Doctor's warning as they say hot showers could cause ‘sudden hair loss'

A doctor has issued a warning to blokes taking incredibly hot showers and the impact it might be having on their hairdo.

It's the cross men all over the world have to bear, the pain of getting your hair just the way you like it only to realise that you're in a war where your frontlines are thinning out and in slow retreat, pushed back steadily with the ravages of time.

Eventually you have to look in the mirror and accept that what you used to see there is no longer the view that greets you, leaving you with a choice over whether to accept your impending baldness or pull out all the stops to rescue the situation.

Researchers have suggested everything from booze to protein powder could make hair loss worse, and now doctors are warning the way you shower could have an impact too.

According to one medic, taking more care in the shower when you're setting the temperature could protect your barnet.

Hair loss expert Dr Wajid Ali Anwar of UK Hair Transplants told the Star that really hot showers can 'inflame the scalp' and 'strip away protective oils' which can leave the top of your head irritated and your hair shafts dehydrated.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, mate (Getty Stock Photo)

He said this could lead to 'breakage and temporary shedding' which men could mistake for 'sudden hair loss', so while you would look like you're losing a lot of hair it should grow back.

Your hair might be more prone to breakages which look like your hair is coming, but the vast majority of hair loss is genetic meaning you were likely already going to be losing that hair regardless.

On the other hand, if your scalp was already running the risk of becoming a smooth surface then it would speed up the process and leave you with less hair to not grow back again.

The doctor said: "If you’re already predisposed to thinning, harsh heat can make the problem look and feel worse."

He recommended you keep your shower temperature somewhere between 37C and 39C.

Unless you're scalding your scalp your hot shower won't give you permanent hair loss, but it can make hair more brittle (Getty Stock Photo)

Another expert, Dr Anthony Farole, said hair loss was largely caused by 'androgenetic alopecia' which is a genetic condition that's not specific to either parent.

He explained that you're not going to get permanent hair loss from hot showers as long as you're not scalding your scalp, but if the water is too hot then you could get brittle hair which breaks more easily.

The doctor added that washing your hair too much with water that's too hot also strips your scalp of important protective oils.

Washing hair is important for clearing away dirt and the bad oils you don't want on your hair, but if you're blasting it with hot water all the time then you're also stopping the good stuff from building up.

He said: "When washing hair, it is best to use warm water and even cooler water when rinsing it, helping to keep it moist and prevent breakage."

However, when it comes to hair loss, the game is most often rigged from the start.