Do Hats Cause Hair Loss? Common Myths Debunked

27% of males with hair loss wear hats to cover their bald spots (Lloyds Pharmacy). But, is wearing that hat every day making your hair loss even worse? In this blog, Dr. Bruce Marko explores common misconceptions about whether or not wearing a hat causes hair loss.

Do Hats Cause Hair Loss? The Truth…

No, wearing a hat does not cause hair loss. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness (aka androgenetic alopecia) is a genetic condition. This means you will continue to lose hair whether you wear a hat or not.

More likely causes of hair loss include:

• your age
• genetics
• stress levels
• hormone imbalances
• your diet
• certain conditions
• smoking & alcohol use
• scalp hygiene

In fact, wearing a hat offers your hair and scalp protection from the elements and harmful sun exposure.

So rest assured, if you’re wearing a hat to cover your receding hairline, it’s not going to make it worse.

What if I wear a hat every day?

No, even if you wear a hat every single day, it will not contribute to hair loss. The only exception is if you wear an extremely tight hat, as this can lead to traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia is another form of hair loss caused by continuous tension or pulling on the hair over time. Typically, this condition is associated with those who wear hairstyles that tightly pull on the hair, like ponytails, braids, buns, or cornrows. This constant tension damages hair follicles, leading to breakage and eventually permanent hair loss.

Hats are not typically a common cause of traction alopecia. However, if you wear a hat or helmet that is extremely tight or heavy for long periods of time, you could experience traction alopecia.

To fix this, just choose a hat that fits comfortably, without creating pressure on the hairline.

What if I wear a hat backwards?

The answer is still no, wearing a hat backwards does not cause hair loss. If someone tells you this, you can confidently let them know this is not true. Even if wearing it backwards creates some friction against your hair, it’s probably not enough to cause hair loss. Again, just make sure it’s not too tight.

Hair Loss Solutions:

If you have concerns about your hair loss, get in touch with hair restoration specialist Dr. Bruce Marko at RESTORE hair clinic. They offer their pioneering No-Shave FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant technique, as well as non-surgical options.