Guilford, CT (May 10, 2011) – Just in time for summer, the top 10 myths of summertime hair loss in men and women:

Hair Loss Fact vs Myth

1. Myth: Wearing a baseball cap or hats will cause thinning hair and loss of hair.
Truth: Hats off to this myth! No matter what your mother has told you, wearing a hat does not cause hair to thin or fall out.

2. Myth: Exposure to chlorine in swimming pools will cause hair loss.
Truth: Another dive in the truth department…chlorinated water can dry the hair shafts and make them more brittle, but does not cause hair to thin or fall out.

3. Myth: Applying sunscreen to the scalp will cause hair to thin and fall out.
Truth: No! Apply away; it is very important to use sunscreen on your scalp to prevent a burn and worse.

4. Myth: Swimming in saltwater will cause hair to dry out and fall out.
Truth: You won’t turn into a merman or mermaid so easily, keep surfing! Genetics is the root cause (sorry) of 98 percent of hair loss.

5. Myth: Brushing hair will help it grow?
Truth: The idea of brushing the hair 100 times a day to stimulate the scalp circulation is a fantasy. In fact, if you brush your hair too much, you may end up injuring and losing hair.

6. Myth: Braiding your hair at an exotic beach stand will cause your hair to fall out.

Truth: Short term braiding is fine; it is true, however, that certain hair styles, such as long term, tight corn-row braiding can permanently destroy follicles and cause hair loss. This is a preventable condition called traction alopecia. I would be more worried that the brushes and combs aren’t cleaned between clients.

7. Myth: Sexy summer activities cause less hair to fall out.
Truth: Too bad for this one, huh?!?

8. Myth: Blow drying wet hair after a day at the pool or beach will cause hair to fall out.
Truth: The truth is that there is no evidence that hair dryers cause thinning hair. However, too hot or too much drying may lead to brittle hair. You can save on electricity though!

9. Myth: Smoking cigarettes causes hair loss.
Truth: Cigarette smoking is medically BAD for everything, including your hair. Recent studies have found sufficient evidence to claim there is a significant link between smoking and hair loss. It’s still uncertain whether the connection is due to the effects of tobacco toxins, but it is probably due to the fact that nicotine constricts blood vessel throughout the body, including those directly affecting individual hair follicles.

10. Myth: Lack of Vitamins can cause hair loss.
Truth: Think about this – if you were losing hair because of a lack of vitamins or minerals in your diet, why wouldn’t the back and sides of your head be affected? In actuality, vitamin deficiency results in an even distribution of hair loss all over the head. However, steroids use can cause hair loss. Research has proven that anabolic steroids raise the levels of baldness-inducing male hormones. For those who are genetically prone to hair loss, this can speed up the loss in as little as 3 to 6 months. While this loss may be reversed, it can be permanent.

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Nikki Rasmussen, RN and owner of Yolo Laser Center & Med Spa, is setting the record straight on male and female hair loss. Dr. Scott Boden, Connecticut’s only Fellowship trained Hair transplantation Physician and founder of Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine center, is available by appointment to discuss client’s hair restoration options at both the Guilford and Wethersfield locations. yolomedspa.com https://www.facebook.com/yolomedspa