If you've been looking for information on the causes of hair loss, you may have come across articles, videos and blog posts claiming that hats cause hair loss. The belief that wearing a hat promotes hair loss is largely unsupported by science, though. However, it is a persistent myth.

Because a hat can mess up your hair, it may make some indicators of hair loss more noticeable. Excessive hair shedding, for example, is one of the most prevalent early indications of hair loss. While it's normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs every day, people who are experiencing hair loss may shed substantially more. If you're experiencing hair loss (from other causes than wearing a hat), there's a strong possibility you'll find stray hairs inside your hat when you remove it. This may cause you to believe that your hat is causing the hair fall, but it is simply a coincidence. If stray hairs don't collect inside your hat, you’ll see them on your pillowcase or in your shower drain.

Another reason why many people believe that wearing hats cause hair loss is the fact that hats can make your hair look flat and unkempt, especially if you wear them for an extended period of time. Issues such as a receding hairline or baldness around the crown (the top of your head) can become more prominent when your hair is unkempt, making your hair problems more noticeable.

Does Wearing Hats Cause Hair Loss? - Separating Myth from Fact

Overall, wearing hats has a mix of benefits and drawbacks. A wide-brimmed hat can help protect your face and neck from the sun, preventing sunburns and lowering your risk of skin cancer. However, wearing a hat too often — or wearing a hat that isn't properly cared for — isn't necessarily a good thing when it comes to your hair and skin health. 

When you wear a hat in hot weather or while exercising, sweat can accumulate inside it over time, irritating your scalp. Sweat can also clog pores and cause scalp acne breakouts. To avoid these problems, wash your hats and headbands on a regular basis.

Also, while there is no proof that wearing a hat that is too tight prevents blood flow to your hair follicles, leading to hair loss, it can irritate your skin, so you better avoid wearing tight hats. 

It is also advisable to avoid pulling the hair back severely - in a very tight ponytail or braids – when wearing a hat, as this pulls on the hair follicles and, in extreme cases, can cause tension hair loss. 

How to Strengthen Your Hair - Tips from Hair Care Experts

To prevent tension hair loss and keep your scalp clean and bacteria & fungus free, which will allow you to wear hats without the side effects, you should care for your hair with the proper products. Having strong follicles and hair that isn’t brittle and prone to damage can make a world of difference. 

Here are some products that I use to keep my hair and scalp healthy and which I can recommend to anyone, regardless of their hair type: 

Wow Skin Science Castor Oil 

Castor oil is often used to help treat dry, damaged hair. When regularly applied, castor oil helps lubricate the hair shaft, boosting elasticity and reducing the risk of breakage.

You may also benefit from using castor oil if you have dandruff, a common scalp ailment characterized by dry, flaky scalp, as it can help reduce irritation and itch and minimize flaking.  

WOW Skin Science Castor Oil is 100% pure, undiluted, cold pressed and free of harsh chemicals such as hexane, which ensures the highest quality oil. It is naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and vital fatty acids such as rinoleic acid and omega 6. Castor oil has long been used to boost hair growth and improve the texture of hair. 

You can use this oil on its own or in combination with other cold-pressed vegetable oils, if you find it to be a little too thick for your liking. 

WOW Skin Science Onion Black Seed Oil

WOW Skin Science's onion hair oil stimulates the scalp and improves blood circulation, promoting healthy hair growth and strengthening the follicles. It nourishes your hair and aids in relieving the symptoms of several hair and scalp issues. It is a nutrients-rich blend of oils that helps to improve the texture and health of dull, lifeless, weak hair.

Sweet almond oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, Moroccan argan oil, coconut oil, and onion black seed oil are the seven cold-pressed oils that make up this blend. They help seal the cuticle and lock in moisture in the hair shaft, restoring the hair’s natural shine and preventing frizz and breakages. 

As previously mentioned, all hair types can benefit from using this oil and its light, non-sticky formula makes it suited for regular use.

WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

This shampoo gently detoxifies the hair and scalp by efficiently dissolving and removing buildup created by excess sebum, dust, pollutants, dead scalp cells, and styling products. This sulfate and parabens free shampoo contains 100% pure, unfiltered, and unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, but also Sweet Almond Oil, and Argan Oil. 

So there you have it! As long as you take proper care of your hair and you make sure that your hats are always clean and not too tight, you can continue to have fun with the funkiest of hats!