There are many myths surrounding male pattern baldness. For example, wearing hats does not bring on baldness, nor does it come exclusively “from your mother’s side  toupee hair of the family.” Generally, balding in men is caused by increased exposure of follicles in the scalp to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes the pores in your scalp to shrink slowly over time and eventually disappear entirely. The smooth, shiny look of a bald scalp partially has this shrinkage to blame.

Here are some other myths about baldness and hair replacement that need to be dispelled.

Your Mane Won’t Look as Real

Trying to disguise hair loss is often the joke in a movie or on a TV show-a character is made fun of for having a wig or toupee that looks like a “mop” or a “dead animal.” While this is still a running joke, there have been advancements in the hair replacement industry that have led to more natural-looking wigs and toupees. These look and feel just like your real mane, and can be washed and styled the same way.

If you’re still not convinced, there are plenty of other non-surgical hair replacement procedures that use your existing follicles to create a fuller mane and a more cosmetically pleasing frontal hairline.

For example, laser therapy uses a low-grade, low-heat laser that penetrates the outer layer of your scalp and increases blood flow right under the skin. This increase in blood flow stimulates the growth of follicles, leading to more natural growth.

Some other therapies, like non-surgical grafts, transfer existing strands of hair from parts of your scalp that have better growth to the balding areas. These strands are deposited directly into the dermis, where your scalp continues to nourish them. The strands in these areas continue to grow just like in the surrounding areas.

My Hairline Won’t Look Natural

This is a common qualm with any hair replacem