TL;DR:
- Hair naturally falls out during the hair growth cycle (anagen, catagen, telogen) and regrows unless affected by scarring or androgenetic alopecia.
- Both men and women experience androgenetic alopecia, though it presents differently; men often get receding hairlines, while women experience overall thinning.
- Cutting hair does not stop hair loss; short hair only appears thicker visually.
- Genetics don't fully determine baldness; stress, anemia, hypothyroidism, and medications can also contribute.
- Diet deficiencies rarely cause hair loss, but stress and restrictive diets can. Foods rich in zinc, B3, B5, and folic acid help.
- Washing hair frequently doesn't cause loss; keeping the scalp clean prevents clogged follicles.
- Severe cases may require trichologist consultation, treatments like mesotherapy, or hair transplants.
Hair loss is a very common problem, so thinning hair is stressful and motivates people to seek information on causes and effective treatments. Unfortunately, there are still many myths about baldness that are misleading and distant from the real solution to the problem.
If hair falls out from the roots, it will never grow back
We often evaluate hair loss by observing whether there is a white or transparent bulb at the end. However, it is worth remembering that this is a completely natural phenomenon. If you see hair without roots on the brush, it means that it is breaking. Under the skin, on the other hand, a follicle remains, from which another hair grows. The hair growth cycle consists of several phases:
- Anagen – the active growth phase (intensive division of cells in the hair follicle to produce the next hair),
- Catagen – transitional phase of hair growth, remodeling processes begin, until finally the matrix disappears and the hair is slowly pushed to the surface of the skin.
- Telogen – resting phase, the hair dies, the follicle leaves the follicle (often pushed out by the next hair in the anagen phase), and eventually the hair falls out.
Such a cycle actually repeats itself many times during our lifetime. However, there are times when the hair does not grow back – this happens in cases of scarring and androgenetic alopecia, in which case a hair transplant is the solution.
Only men go bald
Indeed, the problem of baldness affects men more often than women. However, this does not mean that androgenetic alopecia only affects men. It also occurs in women, although it usually takes a different form: instead of the so-called bends, there is usually thinning of hair all over the head, especially in the frontal and parietal areas. Hair falls out, and those that remain become thinner and lighter.
If hair is falling out, it needs to be cut off
There used to be a belief that long hair is too heavy and therefore falls out, so cutting it off stops the loss. However, this is a myth, and short hair only visually appears thicker, because the strands at the ends are thinner than at the roots. However, getting rid of the thinnest part will not make the number of hairs increase.
I'm not going bald because it's not in my genes.
Unfortunately, the fact that your parents or grandparents have beautiful, lush hair does not guarantee that it will be the same for you. Indeed, androgenetic alopecia is hereditary, but telogenetic alopecia, for example, is not written in the genes. Hair loss can result, for example, from chronic stress, anemia, hypothyroidism or taking certain medications. Genetic factors are important, but the causes of baldness can vary.
A good diet always stops hair loss.
Of course, nutritional deficiencies can be the cause of hair loss, but this is not as common as you might think. In an average diet, we usually provide ourselves with enough nutrients to protect ourselves from thinning hair. Rather, the loss is due to anemia or very restrictive weight loss diets. If your hair is falling out, however, it's worth taking a closer look at your lifestyle: try to relieve stress and incorporate more foods into your diet that contain:
- Zinc – seafood, liver, yellow cheeses, buckwheat groats, eggs,
- Vitamin B3 – sea fish, meat, whole grain cereals, yeast, legumes, nuts,
- Vitamin B5 – chicken, liver, milk and milk products, eggs, potatoes, broccoli, legumes,
- Folic acid – spinach, lettuce, white beans, parsley, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, eggs.
If home remedies don't work, it's a good idea to consult a trichologist, a specialist who will find the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Often, direct nourishment of the scalp, i.e. scalp needle mesotherapy, gives better results than a healthy diet. Here, for example, platelet-rich plasma, fibrin or amino acids can be used to help fight excessive hair loss.
Washing too often causes greasiness and hair loss.
In the past, the belief that washing hair too often reflects negatively on the condition of the hair used to be humbled. In reality, however, it has the opposite effect, as making the scalp too oily causes the follicle mouths to become pitted, resulting in more intense hair loss. Hair should be washed as often as necessary. However, if you are going to a trichologist, you should not wash your head immediately before the appointment. It's better to do it at the latest 24 hours before the examination so that the results are more reliable. Dealing with the problem of hair loss is not always possible with home remedies, so in many cases it is worth going to a trichologist, who will advise you on what to do next. Of course, it's a good idea to start by getting stress under control and eating a healthy diet, but this is not enough in the case of androgenetic alopecia, for example. Implementing the right treatment and, as a last resort, a transplant, allow you to deal with the problem of hair loss and regain a lush hairstyle.
Conclusion
Hair loss is often misunderstood, leading to myths that confuse the real facts. Baldness can affect anyone, and its causes vary—genes, health, or stress. While lifestyle changes help, some cases need medical treatment or even a transplant. Cutting your hair or blaming your shampoo won’t solve it. Instead, focus on proper care, accurate diagnosis, and expert advice. Hair loss can feel overwhelming, but solutions exist. The key is understanding the real issues and acting early. Don't let myths hold you back—real help is available.
