If you're someone who regularly wears a head covering, there can be that nagging question: Is this causing my hair to fall out?
That is a constant worry for many, whether they wear a head scarf or a beloved baseball cap. And while treatments for hair loss abound , knowing the best solution for your body can be a tough decision among supplements , surgeries and wellness trends . Most importantly, you are not alone: Hair loss is extremely common − androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss , impacts more than 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States.
Here's what to know about what causes hair loss and what you can do about it.
Are you losing your hair? A dermatologist breaks down some FAQs .
Does wearing a hat cause baldness?
A head covering alone doesn't cause baldness, according to Dr. Mansha Sethi , board-certified dermatologist at Pennsylvania's St. Luke’s University Health Network. Most of the time, the source of hair loss comes from within our bodies, and hair loss is a signal of that condition.
"Wearing a cap is not considered a huge factor in hair loss," Sethi said. "We just advise against caps that are tight or cause traction on the scalp."
Our hair grows in a three-phase cycle, according to NYU Langone Health , and naturally in that cycle we lose from 50 to 100 hair follicles a day.
A number of health factors can disrupt this process, though, causing hair growth to stall or limit.
It could be hereditary, as with androgenetic alopecia. Or caused by thyroid imbalance, childbirth, surgery, as well as vitamin or mineral deficiency could be a contributor, causing hair to enter a "resting phase" and not replenish, NYU says . There's also the hair loss that's the side effect of medical treatment like chemotherapy . Autoimmune conditions, such as alopecia areata, also factor into hair thinning by causing the immune system to attack hair follicles and drive hair loss, according to the National Institutes of Health .
"Genetics play a role specifically in age of onset and pattern of hair loss," Sethi said. "Both maternal and paternal genetics are involved. Sensitivity of the hair follicles to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) determines scalp areas affected. For most men, the front and top of scalp are the two most involved regions. Since DHT is produced from testosterone, high testosterone levels can exacerbate hair loss."
Other factors that can cause hair loss are low iron, low vitamin D, low protein intake, thyroid disease, rapid weight loss (for instance with meds like Ozempic), severe illness, high chronic stress, she said.
Hair loss could also be due to infection. Scalp ringworm, tinea capitis , forms a rash and makes it impossible for hair to grow in affected patches of skin.
While your hat isn't to blame, some fashions can exacerbate loss. Extremely tight ponytails or other styles, heavy tracks of hair extensions , weaves and cosmetic heat treatments that pull on our hair can also attribute to hair loss, according to American Academy of Dermatology Association .
Can hair loss be reversed?
"Yes, if it is not too advanced and has not led to scarring of the hair follicles," Sethi said. "Hair loss is best treated in its early stages."
Your ability to reverse hair loss is largely determined by what's at the root cause of losing your hair, according to Harvard Health . Sometimes hair loss stops on its own, especially if it's stress related or due to a hormonal imbalance. For postpartum people, pregnancy-related hair loss also subsides typically within a few months after giving birth, according to the Cleveland Clinic . Talk to your doctor about your hair loss, and they may be able to help you find the internal source.
"Finding the cause of the hair loss is the first step so treatment can be targeted," Sethi said. "My phone is inundated with hair loss solutions, some often too good to be true, so it is important to do your research, talk to a hair loss specialist and not waste your money on useless products. "
FDA-approved minoxidil, topical drugs, supplements, oral medications or hair transplant surgery are options for pattern baldness or genetic hair-loss, but remember that like with any medications, these can come with side effects . Certain supplements like saw palmetto, ashwagandha and pumpkin seed oil can also help, she said.
Minoxidil 5% foam is one of the most recommended non-prescription options and a good starting point, according to Sethi.
"Talking to your dermatologist prior to starting any of this is crucial to make sure there are no interactions with your other meds," Sethi said.
There are also costs associated with these solutions. Hair transplant surgery to address baldness typically costs between from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on number of grafts needed and involve repeat consultations and adjustments, Sethi said. Hair loss drugs like finasteride or minoxidil are typically not covered by insurance, according to the Mayo Clinic , further adding to ongoing costs of upkeep. Whether you want to reverse hair loss may be a question of if you can afford to keep up the maintenance.
"If you see a dermatologist for hair loss, make sure you tell them all medications and supplements you’re on," Sethi said. "A complete medical and family history can help determine the cause."
Hair loss doesn't have to be a bad thing
And what's more, there's nothing wrong with being bald. In fact, recent trends like "baldmaxxing" − choosing to embrace hair loss rather than endlessly trying to hide or manage it, and there's a whole movement of people behind it. These pro-baldness supporters share the psychological process of balding as much as the physical side, and help one another embrace vulnerability and reframe baldness as a strength.
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Do hats make you go bald? What to know about root causes of hair loss
