Hats are a versatile item. They allow dedicated sports fans to boldly support their teams and provide shade for horticulturists and other outdoor workers. Not only that, but countless paparazzi shots highlight celebrities with their caps pulled down low for anonymity.
But maybe you’ve already heard people say, “you should not wear your hat often; it will make you bald.”. That is why you landed on this article looking for answers, right? We’ll you’re at the right article for just the right time. Let’s talk about hats and hair and their connection. Ready?
Do Hats Cause Hair Loss?
Some men are concerned that wearing hats frequently will alleviate baldness symptoms, citing friends and family members who wear hats frequently and have ended up losing being bald.
But, wearing a hat will not make you bald. In fact, no credible scientific studies suggest that wearing a hat contributes to hair loss. However, wearing very tight hats or hats that are extremely hot — may reduce blood flow to the hair follicles, stressing them and triggering them to fall out. Well, chances of this happening are slim.
Hair loss in men is caused by hormones in the body rather than what you wear on your head. Dihydrotestosterone, which shrinks and weakens the hair follicles on your scalp, causes male pattern baldness. So, no, your hat has nothing to do about hair loss.
How to Avoid Hat Hair
Hat hair can be a stressful and challenging issue, especially on cold winter days when you cannot afford not to wear a hat. And if you have hat hair, you’re faced with two choices. First, is it worth heading hatless on your way to work, braving the cold air, to keep your ‘do? Or second, do you wear the hat all day and suffer the consequences, only to greet colleagues and customers looking like you just woke up?
Fortunately, all it takes to avoid hat hair is a few strategic extra steps. From a few well-placed spritzes of texturizing spray to picking hats made from natural fibers to help keep your ‘do from becoming too frizzy. The first step is prevention, followed by some turnaround. Okay, let’s go through this one.
Moisturizing your hair is essential.
Use a leave-in conditioner to moisturize your hair. Applying moisture to your hair before wearing a hat is essential because it helps fight the hat’s static. You can squeeze a small amount of leave-in conditioner into your hands and apply it to your hair, running your fingers through it.
Put some volumizing mousse on your hair.
You should also apply some volumizing mousse to your hair. Because your hat will most likely flatten your hair, you’ll want to add volume with hair products. Apply a nickel-sized amount of mousse to your hair, focusing on the roots and scrunching it to keep it from lying flat.
Dry your hair ahead of time.
Your hair must be completely dry before you put on a hat. The way your hair dries is how it will stay. Your hat will do cause more damage if the hair dries underneath it. The easiest way to dry it is to use a blow dryer for a minute or two. This will add volume, hold a style, and make the hair more receptive to the item after an hour of hiding under your hat.
Note: If you have thin or fine hair, restyling it after wearing a hat will be more difficult. Fine hair is prone to hat imprints, so this hair type needs to dry before putting on a hat ultimately.
Use the right hair products.
After it has dried, you can apply the product. A water-soluble paste can be used to give the hair a pliable texture that can be mussed and restyled all through the day. It’s important to remember that wax-based and high-shine products are difficult to rework, so you should stick to water-soluble products.
If you want to style your hair after wearing a hat, you should bring a liquid or aerosol texture spray. Different hair types, on the other hand, will require different products. You can try a dry-texturizing spray at your roots for fine-medium textures. After being flattened out by the hat, this will help lift your hair off your scalp for more volume.
You can also try a leave-in hydrating spray for curly and coarse textures. Curls will retain moisture as a result of this treatment.
Choose a hair-friendly hat.
A hat made entirely of cotton or wool is much better for your hair because it produces less static. On the other hand, hats made of synthetic material will have more static and should therefore be avoided.
The best way to avoid hat hair is to wear a hat that doesn’t cling to your head, such as a beret or a floppy style hat. In contrast, beanies and trapper hats are the worst for your hair because they force your hair to lay flat against your head.
Take your hat off when you get inside.
It isn’t just because your parents taught you to do so. When it comes to hat hair depreciation, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Overuse of a tight hat can cause hair loss due to stress and damage to the hair follicles. Allowing your scalp to breathe and stimulating it with a simple massage all through the day is essential.
Restyle hair if necessary.
Consider taking a bathroom break to restyle your hair if you’re in a hurry. You’ll only need a travel-size container of your favorite styling product. Soak your hands and run them through your hair to dampen it slightly. Then style your hair with mousse, gel, or any other styling product you prefer. If you’d like to add more volume to your hair, shake it out. You can also apply some anti-frizz serum or hairspray to tame fly-away strands to complete your look.
The Bottom Line
Although wearing a hat will not cause hair loss, there is no evidence that it is beneficial to your hair in general. Overall, wearing a hat has a mix of benefits and drawbacks. A wide-brimmed hat can help protect your face and neck from the sun, prevent sunburn, and lower your risk of skin cancer. Wearing a hat too often or wearing a hat that isn’t correctly cared for isn’t always a good thing when it comes to your hair and skin health. Also, you may develop traction alopecia if you wear an extremely tight hat regularly.
READ ALSO: What Men’s Hats Go Well with Your Winter Clothes?
