Hair Loss Myths: What Really Causes Thinning Hair in Men and Women!
By Dr. Anne Morgan | Thrive Once More, Lee’s Summit & Liberty, Missouri
When hair thinning starts, it’s easy to blame your shampoo, your hairstylist, or how often you wash your hair. Unfortunately, misinformation around hair loss is everywhere, and many women end up doing the wrong things or avoiding helpful habits because of common myths.
➡ Let’s clear things up.
Myth 1: Washing Your Hair Causes Hair Loss
This is one of the most common fears, and one of the most misunderstood.
Washing your hair does not cause hair loss. What you see in the drain are hairs that were already scheduled to shed. Hair follicles sit deep within the scalp, and once a hair enters the shedding phase, it takes 8 to 10 weeks before that strand actually falls out.
The hair you are losing today reflects what was happening in your body two to three months ago, not what you did in the shower this morning.
In fact, regular washing supports scalp health and reduces inflammation, both of which are essential for healthy regrowth.
Myth 2: Styling, Brushing, or Washing Too Often Makes Hair Fall Out
Normal styling, brushing, and washing do not damage the hair follicle. Hair loss begins at the follicle level, not at the surface. While aggressive traction styles can affect hair quality over time, everyday grooming does not cause true hair loss.
If your hair is shedding, it is because of internal factors such as hormones, stress, nutrition, inflammation, or genetics, not your brush.
Myth 3: Coloring Your Hair Causes Hair Loss
Hair coloring can affect hair quality, leading to dryness, breakage, or changes in texture. However, it does not cause hair loss at the follicle level.
When hair loss is present, the root cause is internal. If the follicle is healthy, hair will continue to grow regardless of color treatments. Supporting scalp health, circulation, and internal nutrition is far more important than avoiding highlights.
Myth 4: Women Lose the Ability to Grow Hair Back as They Age
This one is simply false.
Women never lose the ability to grow hair back at any age.
What changes is the environment surrounding the follicle.
With the right support, blood flow, hormone balance, nutrient availability, and inflammation control, hair follicles can re-enter the growth phase. Age does not eliminate the potential for regrowth.
Myth 5: Hair Loss Is Just Genetic, and There’s Nothing You Can Do
While approximately 95 percent of hair loss has a genetic component, that does not mean it is untreatable.
Genetic hair loss is influenced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), blood flow, nutrient delivery, and inflammation. When we:
Decrease excess DHT
Improve scalp circulation
Support protein and nutrient intake
Reduce inflammation
We can slow progression, stabilize shedding, and promote thicker, healthier strands over time.
Genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle, hormones, and nutrition pull the trigger.
The Truth About Hair Loss
Hair loss is not random, and it is not your fault. It is a signal from your body.
What you eat matters. Protein intake matters. Hormones matter. Scalp health matters. When the root of the hair is healthy, the hair shaft has better strength, better pigment, and better longevity.
That’s why at Thrive Once More, we focus on understanding why your hair is changing, not just how to cover it up.
Ready for Real Answers?
If you’re tired of myths, guesswork, and generic advice, we’re here to help.
Schedule your Thrive Wellness Assessment today, and let’s uncover what your hair is trying to tell you and how to support regrowth from the inside out.