Does Wearing A Hat Cause Hair Loss? 8 Ways To Prevent It

Wearing hats too often, especially tight ones, can lead to hair loss indirectly.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Nithya Raghunath, MBBS, MD

Dr. Nithya Raghunath is a leading dermatologist and cosmetologist practicing at Contura Clinic in Bengaluru, India. She has over 13 years of experience and specializes in various dermatological and cosmetic treatments, including lasers, hai... more

Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech Experience: 7 years

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more

Edited by Eshna Das, BA, MSc Experience: 3 years

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, ... more

Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Experience: 4 years

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global Univers... more

• Feb 5, 2024

Does Wearing A Hat Cause Hair Loss? 8 Ways To Prevent It

Image: Shutterstock

Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Diane Keaton, and even Charlie Chaplin would agree that hats are amazing! However, rumor has it that hats cause hair loss. Do you find some hair strands on your hat whenever you wear or remove it? A few hair strands might not be a cause for concern. But severe hair fall might warrant a visit to your doctor.

Do hats cause hair loss? If yes, what precautions can you take? Keep reading to learn more.

In This Article

Can Wearing A Hat Make You Bald

No scientific evidence suggests that wearing a hat causes male or female pattern baldness. A study in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) showed that it is not a single factor, but a combination of different environmental factors, which contributes to hair loss (1).

Another study showed that wearing headgear results in localized hair loss, though hair regrowth begins once the headgear use is discontinued (2). According to Cleveland Clinic Dermatologist Dr. John Anthony, MD , wearing a tight hat decreases blood flow to the hair follicles and stresses them, resulting in hair fall. Though the hair loss is temporary, it can become permanent over time if no corrections are made.

Did You Know?

There was a custom in America in the 1920s where it was common to beat someone who wore straw hats after the 15 September.

If the possible link between wearing a hat and hair loss concerns you, and so does the prospect of quitting on hats, this is what you can do – wear a loose-fitting hat and not a tighter one. Sporting a tight hat can irritate or inflame the scalp, cause follicles to lose strength, and potentially result in hair loss. The following section discusses how traction (or friction) can cause hair loss.

Hats And Traction (Friction) Alopecia

Traction (or friction) alopecia can develop from the regular use of tight hats, braids, tight bands, clips, helmets, or any other headgear. These can take a toll on hair health as they constantly tug and rub on your scalp. If not fixed right away, these can eventually lead to alopecia (3).

A retrospective study including data from 2,835 people evaluated at specialist hair clinics in Europe, America, Africa, and Australia found female predominance in traction alopecia, as 98% of participants with traction alopecia were women. Among them, 1.9% had the condition diagnosed.

Pro Tip

Dirty hats or those worn for extended periods without cleaning may accumulate sweat and dirt that may affect hair health.

But the most common causes of alopecia or hair thinning include genes, hormonal imbalances, among others.

Other Causes Of Hair Loss

Genetics: If you have a family history of hair fall, you also may experience the same (4).
Stress: Emotional and physiological stress can result in temporary hair loss, a condition medically termed as telogen effluvium (5). This condition can make the hair follicles undernourished and weak, leading to rapid hair loss.
Hormonal Imbalances: Androgenic hormonal dysfunctions or secretion of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) weaken the hair roots and hair follicles, resulting in abnormal hair loss (6).
Nutrient Deficiency: Nutritional deficiencies may impact hair health. Sudden weight loss or lack of adequate protein in the diet weakens the hair roots and leads to hair shedding or loss (7).
Medications: Hair loss and baldness can be a side effect of certain medications and supplements. Medicines for thyroid dysfunction, heart disease, and depression may cause hair fall (8).
Childbirth: Postpartum telogen effluvium (PPTE), or post-pregnancy hair fall, happens due to the psychological stress a body undergoes during childbirth (9).
Chemotherapy Hair Loss: Chemotherapy may cause hair loss due to the impact on rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles. Many patients may suffer from chemotherapy-induced alopecia (10).
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Hair Loss: PCOS may contribute to hair loss due to hormonal imbalances. Patches of hair loss and hair thinning have often been common symptoms of PCOS (11).
Menopause Hair Loss: Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can lead to hair loss and a decrease in natural hair growth (12). The estrogen levels in the body decline, leading to hair thinning and shedding.
Vitamin D Deficiency Hair Loss: Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to hair loss problems, such as alopecia areata, female pattern hair loss, and telogen effluvium (13).

If you regularly wear hats, braids, or bands, the following tips may help you reduce the chances of hair loss.

Tips To Prevent Hair Loss

Do not wear tight hats or caps for too long, as they may result in sweat accumulation and loosen the hair roots.
Tight braids also can damage hair. Avoid twisting, stroking, and tugging hair for too long.
Protect your delicate strands from the sun and the UV rays by wearing a cotton scarf, a loose hat, or other forms of head protection.
Do not abuse your hair with excess chemical processes or heat treatments.
Check with a dermatologist if you are on medications or hormonal therapy.
Lower your stress levels by practicing deep breathing techniques and meditation. Learn to think positively. Indulge yourself in your favorite hobbies.
Avoid smoking, as it can lead to hair fall (14).
Keep your head sweat-free. Sweat accumulation can lead to a scalp infection. It also can clog the scalp pores and lead to hair fall.

There is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that hats cause hair loss. In fact, it indicates that a culmination of various environmental factors leads to hair loss. Wearing tight hats can lead to hair fall, but once you discontinue flaunting this head accessory, hair fall stops and hair regrowth ensues. Tight hats, just like tight hairstyles, can cause traction alopecia where the hair roots are pulled on, leading to hair fall. If you are experiencing hair loss, it might not be solely caused due to wearing hats. It is best to consult a doctor to get to the root cause of hair loss and undergo the right treatments to stimulate hair growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wearing a hat help hair grow?

No. Wearing a hat will not help your hair grow. However, wearing comfortable hats that do not itch or tug at your hair can help protect it against environmental pollutants.

Does wearing a hat every day affect hair growth?

No. There is no scientific evidence to prove that wearing a hat every day has any kind of impact on hair growth.

Key Takeaways

A combination of different environmental factors contributes to hair loss.
Sporting a tight hat can irritate or inflame the scalp, cause follicles to lose strength, and potentially result in hair loss.
Sudden weight loss or lack of adequate protein in the diet weakens the hair roots and leads to hair shedding or loss.

Demystify hair myths like wearing a hat leads to hair loss in this video! The expert gives insights and a thorough examination, debunking the notion that hats contribute to hair loss. Click here to see!

References

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