Long Hair Causes Hair Loss

Woman with long hair and hair loss
Photo: Dreamstime
Q: My hair is to my waist. It has become about 40% thinner than it was when I was young. My sister says long hair causes hair loss. Is this true? Do I have to cut it to stop losing it? Thank you and kindest regards.
 
A: Let me reassure you that having long hair does not directly cause hair loss. This is a common misconception that your sister may have heard, but it's not supported by scientific evidence.
 
What you're experiencing is likely related to normal aging processes rather than your hair length itself. Hair naturally becomes finer and less dense as we age due to several biological factors. When you mention your hair has become about 40% thinner than when you were younger, this is something many people experience regardless of the length of their hair.
 
Long hair can sometimes create an illusion of thinning because the weight of lengthy strands can pull at the roots, making the hair appear flatter against the scalp. This visual effect might be what prompted your sister's concern, but it's not actual hair loss.
 
That said, long hair does face unique challenges. Since hair grows approximately a half-inch or 1.25 cm per month, hair that reaches your waist is likely 3-5 years old at the ends. Think about that. The ends of your hair have been exposed to environmental stressors, washing, styling, and mechanical stress for several years! This extended exposure time can lead to increased breakage and damage, especially in the oldest portions of your hair shafts.
 
From a biological perspective, it's worth understanding that your hair follicles were fully formed before you were even born. Around the 22nd week of fetal development, you developed millions of hair follicles, with about 100,000 of those on your head. This number doesn't increase as you age. In fact, the density appears to decrease simply because your scalp expands as you grow, spreading those same follicles over a larger area.
 
As we age, several other factors affect our hair:
 
• Hair growth cycles shorten, resulting in finer hair
 
• Hormonal changes (especially for women during menopause) can cause thinning
 
• Follicles may produce less melanin, resulting in gray or white hair
 
• Some follicles may become dormant or produce increasingly finer hair
 
Infographic - Hair loss myths and facts
 
There's no need to cut your hair to prevent hair loss unless you're experiencing significant breakage. However, trimming regularly (every 8-12 weeks) to remove damaged ends can help maintain overall hair health and prevent split ends from traveling up the shaft.
 
If you're concerned about the thinning, consider consulting with a dermatologist who specializes in hair. They can determine whether you're experiencing normal age-related changes or if there might be underlying issues like nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or specific conditions like female pattern hair loss. They can recommend appropriate treatments.
 
In the meantime, be gentle with your beautiful long hair. Use wide-toothed combs, avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the roots, minimize heat styling, and consider protective styles when sleeping. Many people with long hair find that loosely braiding their hair before bed reduces nighttime breakage and tangling.
 
While genetics largely determine our hair's destiny, proper care can maximize the health of what we have. Your long hair isn't causing you to lose it, but treating it with extra care can help maintain its fullness and vitality for years to come.
 
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See also:
 
Hair problems
 
How can I tell if the short hair I see is new growing hair or broken hair?