There are so many myths about hair growth and hair loss.
Hair is one of the most unique parts of our body. Everyone has different kinds of hair, from silky straight to voluminous and curly. It can be found in all colors, textures, lengths and can go through many changes throughout an individual’s life.
Haircut, style, and hair color may all go through transitions every other day. Hair is also sensitive and requires maintenance so it can stay healthy, clean, and fresh.
Hair Loss and Balding
As much as it is unique, it is prone to common problems almost everyone faces; hair loss and balding. It feels like an existential threat to see one’s hairline receding or discovering a bald spot.
Let’s try to get the facts straight and expose the myths about hair growth and balding.
Interesting Facts About Hair
- The average person has 100,000-150,000 strands of hair on their head.
- On average, you shed around 50-150 strands of hair a day.
- Hair is the second-fastest-growing tissue in the body after bone marrow.
- A healthy strand of hair can stretch an additional 30% when it’s wet. Water can stretch the hair to its original length because of hydrogen bonds, and it becomes shorter as soon as it dries.
- A new hair will normally begin to grow in the follicle as soon as the previous one is plucked.
- At any given time, 90% of one’s hair is growing, while the other 10% is resting.
- A single hair has a lifespan of about five years on average, but it varies.
- A strand of hair is stronger than copper wire of the same diameter. Each strand of hair can support up to 100 grams of weight.
- Goosebumps occur when the tiny muscles for each hair strand contract, often when we are cold or scared.
- Hair is made up of mostly keratin, the same substance as the hooves, manes, and tails of horses. It is also the same protein found in the outer layer of our skin and our fingernails.
- Hair may grow quicker in warm climates. This is because heat stimulates blood circulation in the body, including the scalp, promoting better hair growth.
- Black is the most common hair color, and red is the rarest. 1% of the world’s population has natural red hair, while 2% has natural blonde.
- DNA information can be obtained from hair and used as forensic evidence in criminal investigations.
- Cutting your hair doesn’t influence how fast your hair will grow.
Facts About Balding
- Heredity is the most common cause of hair loss. It is known as “Androgenetic Alopecia” or pattern baldness, sometimes referred to as MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) in men.
- Hereditary baldness is not caused by the hair suddenly falling out and not regrowing. It is caused by a gradual miniturization of the hair follicle, where the follicles become weaker and smaller, and the hair is shed and replaced by finer, shorter, and thinner hair until the follicle no longer can grow or hold hair at all.
- About 85% of men have male pattern hair loss by the age of 50.
- In 25% of men who have gene-derived hair loss, their hair starts thinning before they’re 21 years old.
- 40% of women will have female pattern hair loss by the time they reach menopause.
- Hereditary pattern baldness is more commonly inherited from the mother’s side of the family, but hair loss can be inherited from either side or both.
Facts About Hair Growth
- You are born with all of the follicles you will ever have about which are about 5 million. These follicles are located all over the body, not just your head. On your scalp, you have about 100,000 follicles.
- You lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. Each scalp follicle grows hair for a few years and then enters a resting phase. After the resting phase, the hair is shed from the follicle and new hair starts growing in the follicle, repeating the cycle.
- As people with pattern baldness age, an increasing number of their hair follicles on the scalp will be unable to grow or hold onto hair. They are increasingly more likely to experience hair loss as they age.
- Male hair grows faster than female hair.
- Hair type doesn’t matter for hair growth, because, on average, hair typically grows about half an inch per month.
Myths About Hair
- Brush 100 strokes a day for healthy hair: Brushing is a form of friction that may damage hair if done in excess. But still, gentle brushing or massaging can be beneficial as it can increase scalp circulation and distribute natural hair oil evenly.
- Stress turns your hair gray. Going gray is a genetic factor. When the cells that produce melanin no longer produce color, they start turning gray.
- Frequent trims make hair grow faster: Hair grows from the follicles, and the rest of the strand of hair is dead. Trimming prevents split ends from creeping farther up the hair, but it certainly does not help it grow faster.
- If you pluck one gray hair, two more will grow in its place: Plucking one or more gray hair will not grow more gray hair. The growth of gray hair is due to genetics and the absence of melanin. But still, plucking gray hair may lead to thinning or scarring, which could prevent regrowth on the same spot.
- You should skip conditioner if you have greasy hair: Greasy hair is caused due to the secretion of too much sebum by the scalp tissue. Conditioner is important for hair as it can provide hydration, nourishment, and protection to your hair.
Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?
Yes, stress and hair loss can be related. A type of temporary hair loss is called Telogen effluvium, where significant stress pushes a large number of hair follicles from the growth phase into the resting phase. Once the hair is in the resting phase, it will eventually shed after a few weeks or months and may start falling out just by brushing or washing. This type of hair loss should stop a few months after the stress is reduced to previous levels.
Does Cutting or Trimming Hair Short Help Hair Loss?
No, cutting or trimming hair does not help hair loss or hair growth as both are due to hair follicles and not the actual hair strands. Trimming or cutting hair will remove the split ends, making your hair look healthier, but it has no impact on hair loss or growth.