Will Hats Cause Hair Loss?
When you have thinning hair, it's normal to wonder what's causing it and whether there's anything you can do to stop it. It's a commonly held notion that wearing a hat every day can cause hair loss, especially in men.
But is that true? Does wearing a hat increase hair loss?
Causes of Thinning Hair
In general, it's well-accepted that most cases of thinning hair are caused by some combination of the following:
But what about hat-wearing? Does it cause or exacerbate hair loss?
What the Research Says About Hats and Thinning Hair
In one study, researchers looked at 92 sets of identical male twins to study male pattern baldness and hats. Doing this allowed them to rule out genetics as the cause of any differences they saw in rates of baldness. That study revealed that hat-wearing led to decreased hair loss on the front of the head.(458)
The Bottom Line on Hats and Thinning Hair
More research needs to be focused on this area to know for sure, but many hair care specialists feel that hats can protect hair from UV damage and other environmental factors.
However, wearing a tight hat that causes the scalp to get too hot or decreases circulation to the hair follicles or one that rubs over the hair continuously, causing breakage, may make thinning hair worse. Also, removing and replacing a hat often or moving it around on the head can cause hair to break and fall out prematurely.
Here's a hat that may actually help regrow hair when worn a few times a week: Hairmax Hat.