Will long hair cause hair loss?

There’s no denying that hair is important to many people. Whether it’s long, short, curly or straight, our locks are an extension of ourselves and can help us feel confident and beautiful (or handsome, if you’re into that kind of thing). But there’s a question on everyone’s minds: Will long hair cause hair loss?

In this article, we’ll debunk some common myths about tresses and take an honest look at what factors actually contribute to baldness. So sit back (but don’t let your chair pull out too much of your precious strands) and let’s dive in.

The Bald Truth

First things first – let’s talk about the causes of hair loss. There are a number of reasons why someone might experience shedding (nope, not talking about golden retrievers) including: genetics (thanks mom/dad), age (oh joy), stress (cue screaming)

Let Your Freak Flag Fly…Err..Hair Grow?

Nowadays,long hairstyles for both men and women have become increasingly popular, with celebrities like Jason Momoa (drool), Harry Styles (swoon) or Lizzo (yass queen) rocking their lengthy locks with confidence.

But some people still wonder if having longer hair could potentially lead to losing more strands than shorter styles.

Myth Busting Time

It’s time to dismantle those rumors once and for all…

MYTH #1 | Longer Hair Causes Weaker Follicles

Contrary to popular belief,there is no actual evidence proving that lengths affect your follicles .¯\_(ツ)_/¯

In fact,”Your individual keratin fibers may respond dynamically” says Dr.Frank Lin ,hair specialist from Atlanta.He further adds,long= healthy looking fibres sometimes.

MYTH #2 | Longer Hair Equals Increased Scalp Oils

Oil levels in your hair isn’t just determined by length (if only it were that easy)!

It’s true – oil production does increase with longer hair, but this is typically because those with shorter styles tend to have their oils washed away more frequently during shampoos.

MYTH #3 | Tight Hairstyles Cause Baldness

This one may have some truth to it. According Dr. Shanley Dove,it really depends on the frequency and duration of how much weight and tension a hairdo creates. For example, if you braid your hair every day or use accessories that pull on certain areas… you run the risk of getting what’s called “traction alopecia.”

In short,braids ,weaves & other tight hairstyles for extended periods can lead to scalp irritation, inflammation,and ultimately balding.

The Nitty-Gritty

Phew! Now that we’ve got those myths out of the way, let’s talk about what actually happens when you grow out your locks…

• On average, our hairs grow about ½ inch each month.
• Most people can expect an average shedding rate between 50-100 hairs per day (Yup…a lot!)
• Your genetic makeup plays a role in determining whether or not you’ll experience thinning/balding over time.

The Long and Short Of It

So there we have it folks! Longer strands themselves aren’t necessarily putting us at any greater risk of losing our precious locks than having shorter hairstyles,and now we know how myth-busting feels like (grin).

Do whatever feels best for YOU (beauty is subjective anyways)– be it classic pixie cuts,a bold mohawk,half up/half down do’s,sporty buzz cuts,lovely beach waves …but always remember:confidence is key.