When it comes to hair loss in women and men, there’s a lot of misinformation out there! Today we’re answering your top questions about hair loss so you can separate the facts from the fiction.

Does wearing a hat make you bald?

Thankfully no, so don’t toss out your hat collection yet! There was a time when people thought that hats constricted circulation to the scalp, cutting off vital nutrients to your hair follicles and causing hair loss. Constant hat-wearing was also thought to keep the scalp from “breathing,” but we now know this isn’t true—follicles don’t literally breathe so they don’t need exposure to the air to stay healthy, and your favorite hat couldn’t possibly fit tight enough to cut off circulation to your scalp.

In fact, according to Dr. Joel Schlessinger, CEO of LovelySkin.com and board-certified dermatologist, wearing a hat is one of the best ways to keep your scalp healthy and sunburn-free when you’re out in the sun this summer, and he always recommends keeping one handy!

Does shampoo cause hair loss?

This one’s another no. Everyone naturally loses hair at about the same rate, anywhere from 50-100 hairs a day. If you don’t wash your hair every day, these hairs often remain loosely attached until your next shampoo, where it will look like your hair’s falling out at an alarming rate. Far from shampoo causing you to lose hair, many formulas actually help you keep what you have while stimulating your scalp for healthier hair growth. One of our favorites in this category is Peter Lamas Hair Solutions Energizing Shampoo, which combines biotin and a blend of Chinese herbs in a natural formula that’s sulfate- and paraben-free.

Does stress make your hair fall out?

Yes and no. There is evidence that stress can cause temporary hair loss, but we’re talking major stresses on the body like childbirth or a sudden illness. In other words, you don’t have to worry about your hair falling out when you’re sweating over your big presentation at work.

For those times when you do experience the kinds of stress that lead to hair loss, a dietary supplement like Viviscal Professional Supplements can help your locks grow back stronger and healthier. Formulated especially for hair growth with a proprietary marine complex, apple extract and biotin, this vitamin program nourishes hair follicles from the inside out, so sparse, wispy hair becomes fuller, thicker and more vibrant with consistent use.

Can hair grow back after receding?

It’s a common idea that once your hair is gone, it’s gone for good. There’s some truth to this, because once a hair follicle has completely stopped growing hair, it won’t start again. If you begin a hair growth regimen while your follicles are just slowing down, though, it’s possible to inhibit future hair loss and even begin growing it back.

“There are treatments for hair growth that have been very effective for people, like topical serums, shampoos and supplements,” says Dr. Schlessinger, “and ideally these products should be used together for best results.” On the cutting edge of hair growth technology are light therapy devices like the HairMax LaserBand 41. This fast and easy-to-use device uses 41 medical-grade lasers to deliver stimulating energy directly to hair follicles with a 3-minute treatment time.

Now that you know wearing a hat does not make you bald, what other myths do you want to see debunked? Let us know in the comments below!