Hair Loss Facts and Fiction

Posts by Melissa Colabella

The most common question my clients ask me is related to hair loss. How can they prevent it? Are they doomed because their mother's father went bald? Should they try the comb-over, cut it short, or just shave it all off? Below are some myths debunked.

Myth: Your hair loss genetic destiny comes from your mother's side.

Fact: According to http://www.hairlosslearningcenter.org/, hair loss and hair growth is set by a genetic combination determined by both sides of your family. Of course, if your family tree is filled with balding scalps, you do have a better chance of losing hair.

Myth: Blow Drying your hair or using product promotes hair loss.

Fact: Too much drying may lead to brittle and breakable hair, but men with shorter hairstyles are usually cutting their hair off way before any damage can begin to show. This is more of a concern with women who wear their hair long. And as for styling product and coloring processes resulting in hair loss, there’s no truth to that. These applications may cause some damage to the hair strands if you regularly choose poor quality products with a high alcohol or peroxide content. Regardless of what you put on the hair on your head, the root of the hair, located under the skin, stays safe.

Qu: Can medications cause hair loss?
 
Fact: According to Dr. Robert Leonard, a hair loss expert for Rogaine, There are a number of medications that can cause hair loss. The most common are, medication for blood thinners (e.g., Coumadin), anti-anxiety medications (specifically SSRIs like Prozac, Lexipro, and Zoloft), drugs that employ chemotherapy agents (e.g., Methotrexate and Tamoxifen) and the long-term use of steroids. To determine if your hair loss is due to medication, you must consult your doctor. Your doctor can then decide if you can switch medications

(Photo courtesy of Model Mayhem and is no way implying proof of steroid use.)
 
 
Myth: Lotions and potions can't regrow my hair.
 
Fact: According to Rogaine.com, a company that uses the active ingredient Minoxidil in their product, "In clinical testing, ROGAINE^® Foam regrew hair in 85% of men after 4 months when used twice daily." According to Nioxin.com, "NIOXIN® is not a hair loss product but a scalp and hair care regimen designed to improve the scalp health environment and improve the appearance of fine and thin looking hair. Regardless of the many contributing factors associated with thinning, using NIOXIN® to create an optimum scalp environment helps encourage healthy, thicker-looking hair." NIOXIN® products may be used simultaneously with Propecia®. The company does not recommend any NIOXIN® Treatments with Rogaine®. Propecia® is a registered trademark and product of Merck & Co. Inc. Rogaine® is a registered trademark and product of McNeil-PPC Inc.


Qu: What is the best way to style thinning or receding hair? Should I buzz it off? Comb it over? Grow it long? Keep it short?

Answer: That's best determined during a consultation with your stylist. Every individual has a unique hair texture, balding pattern, growth pattern and preference.