I am always amazed when I hear some of the advice being given about hair. Some range from ridiculous, but are considered “common knowledge” because they have been passed down from generation to generation and spoken by so many people, that the plausibility of the statement is rarely questioned.
However, I am tired of it! So…here are the top ten hair myths, and why they’re not beneficial for beautiful locks.
10) Stress causes hair loss.
This may be true if you have just experienced catastrophic stress, such as divorce or death. The hair may fall out, but it will grow back. The average person loses around 100 strands (yes, 100!) per day due to natural shedding.
If you’re losing hair, the most likely cause is a deficiency (protein is the most I’ve found) or a prescription you’re taking. If you really notice severe hair loss, see a doctor.
One piece of advice: brush your hair before you shower. It will get rid of the hair that should have fallen out while you were sleeping, which will cause the hair to fall out during the grooming time, the “natural” amount of hair you would lose in that time period. I lose so much hair every day, and my hair is so long, it always feels longer than it really is.
9) Don’t pull out gray hairs, two while they grow into place.
Did this idea come from cutting worms in half? A hair follicle produces a strand of hair, that’s all! So once a strand of gray hair appears, that strand of hair will always be gray (unless you dye it). If another one shows up, then it was going to happen anyway.
However, we don’t actually recommend plucking gray hair for a totally different reason: it causes scarring damage to the hair follicle, so when the hair grows back, it will be weaker. Just dye it or live with it.
8) Cold water makes hair shine.
I have always been told to rinse hair with cold water while washing out conditioner. They say that it closes the hair follicle, but they do not realize that this is just a way to wake up in the morning! Your regular style will moot this cold rinse.
In fact, if you want shinier hair, after styling as usual, use a blast of cold air from your hair dryer. That will lock in the style and create more shine.
7) 100 hits a day.
We’ve all heard this myth: 100 strokes for beautiful, healthy hair. This is so far from the truth that it’s not even funny! Hairbrushes can break your hair, making it less healthy and shaggier than you intended (we hope, anyway).
After your shower, use a wide tooth comb to work out any tangles. Dry blow. Then brush your hair. If you need to brush through it later, do so from the ends and work your way up (not against the threads, but making sure not to catch in a knot).
6) Use a nickel-sized amount of conditioner.
They always say to use a nickel-sized amount of conditioner on your hair. The truth is that you need more if you have longer hair. After applying the conditioner, you should feel the softness of your hair (and don’t apply it to the roots or you’ll look heavy, flat). My hair is incredibly long and I use about half a dollar a day. Keeps my hair soft; if I don’t use as much, my hair feels dry. So really, it depends on your hair.
5) The products can repair split ends.
Now this is nonsense. The hair is dead cells; when a split end occurs, the hair shaft is split down the middle. If left untreated, it will climb up the hair strand and damage the hair even worse. The products claim to “seal” these split ends, but come on.
Think about your nails: if one splits, what will fix it? Cutting it. You can apply some glue, but it’s still broken and will do more damage. Just get it trimmed regularly so your hair stays healthy.
4) Dandruff is caused by dry scalp.
Dandruff actually comes from oily hair, not dry scalp! They are two different foods! If you have oily hair, use an anti-dandruff shampoo to leave it nice and clean; if you have a dry scalp, see a doctor.
3) Hair products damage the hair.
“Don’t straighten your hair, or you will damage it.” “Don’t dye it, or you’ll dry it out.”
Yadda yadda yadda. It’s 2012, people. Hair products are developed for women who style their hair; if they don’t, then they won’t sell! The products can actually make your hair healthier or protect it from further damage.
In fact, every time you color your hair, you’ll probably notice a smoother, shinier texture. There are so many vitamins and other ingredients in the dye that your hair will really improve.
For hot styling (straightening) methods, use a heat protectant. Heat can fry your hair, but companies are always coming up with new ways to protect it.
2) “Lather, rinse, repeat.”
We hear this so often that it has become commonplace. You shouldn’t, I repeat, you shouldn’t have to wash your hair twice for your shampoo to work. A shampoo will do the trick, unless you’re feeling particularly messy, but that means you didn’t lather enough (or didn’t use a good enough shampoo) the first time.
There has only been one occasion where a stylist has asked me to do this: when I had a Brazilian Blowout, the double shampoo was to open up the hair follicles to the keratin product.
1) Do you want longer hair? Cut it!
Oh, I’m so sick of this. Your hair is not grass; it is not a worm; is not living! Trimming the ends does not in the least affect the roots, where the hair grows!
Who the hell invented this myth? I want to hurt them! The only benefit of a regular cut is to eliminate split ends and maintain the shape of the hair. The hair doesn’t grow evenly around the head, so the trim keeps the ends the same length, rather than on one side.
Well, there you have it: the ten most common hair myths and the plain truth about them.
