7 Hair Loss Myths Malaysians Still Believe (And the Truth)

After 20 years of treating patients in Kota Kinabalu, I’ve heard every hair loss myth imaginable. Some are harmless. Others are actively preventing people from getting the help they need — because they believe something that simply isn’t true.

Here are the seven most persistent hair loss myths I encounter in Malaysia, and what the evidence actually says.

Myth 1: “Wearing Hats and Helmets Causes Hair Loss”

This is one of the most common myths I hear from motorcycle riders in KK. The logic seems to make sense — hats and helmets trap heat and sweat, so they must damage hair follicles, right?

The truth: Hats and helmets do not cause hair loss. Hair follicles receive their blood supply and nutrients from inside the body, not from the surface. A hat can’t cut off the blood supply to your follicles. What hats can do is make your scalp sweaty, which may contribute to bacterial or fungal issues if you’re not washing regularly — but that’s a hygiene issue, not a hair loss cause.

If you’re noticing thinning and you regularly wear hats, the hat isn’t the cause. Something else is — and a proper diagnosis will find it.

Myth 2: “Shaving Your Head Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker”

This is deeply embedded in Malaysian culture. Many parents shave their baby’s head in the belief that it will grow back thicker and healthier. Some adults do the same, hoping for fuller regrowth.

The truth: Shaving has absolutely no effect on hair thickness, density, or rate of growth. When hair is shaved, it grows back with a blunt tip instead of a natural tapered tip — which feels coarser but isn’t actually thicker. The follicle size, which determines real hair thickness, is determined by genetics and hormones — not by cutting.

If your hair is thinning, shaving it won’t solve the problem. The same thin follicles will produce the same thin hair.

Myth 3: “Only Old People Lose Hair”

Many of our younger clients at MU Scalp — people in their 20s and 30s — delayed seeking help because they assumed they were “too young” for hair loss.

The truth: Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) can begin as early as the late teens. Telogen effluvium (stress-related shedding) can happen at any age. Alopecia areata can affect children. Postpartum hair loss affects young mothers.

Age is a factor in the prevalence of hair loss — it becomes more common as you get older — but it’s not a prerequisite. If you’re losing hair at 25, that’s a real medical concern that deserves real attention.

Myth 4: “Hair Loss Only Comes From Your Mother’s Side”

You’ll often hear people say “check your maternal grandfather — that’s where baldness comes from.” While the AR gene (androgen receptor gene) is indeed on the X chromosome, which you inherit from your mother, this is a massive oversimplification.

The truth: Hair loss is polygenic — meaning it’s influenced by multiple genes from both parents. Your father’s hair pattern matters just as much as your mother’s family. Studies have identified over 200 genetic variants associated with hair loss, spread across multiple chromosomes.

Blaming one side of the family gives an incomplete picture. If either parent’s family has a history of thinning, you may be at higher risk.

Myth 5: “Using Too Much Shampoo Causes Hair Loss”

Some patients tell us they’ve reduced shampooing to once or twice a week — or switched to “no-poo” methods — because they believe shampoo causes hair to fall out.

The truth: The hair you see falling out during shampooing was already in the shedding phase (telogen). Shampooing dislodges these naturally loose hairs, but it doesn’t cause them to fall out. If you stop shampooing, the same hairs will eventually fall out on their own — you’ll just notice them on your pillow instead.

In Sabah’s tropical climate, regular shampooing is actually important for scalp health. Skipping washes allows oil, sweat, and product buildup to accumulate — which can clog follicles and create an unhealthy scalp environment.

The key is using the right shampoo for your scalp condition, not avoiding shampoo altogether.

Myth 6: “Herbal Remedies and Traditional Treatments Can Regrow Hair”

Malaysia has a rich tradition of herbal remedies — and many claim to treat hair loss. From tongkat ali supplements to coconut oil scalp massages to herbal tonics, we’ve heard patients try everything before coming to our centre.

The truth: While some natural ingredients have mild anti-inflammatory or moisturizing properties (coconut oil, for example, can condition hair), there is no scientific evidence that herbal remedies can reverse pattern hair loss or treat conditions like alopecia areata.

The danger isn’t that these remedies are harmful (most aren’t). It’s that they give people false hope, causing them to delay seeking proper treatment during the window when treatment is most effective. By the time they come to us after months or years of herbal treatments, more follicles have miniaturized and the results we can achieve are more limited.

We’re not against natural approaches — but they should complement medical treatment, not replace it.

Myth 7: “If Hair Loss Runs in My Family, There’s Nothing I Can Do”

This is perhaps the most damaging myth of all, because it leads to resignation. People assume that genetic hair loss is inevitable and untreatable, so they don’t seek help.

The truth: While you can’t change your genetics, you can absolutely influence how they express themselves. Early treatment of androgenetic alopecia can significantly slow progression and in many cases stimulate regrowth. The key word is early — the sooner treatment begins, the more effective it is.

Genetic predisposition means you’re more likely to experience hair loss — it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. Modern medically-guided treatments can make a meaningful difference.

The Biggest Myth of All

If there’s one overarching myth I’d like to debunk, it’s this: “I should wait and see if it gets better on its own.”

Hair loss almost never resolves without understanding and addressing the underlying cause. Waiting is the single worst strategy — because the longer you wait, the fewer options you have.

If you’re concerned about your hair, get a professional assessment. That’s not a sales pitch — it’s medical advice based on two decades of treating patients.

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Dr. Lu Ying Shean is the founder of MU Scalp & Hair Growth Solutions at Kolam Centre Phase 1, Jalan Lintas, Kota Kinabalu. Book a myth-free consultation at +60 14-366 9770.