From caps causing baldness to whether scarred scalps can still be transplanted, Dr John Watts -- a Hyderabad-based dermatologist, trichologist and hair transplant surgeon -- used a recent FAQ session to clear up some of the most persistent misconceptions his viewers ask about.
Does Wearing a Cap or Turban Cause Baldness?
A viewer named Ramesh asked whether wearing caps leads to baldness. Dr Watts called this a common misconception with no real connection to hair loss. "That hair, if blocked light and air, can contribute to baldness is wrong. People in the North wear turbans and 'Pagris'. If it were true, then they would have all been battling baldness," he said.
He extended the point further, noting that people routinely wear tight-fitting jeans and undergarments without it affecting body hair growth in any way -- reinforcing that covering or compressing an area of skin does not, by itself, cause hair loss there.
Why Does the Same Water Affect Some People's Hair and Not Others?
Another viewer, Suresh B, asked a question many people wonder about: if two people use the same water for a head bath, why does one lose hair while the other doesn't? Dr Watts explained that if one person is unaffected, the issue likely lies elsewhere. "The hair loss condition could be anything from nutritional deficiency, hormonal issues, stress or he may have a genetic baldness issue. This needs to be diagnosed by a dermatologist or a trichologist. Please consult your doctor," he advised.
Can You Get a Hair Transplant After a Scalp Injury?
A viewer named Sambasiva, aged 42, shared that he had met with an accident in 2013 that left 27 stitches on his scalp, and asked whether he could still undergo a hair transplant, along with questions about cost and EMI payment options.
Dr Watts confirmed that a hair transplant is possible in such cases. "The prerequisite to undergoing a hair transplant is to have healthy donor hair at the back of your scalp or body hair like beard hair or chest or pubic hair for transplant if you do not have DHT-free donor hair on your scalp," he explained.
On cost, Dr Watts said pricing depends on several factors, primarily the size of the scalp area requiring transplantation. "If it is large enough, multiple sessions may be needed but if it is less in area, one session is enough," he said.
Across all three questions, Dr Watts returns to the same theme: hair loss has a specific, identifiable cause, and guesswork -- whether about caps, water, or old injuries -- is no substitute for a proper clinical evaluation.
This is a reassuring point for anyone in a profession or culture that requires regular head coverings, since it confirms that the practice itself carries no inherent risk to hair health.
It is a scenario Dr Watts says he hears often, and it usually reflects how hair loss is rarely caused by a single external factor alone -- internal health conditions typically play the larger role.
Dr Watts's answer on the injury case also reassures patients who assume that any past scalp trauma automatically rules out a hair transplant. As long as there is sufficient healthy donor hair elsewhere on the body, the procedure remains an option worth discussing with a surgeon.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Does wearing a cap or turban cause baldness?
No, this is a misconception -- there is no real connection between wearing caps, turbans or tight clothing and hair loss.
If two people use the same bathing water, why does only one lose hair?
If one person is unaffected, the hair loss is likely due to a separate issue in the other person, such as nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalance, stress or genetic baldness, which needs proper diagnosis.
Can someone with scars from a past head injury undergo a hair transplant?
Yes, as long as there is enough healthy donor hair available at the back of the scalp or from body hair like the beard, chest or pubic region.
What determines the cost of a hair transplant?
Cost mainly depends on the size of the scalp area that needs treatment -- larger areas may require multiple sessions, while smaller areas can often be completed in one session.
