Does long hair cause more hair loss?

MHR Clinic Manchester’s consultant Ethan Denton is often asked, “Does long hair cause more hair loss?” He addresses the different concerns about the relation between longer hair and hair loss, with in-depth answers to follow.

The importance of hair as an extension of personality is in little dispute. Long or short, the way a person wears their hair has always been a statement of identity.

But those who choose to wear their hair long often ask our consultants, “Does long hair cause more hair loss?” 

Many have noticed hair caught in their brush, or in the plughole of their bath or shower. Some see long hairs on their clothes more frequently than they did when their hair was shorter. 

It can lead clients to ask other questions like, “Does running your hands through your hair cause hair loss?”

So, to ask, “Does having longer hair make you go bald?” is a perfectly reasonable question for those who prefer to keep their hair long.

It’s easily noticed the significance in concern over our appearance is on the rise, from hair loss to receding hairlines. The array of issues our consultants often hear about is continually growing. Our team at MHR Clinic have the answers you need regarding longer hair causing hair loss, including symptoms and solutions to this concern.

The answers to all these questions are a little more complex than may be imagined, and they lie in the distinction between balding and hair loss. 

It’s natural to feel alarmed when you see strands of hair clinging to your brush or swirling down the drain. But before you panic, it’s important to understand the difference between normal hair shedding and actual hair loss. We all lose hair every day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. On average, we shed around 50 to 100 hairs daily. This shedding is simply a sign that old hairs are making way for new ones.

When you have longer hair, those shed hairs naturally appear more noticeable. A long strand clinging to your clothes or caught in your brush seems more dramatic than a short one. This can create the illusion of increased hair loss, even if you’re shedding within the normal range. Similarly, running your hands through your hair might gather a few loose strands, but it’s unlikely to cause significant hair loss unless you’re pulling or tugging aggressively.

So, does having longer hair make you go bald? The simple answer is no. Hair length doesn’t directly influence the hair growth cycle or cause baldness. Baldness, or alopecia, is typically caused by genetic factors, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or certain medications. These factors affect the hair follicles themselves, leading to miniaturization of the follicles and ultimately hair loss.

However, while long hair itself doesn’t cause baldness, certain hairstyles that pull tightly on the hair, such as tight ponytails or braids, can contribute to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. This occurs when constant tension on the hair follicles damages them over time. If you frequently wear tight hairstyles, it’s important to give your hair a break and opt for looser styles to prevent this type of hair loss.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, regardless of your hair length, it’s always best to consult a hair loss specialist or dermatologist. They can assess your scalp, identify any underlying causes, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Does having long hair make you go bald?

Those people who have long hair and wonder, “Does having long hair make you bald?” will be pleased to know that simply, long hair does not cause balding. 

Balding, also known as androgenetic and pattern hair loss, is a hereditary condition. Pattern hair loss is biological. Genetic processes trigger the hair follicle to become smaller, and produce finer, fewer and eventually no hairs over time. The process finishes with hair follicles dying completely.

It goes on beneath the scalp. Hair above the scalp is dead protein and what happens to it has no effect on balding. Whether hair is long or short, it does not influence the biochemical processes going on inside the scalp.

People who are prone to androgenetic hair loss will lose hair in the same timeframe whether their hair is kept short or long.

Longer hair may appear to produce more hair loss because there is more hair to see. A person with long hair is likely to notice strands of fallen hair that weren’t easily seen when it was shorter.

Also, the longer the hair grows, the more apparent hair loss becomes as you may notice significantly higher amounts of hair when brushing, showering or through your day to day activities.

Our own clinic partner Ryan Giggs recalls cutting his hair shorter to hide hair loss during his years as a top football player

But while he was able to disguise his hair loss better with shorter hair, making that change to the length of his hair did not slow or stop the balding process in any way. 

Just as he did, it is best to tackle hair loss with proven hair restoration methods such as medication, FUE surgery and low level laser therapy.

Does long hair cause more hair loss?

Those people who have long hair and wonder, “Does having longer hair cause more hair loss?” ask a very reasonable question, because having long hair can contribute to hair loss indirectly.

There are behaviours attached to having long hair which promote hair loss. When hair is pulled too tight in braids, tied in man-buns, weighed down by extensions, fastened in hair clips and kept taut in other hairstyles, some hair will be pulled free from the follicle.

The technical term for this problem is traction alopecia. Reversing traction alopecia is possible if it is detected early and the tension on follicles is eased. Treatments to stimulate new hair growth are often also needed.

Therefore, in most cases of traction alopecia hair loss is not permanent and it can be reversed. It is certainly not androgenetic hair loss, also known as pattern balding, which is only reversible by hair restoration treatments such as FUE procedures and medical hair restoration programmes.

In most cases, hair grows back and, therefore, traction alopecia is not considered a form of balding. It is considered a form of hair loss.

Additionally, how hair is worn, washed and styled can contribute to hair loss. Excessive heat and chemical treatments can beat follicles into submission to an extent hair growth slows and in extreme cases stops altogether. 

Blow-drying, straightening, colouring and other treatments all take their toll. Hair products can dry out hair shafts, leading to breakage. Others create a toxic environment for hair roots and follicles, leading to whole hairs being lost.

We have a range of industry-leading hair products to help you achieve your desired styles without the need for concern over hair loss.

If you’re battling hair loss and would like to talk to an expert about restoring a full head of hair, talk to MHR Clinic today on 01565 745 344 or reach out to us with contact through this website.