Can Hair Loss Be Caused By Sleeping on One Side?

It is natural to wonder if sleep can cause hair loss, since many people have a preferred side to sleep on and can worry if their hair rubbing on their pillow all night can cause hair loss. Some people worry that they may be reducing the blood circulation on that side, which could potentially deprive that side of their head from blood flow and essential nutrients.

Sleep causing hair loss is a valid concern, and many people notice that this can happen to a newborn. Newborns have extremely fine hair that falls out and get rubbed off at first, especially on areas where their heads are lying for long periods of time. However, adult hair is very different from a baby’s hair and does not experience the same issues.

Your hair follicles are pre-programmed and they will grow and shed in a certain manner. The way in which you choose to sleep does not have an impact on hair loss, whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach. Hair follicles are not affected by the direction in which you sleep, so there is no reason to worry about damaging your hair and causing premature hair loss. Although there are many factors that cause hair loss, sleeping is simply not one of them.

Genetics is the main cause of hair loss and other causes include:

• Environmental factors
• Hormonal changes
• Illness
• Side effects to medication
• Stress/anxiety

It is a common misconception that hair loss caused by heredity comes from the maternal grandfather. This is not true and in fact, hair loss can be passed down from either side of the family and can affect both men and women. However, simply because someone in the family is bald does not necessarily mean that the trait will get passed down

Male pattern baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia) affects many men. This type of baldness results from a combination of age, genes and hormones.   Some men have hair follicles that are much more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone related to hair loss. As you get older, hair that is sensitive to DHT will become thinner and weaker and will ultimately stop growing. Hair affected by this is usually on the top of the head and on the front of the head.

Since we live in a society that is very conscious of appearance, hair loss sufferers will usually try to do something to improve or enhance their appearance. There are different treatment options available, depending on what is causing your hair loss and what degree of hair loss you are experiencing.

If you are experiencing some thinning hair or balding and would like to determine what is causing it, you can contact the experienced hair loss physician, Dr. Yates. He will be able to determine what is causing your hair loss and can let you know what your options are for treatment.