While many old wives' tales rarely hold any truth, the age-old saying that wearing a tight hat for an extended period of time can make you go bald may in fact have some validity. Understanding how and why this might happen may very well prevent you from suffering the consequences of this time-honored belief.
Genetics
Male pattern baldness affects an estimated 35 million men in the United States, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Scientists have been studying the genetics behind hair loss for years, and they now believe that the "AR" gene is the culprit behind baldness. There may be several other genetic and outside factors involved, but scientists still don't quite know why or when male pattern baldness sets in.
Misconceptions
One thing is for certain, wearing a tight hat will not alter your genetic makeup. Thus, hats will not directly affect whether you will begin to permanently lose your hair at age 21 or 51. What hats can do however is provide an inhospitable environment for your scalp, which is the proverbial and literal root of the hair on your head. If you wear a tight hat regularly, your scalp can sweat more than usual. This can lead to bacteria buildup, and if not treated promptly, can cause hair damage and, ultimately, hair loss.
Considerations
No hat is completely airtight, and there are in fact many hats available on the market that have a sheer, breathable rear material that allows fresh air to reach your hair and scalp, regardless of how tight you were the hat. Tight hats are still not a good idea, however. A tight hat can stretch the scalp taut, which can damage the scalp, which in turn will affect hair health.
Prevention
One way to lessen your chances of losing hair is to stop wearing a hat entirely. If that's not an option however, there are vitamins you can take and methods you can use to keep your hair happy and healthy. Beta-carotene and vitamin B6 are the two most influential vitamins in keeping your hair growing regularly and strong, according to renowned vitamin and hair expert Dr. George Obikoya. To care for you scalp, give yourself a 10- to 15-minute daily scalp massage. The massaging action will increase blood flow to the hair follicles underneath your skin, allowing essential nutrients to flow easier to the roots of your hair.
Verdict
While wearing a tight hat may not cause you to go bald for the rest of your life, it can certainly have harmful effects on your hair and scalp in the immediate future. Special care needs to be taken of your hair if you wear a hat regularly. Take frequent breaks to remove your hat to allow your hair and scalp time to breathe freely, and wash your hair regularly to remove any built-up sweat and grime.
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