Does wearing a baseball cap speed up hair loss?

Let’s clear the air. No, wearing a hat does not cause hair loss.

Pattern hair loss is caused by genetics and DHT, not wearing a hat everyday.

Your genetics are what influence your body's sensitivity to the hormone DHT. Wearing or not wearing a hat doesn't affect DHT and, therefore, does not affect hair loss.

Wearing a hat can make it seem like your hair is thinning (especially if you already have thin hair). A hat can push your hair down, making it look messy and potentially thinner.

You may also find hair in your hat. Finding a hair or two in your hat doesn't mean it’s the hat causing hair loss.

It’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day

It’s perfectly normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day, and of course, more, if you’re losing your hair.

With that being said, wearing a hat isn't necessarily healthy for your hair. Sweat that gathers in the hat can potentially irritate your scalp.

And in some cases, wearing your hat excessively tight can cause traction alopecia, which essentially means you're pulling hair off your scalp.

So if it's not your hat, what is DHT?

It’s an important male sex hormone that makes men look like men. DHT is actually more potent than testosterone and is responsible for a range of masculine features such as body hair and a deepening of the voice, occurring during puberty.

How does DHT affect hair loss?

DHT actually binds to the receptors in your hair follicles causing them to shrink, weaken and eventually die. This process is called miniaturization and it results in hair thinning and eventually falling out.  

How to reduce DHT production?

There are many options out there to help you combat hair loss ranging from medications such as finasteride, minoxidil, laser therapy, and dietary changes. Most treatments aim to stop the process of creating DHT in the first place.

Finasteride, DHT blocking shampoos, and saw palmetto all work this way, with varying degrees of success based primarily on how significantly they lower DHT.

There is also laser therapy, which can be used in conjunction with other treatments. Laser therapy stimulates follicle growth by reducing DHT and increasing blood flow and cell metabolism. It’s been clinically proven to be a safe and effective hair loss treatment with no known side effects.

There are solutions out there that will help you meet your hair growth goals, and all you need to do is start taking action today!

The bottom line is that wearing a hat will not speed up genetic hair loss.

Just be sure not to wear your hat too tight.