Many people use headphones on a daily basis. But do headphones cause hair loss?
Actually, there’s no study that says that over-ear headphones definitely cause hair loss in women or men.
When headphones are a big part of your life, we’ll explain whether they harm your hair and offer some advice on how to prevent them from doing so.
Do Headphones Cause Hair Loss?
No concrete scientific research has been done on the link between wearing headphones and experiencing hair loss.
A quick internet search on the topic, however, reveals a wealth of anecdotal evidence from people who believe this has happened to them.
When the hair is pulled firmly for extended periods of time, it can be uprooted, leading to traction alopecia, a rare type of hair loss. This could cause the hair to either stop growing altogether or grow back more slowly than usual.
However, it seems unlikely that using headphones would result in traction alopecia. The headphones would have to be so tight for this to work, causing pain from the wearer pulling their hair out.
The majority of people would either choose a different pair of headphones that fit more comfortably or change the headband size to alleviate the discomfort. It is possible that the hair would gradually fall out if a pair of extremely tight headphones were worn for several hours every day.
Instead of people who wear too-tight headphones or hats, traction alopecia is more common in people who braid their hair too tightly. Since braids are frequently worn for extended periods of time, the wearer may eventually become oblivious to the pain.
Wearing headphones that are too tight will be instantly noticeable, and when they are removed, you’ll experience some tension where they have pulled against the hair. This should prompt you to either stop wearing them or loosen the headband.
Therefore, it’s always a good idea to try a few pairs of headphones to see which one fits the most comfortably or to check the headband’s maximum extension before purchasing.
You Might Also Like:
- Do Statins Cause Hair Loss?
- Does Vaping Cause Hair Loss?
- Does Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?
- Does Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
- Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
- Can Aloe Vera Cause Hair Loss?
- Does Hard Water Cause Hair Loss?
- Does Head and Shoulders Cause Hair Loss?
Other Problems That Headphones Can Cause
Although it’s doubtful that wearing headphones will result in hair loss, they can cause some common issues. The most common one is hearing loss brought on by prolonged listening to audio at high volumes through headphones.
Other problems, like soreness and headaches, can result from wearing headphones that are the wrong size for your head. This is due to the discomfort they cause by applying pressure to your head and ears.
Selecting headphones that can be altered to fit the size and shape of your head is crucial. Each person has a slightly different head shape, so it is important to position the headphones as comfortably as possible.
If you suspect that your headphones are causing you issues, such as pain, discomfort, or hair loss, switching to in-ear alternatives might be a good idea. You can avoid having a headband cross the top of your head this way.
How to Treat Hair Loss Caused by Headphones?
If traction alopecia occurs — caused by your headphones or otherwise — you should schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss treatment options.
You may be prescribed topical or injectable corticosteroids, antibiotics, or antifungal shampoo if the tugging on your hair causes inflammation or irritation.
To address regrowth, you could try a hair health supplement (like biotin).
If the hair loss is bad, your healthcare provider will likely suggest FDA-approved hair loss treatments like minoxidil. This topical medication is believed to increase blood flow to your scalp, encouraging hair follicles to move into their active growth stage.
The most important thing is to recognize traction alopecia as soon as it starts. It may result in permanent hair loss that cannot be treated with medication.
This is so that new hair cannot grow as a result of the constant pulling, which can lead to the formation of scar tissue.
Conclusion: Do Headphones Cause Hair Loss
So do headphones cause hair loss? The short answer is no, headphones don’t cause hair loss (not directly).
To conditions that cause balding or hair thinning, though, they can also be a factor.
There are a few steps you can take to help relieve pressure and friction on the area if you notice hair changes around the band of your headphones.
FAQs
How Long Should You Wear Headphones for Each Day?
Using headphones is advised to be limited to two hours per day at low volume or one hour per day at medium volume. Your ears will be safeguarded by doing this.
Do Headphones Cause Dandruff?
If they produce an environment that is warm and moist around the scalp, headphones may be a factor in dandruff.
Do Headphones Cause Head Dents?
You can rest easy knowing that using headphones does not cause a dent in your skull.
