The health and well-being of your hair are a reflection of your overall health. It’s no wonder we’re constantly bombarded with advice on how to care for it. However, not all the advice out there is accurate. Some of the most common hair myths can do more harm than good. This guide will debunk 15 common hair myths that may be ruining your hair.
Trimming Your Hair Makes it Grow Faster.
Fact: While regular trims help maintain the health of your hair by preventing split ends, they do not affect its growth rate. There is no growth at the end of the hair; instead, it occurs at the level of the follicle.
Healthier Hair with 100 strokes a day.
Fact: For generations, the advice to brush your hair 100 strokes a day has been passed down as a secret to achieving healthier and more luscious locks. Your scalp produces sebum, which helps moisturize and protect your hair. Over-brushing can distribute these oils unevenly along the hair shaft, leaving some parts overly greasy while others remain dry.
Washing Your Hair Every Day is Necessary to Keep it Clean.
Fact: Frequently washing your hair may strip it of its natural oils, causing it to damage. Your hair type and lifestyle determine how often you should wash it, but most people can get by with washing it every two to three days.
Plucking One Gray Hair Will Result in Growing Back.
Fact: This myth is simply not true. Plucking gray hair will not cause more to grow back in its place. Excessive plucking damages the hair follicle, leading to potential hair loss over time and balding.
Using Mayonnaise as a Hair Mask Can Repair Damaged Hair.
Fact: While mayonnaise may contain some ingredients that can temporarily condition the hair, it is not a miracle cure for damaged hair. Instead, opt for hair masks specifically formulated to repair and nourish your hair.
Rinsing your hair with cold water makes it shinier.
Fact: Rinsing your hair with cold water might seem like a quick fix for shinier locks. It might give you a temporary boost by sealing the outer layer of your hair, making it look shinier for a while. But that effect doesn’t last. Once your hair dries, it’s back to business as usual. It’s not a long-term solution for glossy hair.
You should switch shampoos frequently to prevent buildup.
Fact: Your scalp and hair can benefit from consistency when it comes to shampoo. Switching shampoos too often can disrupt the natural balance of your scalp, leading to issues like excess oil production or dryness.
Brushing wet hair is harmless.
Fact: Brushing wet hair is far from harmless. In fact, it can be a bit of a hair-raising experience for your locks. You see, when your hair is wet, it’s at its most vulnerable state. So, when you start brushing away, especially with gusto, you’re basically asking for trouble.
Coloring will make your hair fall out.
Fact: While chemical hair dyes can cause damage if used improperly, they do not typically cause hair to fall out. However, over-processing or using harsh chemicals can weaken the hair and lead to breakage.
Chopping hair during a full moon makes it grow faster.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that lunar cycles affect hair growth. The moon’s phases do not affect hair growth, but factors such as genetics and hormones do.
Regularly wearing hats can cause hair loss.
Fact: Sporting your favorite cap won’t lead to a sudden disappearance of your luscious locks. Hair loss is a complex story with many characters, like nutrients, hormones, etc. Sure, wearing a tight-fitting hat 24/7 might mess with your hair’s mojo by restricting blood flow to your scalp, but it’s more about the snugness than the hat itself.
Sunlight is good for your hair.
Fact: While sunlight is essential for vitamin D production, excessive sun exposure can damage the hair by drying it out and causing color fade. Protect your hair from UV damage by wearing a scarf or using sunscreen or UV protectant spray.
You can repair split ends with hair products.
Fact: Split ends can only be effectively removed by trimming the hair. You will definitely find many products that may temporarily smooth split ends and reduce their appearance, but they cannot repair the damage.
Cutting your hair short will make it grow back thicker.
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, altering the length of one’s hair does not influence its subsequent thickness. This myth, akin to many beauty-related misconceptions, lacks empirical support. The perception of increased thickness post-trim may arise from the blunt edge left by cutting, which can make the hair appear denser temporarily.
Shaving your head makes your hair grow back thicker.
Fact: It’s a common belief that shaving your head can result in thicker, stronger hair regrowth. However, shaving only affects the visible portion of the hair shaft, not the hair follicle or root. As a result, regrown hair has the same texture and thickness as before shaving.
