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Debunking Hair Loss Myths

Summary & Participants

Has anyone ever told you that excessive shampooing causes hair loss, or do you think that hair loss only happens after you turn 50? There are a lot of popular myths out there about hair loss, and it's often hard to tell fact from fiction. Join our panelists as they set matters straight.

Medically Reviewed On: June 19, 2008

Webcast Transcript

DAVID FOLK THOMAS:  Welcome to our webcast.  I'm David Folk Thomas.  Has anyone ever told you that excessive shampooing causes hair loss, or do you think that hair loss only happens after you turn 50?  There are a lot of popular myths out there about hair loss, and it's often hard to tell fact from fiction.

Here to set matters straight are two experts.  To my left is Dr. Peter Halperin, he's an assistant professor in the department of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York Hospital. Next to Dr. Halperin is Dr. Marc Avram. He's the same thing, assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York Hospital.

Peter, let me start with you. One, that male hair loss is genetically passed down from the maternal side of the family, and I have some concern because my maternal grandfather didn't have that much hair at the end, so should I worry?

PETER HALPERIN, MD:  Hair loss is certainly genetic, David, no question about it, but not necessarily only through the mother's side.  It comes from both sides.  That's clearly established.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS:  Where did this maternal side come from?  Has it been more likely that people whose maternal family side were losing their hair or bald, that that was passed down, or somebody created that somewhere?

PETER HALPERIN, MD:  They just tried to blame one side of the family versus the other is all I could tell.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS:  So I don't necessarily have to worry.  Okay.

PETER HALPERIN, MD:  That's right.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS: Female hair loss is genetically passed down from the male parent.

MARC AVRAM, MD:  It's an equal myth hair loss is obviously, as Peter is saying, from both sides of the family.  We still don't know exactly what gene causes it.  We think it's probably several genes, and it's a combination from both sides of the family that creates each individual's unique hair loss pattern, so it's not either the mother or the father, but a combination of generations together making up each person's hair loss pattern.

DAVID FOLK THOMAS:  Marc, sticking with you, what about hair colorings, hair spray or excessive washing leading to hair loss?

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