being an issue for more women than men. Protein, a macronutrient, is also important as protein makes up more than 80% of each hair fiber

In the US, our diets are sufficient in calories but often insufficient in nutrients. If you want to know your nutrient levels, your physician can run a simple blood test to find out.

3. HAIR LOSS IS MORE COMMON NOW THEN EVER.

It’s not clear.

We are not aware of any data tracking the incidence of hair loss across generations to know for sure. Dr. Tosti is doubtful. She believes, “we just pay more attention to it now. We’re more aware of treatments and more likely to seek help for hair loss than the generations before us.”