A hair loss expert has busted the myth on whether wearing a hat can lead to shedding.
While it is normal to lose a certain amount of hair every day, excessive hair loss can be upsetting as well as a sign of an underlying health issue.
Certain vitamin deficiencies, illnesses and stress can all contribute to shedding. It can also be hereditary and associated with ageing.
However, one expert warned that certain habits can have an impact on the health and strength of your hair.
Gaia Tonanzi, founder of curly hair specialists Tooti, spoke with Express.co.uk to explain more.
Although she said that wearing hats does not cause hair loss she warned that an ill-fitting hat could lead to shedding.
“Wearing hats does not cause hair loss,” she said.
“Unless the hat is several sizes too small for your head, and you wear it all day every day.”
Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor also warns against wearing hats too tightly for this reason.
It says: “If a hat is worn too tightly and puts excessive tension on the hair follicles, it could lead to a condition called traction alopecia.
“This type of hair loss is caused by constant pulling on the hair and is more commonly associated with hairstyles like tight braids or ponytails, but wearing a tight hat or helmet for extended periods could also contribute.”
Not washing your hat could also be bad for your hair.
“Wearing a hat for long periods without washing it regularly might cause sweat, bacteria and dandruff to build up on the scalp,” Lloyds Pharmacy says.
“This, in turn, could lead to scalp issues that may impact hair health.”
What does research say?
One study, published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal in 2013, examined hair loss in identical male twins.
It found that wearing a hat every day was actually associated with decreased hair loss at the front of the head.
Factors that were linked to increased hair loss were stress and drinking alcohol.
Smoking cigarettes were found to “significantly” increase the risk of hair loss.
What to do if you are concerned about hair loss
Gaia added: “Hair loss is a clinical condition where the follicles stop producing new hairs, so once the existing ones naturally fall, no new ones will replace them.
“If you are experiencing this, you should talk to a professional doctor to understand its causes and the treatments that might be available for you. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix.”