[주말엔 운동] ‘Does exercise cause hair loss?’… Effects of Exercise on Hair Loss

[아이뉴스24 설래온 기자] Some people worry that strenuous exercise will increase male hormones and cause hair loss. However, exercise does not cause or worsen hair loss.

Male hormones have a major impact on male pattern hair loss. Exercise also increases male hormone levels. Looking at this alone, the statement that ‘exercise causes hair loss’, which was often considered a joke, sounds bad again.

So, shouldn’t people who are worried about hair loss exercise? Most experts say that it is highly unlikely that exercise directly causes hair loss, but rather they express the opinion that adequate exercise can help prevent it. cause hair loss.

Taro Koyama, director of Tokyo D Clinic, also told Sankei Shimbun on the 17th (local time), “Among patients who visit the hospital for hair loss treatment, they often ask about the effect of exercise on hair loss hair,” adds, “In particular, many people say that exercise has a negative effect on hair loss.” “There is a misconception that hair loss can occur as the blood concentration of testosterone, a male hormone, increases,” he said.

Director Koyama described the underlying mechanism of male hair loss and said, “In general, male hair loss is caused by the action of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the male hormones. DHT is testosterone metabolized by 5α-reductase in the skin. is created while doing this, and if the hair is exposed to this for a long time after childbirth, hair loss can occur,” he explained.

He continued, “You may think that exercise increases testosterone levels and promotes hair loss, but the concern is that exercise makes hair loss worse as the increase in male hormones a ‘lack of scientific basis.” increased secretion due to exercise, it is not at a sufficient level to affect the hair loss process.”

In addition, “Exercise is effective in preventing and reducing obesity, and considering the research results that show that obesity affects the progression of hair loss, it can also have a positive effect on hair health,” he added: “Accordingly, exercise is not a risk factor for hair loss.” “It can be seen as a beneficial activity,” he said.

Director Koyama said, “Lifestyle habits such as exercise, eating habits and smoking affect the progression of hair loss, but according to research, about 80% is determined by genetic factors that have already appeared, promote lifestyle habits and visit a medical center.

At the same time, many research results show that exercise has a positive effect on preventing hair loss. In a study conducted in China in 2020, it was determined that 600 patients with hair loss exercised for more than 60 minutes a day, which was effective in slowing down the hair loss process. A study of 49 pairs of identical twins from 2009 to 2011 also revealed that hair loss on the crown of the head progresses faster in those who do not exercise.

Therefore, if you are concerned about hair loss, it is better to exercise regularly rather than taking a break from exercise. However, you must be careful because if your body is under a lot of stress due to excessive exercise, telogen effluvium can occur after about 3 to 4 months.