Image by hyrckowian
In an attempt to part the bald truth of healthy hair from follicle fiction, we’ve investigated the myths surrounding the dreaded male pattern baldness to expose the truth behind the urban legends.
So, is it a case of hair today, gone tomorrow for these 11 hair-loss myths? Let’s find out.
Myth 1 - Smoking stunts your hair growth
Image by cgandolfo
True or False?
True.
There is no question that smoking is bad for you, so it comes as no surprise that smoking does indeed destroy hair follicles, interferes with blood and hormone circulation in the scalp and increases production of hair-shrinking oestrogen. On top of that, smokers are four times more likely to have grey hair than non-smokers.
Myth #2 - Standing on your head makes your hair grow
Image by depressiverealism
True or False?
False.
Alternative health practitioners advised headstands to increase bloodflow and combat baldness back in the 80’s but there is actually no proof whatsoever that a rush of blood to the head will restore your glorious locks. Unless, of course, you’ve dropped your toupee on the floor.
Myth #3 - There is no cure for baldness
Image by mattybusiness
True or False?
False.
“Take lime seeds and black pepper, grind them together into a fine paste and….” The same internet marketing scammers that claim to have the cure for a hangover are touting potions, pills and scalp-weaves to bald men the world over. There is hope, however, as around 80% of men using the new drug finasteride retained more hair than those taking placebos, and two thirds of the men in the trial actually re-grew hair.
Myth #4 - Baldness is a sign of intelligence
Image by gr33ndata
True or False?
True.
Apparently, the higher your levels of brain growth protein, the more susceptible your hair is from removing itself from your head. The research in Berlin is the first evidence that suggests growth factors for the development of brain cells are also important for the growth of hair follicles.
Myth #5 - Pull out a grey hair and two come back
Image by chicanerii
True or False?
True. Kind of.
Pulling a hair out can rupture the follicle. The replacement hair that grows back takes longer to regenerate, by which time another grey hair is beginning to grow next to it. It’s not the end of the world though, Gandalf. Chicks dig the distinguished gentleman look anyway.
Myth #6 - Cutting makes your hair grow back thicker
Image by TIO…
True or False?
False.
All hair above skin level is actually dead and cutting it has absolutely no affect on the volume of regrowth. Pre-pubescent boys have struggled with this concept for years when trying to get a handlebar ‘tache going and, although short bristly hair may create the impression that it grows back thicker, the reality is that there is no more hair growing back than you had in the first place.
Myth #7 - Eating bread crusts puts hairs on your chest
Image by jenandjohn
True or False?
True.
Once again, German scientists (do they have a baldness problem over there?) found that bread crusts have eight times more antioxidants than the rest of the loaf. Research shows that antioxidant intake is crucial to improving scalp circulation and creating melanin - the hormone that makes your hair thicker and richer.
Myth #8 - Baldness comes from your mothers side
Image by brian_houlihan2002
True or False?
False.
That old adage, “If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother” doesn’t ring true in this instance. Genetics do play a major part in male pattern baldness, but the gene can come from either parent. So next time you look at your father and see Britney Spears in bald-breakdown mode, don’t forget to look at your mother; she might be looking like Demi Moore in G:I Jane.
Myth #9 - Baldness is a sign of other health problems
Image by pedrosimoes7
True or False?
True.
A Harvard study found that men with frontal baldness had a 9% increased risk of heart disease. Worse still, those with a shiny crown had a 36% greater risk compared to men with a full head of hair. Research shows that a build-up of fatty deposits from eating too much fat and salt could be the cause.
Myth #10 - Stress causes dandruff
Image by Simon-Pais-Thomas
True or False?
True.
If your shoulders are starting to look like the Alps, you might be working too hard. The fungus that causes dandruff is present on all scalps but dandruff becomes a problem when your immune system is weakened. Since stress is a key reason for low immune function, it stands to reason that stress is making your head snow.
Myth #11 - Bald men are more virile
Image by mkmabus
True or False?
False.
We’re not sure where this myth came from (perhaps a bald man made it up) but it just isn’t true. Despite what bald people tell everyone it isn’t because their bodies are spilling over with testosterone! The amount of testosterone has no impact, so next time you see a bald men telling anyone who will listen that he’s ‘too manly for hair‘ you can put him straight on the matter.
If you’ve heard a ridiculously ludicrous hair loss myth, leave it in the comments. Also, if you’ve got any photos of bald people doing the funniest things, drop us a link to them too. Laughter might not make our hair grow back, but at least there is always someone worse off than us!
If you enjoyed this article, please vote for it on reddit, share it on StumbleUpon, Mixx it or bookmark it on del.icio.us. Thanks for your support!
Similar articles you might like:
Was this manly enough for you? Just A Guy Thing publishes weekly articles on fashion, fitness, survival, health, dating, movies and music for the modern man. Join now by subscribing via RSS or, alternatively, you can subscribe by e-mail.
For more information on feeds and ways to subscribe, click here.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
April 25th, 2008 at 2:00 pm