Hair, Hats, and Hair Loss: Separating Myths from Facts
Questioning if Headgear Contributes to Hair Thinning or Loss
Looking good on top of your head is a personal choice, whether sporting a beloved baseball cap, a stylish fedora atop a hijab, or occasionally rocking a beanie or beret. But does what you wear on your dome have a say in whether your mane continues to flourish?
Up ahead, let dermatologist John Anthony, MD help clear up the blurry line surrounding headgear and hair loss.
The Bottom Line: Hats and Hair Loss - Fact or Fiction?
"This is a contentious issue since the topic isn't extensively researched," Dr. Anthony admits. Nonetheless, there are a couple of widely cited studies investigating potential environmental factors for hair loss in both men and women.
In neither study was the wearing of hats linked to worsening hair thinning. A research of 92 male identical twins even revealed that daily hat-wearing males experienced less temple hair loss compared to their non-hat-donning counterparts. Conversely, a study of 98 identical female twins indicated that absence of headgear utilization was tied to increased hair loss in women.
You Might Wonder: What Causes Hair Loss?
First and foremost, it's essential to grasp the various types of hair loss and their root causes. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness, for example, are hereditary, while alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder. But generally speaking, hair loss is the outcome of a mix of factors, such as:
- Age
- Sexuality
- Genetics
- Hormones
- Medical conditions/medications
- Nutritional deficiencies
Wearing a Hat Every Day: Safe or Risky for Your Tresses?
While scientific consensus isn't unanimous, Dr. Anthony caution that consistent donning of headgear that's unduly tight or generates itchiness and scalp inflammation post-wear could pose some theoretical threats to your locks.
"We suspect that when hats are excessively tight or torrid, they could decrease blood flow to the hair follicles, potentially putting undue stress on them," he asserts. This stress may initially cause temporary hair loss that can, over time, progress into permanent follicle damage.
Your propensity for sporting tight hairstyles, like a ponytail or braids, to contain hair beneath a cap can also induce hair loss, but the risk originates from the styling itself - not the hat itself. Known as traction alopecia, this sort of hair loss occurs when there's constant tugging on hair roots.
But What about Other Head Coverings?
Traction alopecia is more prevalent among Black women, yet it can strike anyone who frequently decks themselves in head garments, such as religious head coverings (like a turban, hijab, or sheitel), or employs pins to secure head coverings (like skullcaps or nurses' caps), work-related headgear (like helmets or hard hats), and so on.
"If traction alopecia is caught quickly and the source of tension on your hair is removed, your hair may recuperate," Dr. Anthony posits. In the case of religious head coverings, adjusting the fabric of your hijab or the location of the hairpins you use to secure your kippah might aid in the hair's recovery.
To Cap it Off: Hats and Hair Loss, Explained
Short stints with hats won't impact hair loss, but frequent usage remains a gray area.
"A loosely fitting hat might be a wiser choice than a closely knit cap or tight baseball hat," Dr. Anthony advises (wink, wink, bucket hat enthusiasts).
However, if you're obliged to wear a specific type of headgear daily - for religious or work-related reasons, for instance - it might be prudent to chat with a dermatologist about long-term hair protection strategies.
- Despite lacking extensive research, some studies suggest that the use of hats might not worsen hair loss in both men and women, with one study even showing less temple hair loss in male daily hat-wearers compared to non-hat-wearers.
- Conscious of the potential for tight or itchy headgear to cause harm, dermatologist John Anthony advises that consistent wearing of unduly tight hats could theoretically put stress on hair follicles, potentially leading to temporary hair loss and, over time, permanent follicle damage.
- Wearing head coverings like religious headgear, helmets, or hard hats can also lead to traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by constant tugging on hair roots, but this risk primarily stems from the styling itself rather than the head covering itself.
