[Billy Thompson]

Billy Thompson  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the wonderful podcast, I have been listening for years and thoroughly enjoy what you guys are doing.

Here in Texas a lot of people wear hats almost all the time. I have often heard that wearing a hat all the time causes baldness. Any truth to this, and if so, why?

Peace,
Billy

What do you think?

[RD]

Hats and baldness are associated:
If you’re bald you’re more likely to wear a hat for practical or cosmetic reasons than someone who has a full head of hair.

Saying “don’t get a hat: you’ll go bald” is like saying “don’t get a Labrador: you’ll go blind”  [].

[Geezer]

Yes, but as the advert used to say,

"If you want to get a hat, get a head."

(Or maybe it was the other way around. I can never remember.)

[alisonmat1]

just been browsing. i have also heard that putting long hair in a ponytail causes hair loss. whats the truth behind causes of hair loss?

[RD]

i have also heard that putting long hair in a ponytail causes hair loss.

Maybe if you are attempting the Essex facelift.

[alisonmat1]

haha luckily that isnt my intention. just heard that having hair up - even loosely - every day or too often can cause loss...

[CZARCAR]

constrained airflow to follicles might kill follicles? Currently on tv is an ad selling a hair removal heat/light gizmo which purports that after so many treatments the follicles die

[alisonmat1]

but would you consider tying your hair back as a treatment?

[CZARCAR]

follicles live & die normally. Its the rplacement of the old follicles with new follicles which avert baldness & that is genetic

[alisonmat1]

but if you tie your hair back that has nothing to do with genes? i know what you mean though about genetics, strength of hair etc

[CliffordK]

Perhaps one should ask whether hair-pieces cause baldness.
As I've only heard of bald people wearing them!!!!!!!!
What about "combovers"?  Obviously a causative factor!!!!!!!!!!

Some hair falls out normally.  A little tension (without yanking) probably wouldn't hurt as the healthy hair will stay put.  And, with many things in the body, a little stress actually makes it stronger (shafts are dead, but follicles aren't).

It is a good point that a genetic predisposition to loose hair is not affected by hats, hairpieces, or combing.

[alisonmat1]

i heard stress makes hair loss worse...?

[dtootill]

Yes. If you are bald, you will never know why, apart from genetics. If you are not bald, and avoided hats deliberately, what is the scientific proof that it worked? Only those who avoided hats can enter this discussion.