With the majority of men over 50 experiencing hair loss, male pattern balding is a common issue. Despite its prevalence, the condition is popularly misunderstood. Don’t believe these three oft-repeated myths about what causes thinning or receding hair. 

Debunking 3 Myths About the Causes of Male Baldness 

1. Grooming Causes Hair Loss

Whether you need a lot of pomade for your pompadour or like to tease your hair into lofty peaks with mousse and hairspray, you might worry that excessive use of hair products will accelerate the rate of hair loss. That’s entirely a myth. Changing your color also won’t generally affect how much hair you have on your head, unless you have an allergy to the product. Groom and dye without fear and step out looking your best.

2. Catching Too Many Rays Causes Balding

If you enjoy soaking up the sun and getting a tan, worry about your skin, not hair loss. While sun exposure can make the hair shaft brittle, that will only lead to temporary shedding, not permanent baldness. If you want to keep your hair lustrous, wear a hat to block the rays – which leads to the third myth below. 

3. Hats Will Stifle Your Hair

There’s some truth to this myth. Restrictive hat bands can lead to traction alopecia over time. In layman terms, that’s baldness caused by hair being pulled too tightly on a routine basis. If you’ve noticed bald or sparse patches after you’ve been wearing a hat frequently, loosen the cap or find a larger size. This type of hair loss is relatively rare in men, however, so there’s no need to stress about your baseball cap causing long-term baldness.

The truth is that balding usually has more to do with your genes and hormones. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to live with hair loss, as many treatments are available. For those in the Rochester, NY, area, New U provides a range of approaches to slow the process and even restore your locks. Their offerings include laser hair therapy, hair transplants, and non-surgical hair replacement. To learn more about your options, visit them online or call (585) 272-7320 for a consultation.