Do hats cause hair loss? Getting past the myths

It's easy to get swept up in hysteria when trying to take care of your hair, so let's look at one of the biggest myths out there. On the surface, it seems that wearing a hat could indeed impact hair loss. After all, many people choose one regularly, and over time it stands to reason that a cap could slowly pull more and more follicles out. If you're a hat fan, though, you'll be happy to know that this doesn't seem to be the case, at least according to some sources.

Are there some situations where a hat might pull hair out, or at least weaken it? Perhaps. But according to a LiveScience article, there's no real evidence that this is the case. The matter comes down to a condition called "traction alopecia," which is when gradual strain on the hair causes it to fall out over time.

Naturally, there's reason to be wary about this. In most cases, though, simply wearing a hat probably won't cause enough pull to qualify. To truly have an impact, the hair needs to be pulled, not just covered, which is why hairstyles such as the ponytail are more likely culprits.

That being said, it is worth paying attention to the kind of hat you wear, and how it sits on your skull. If you're fond of caps with adjustable brims, it might be a good idea to adjust the size so it sits looser on the scalp. Like a lot of myths, there may be a small grain of truth to this idea: Just don't let it make you overly cautious.

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