7+ Common Hair Myths You Need To Stop Believing ASAP
You’ve probably heard hair myths, such as “cutting your hair will help it grow faster” or “plucking a gray hair will cause more to grow”, for so long that you’ve taken them as facts by now. However, there is plenty of false information out there when it comes to our hair. And it’s completely normal to fall for it. After all, not all of us are hairdressers or have a degree in hair health. All we want is to do what’s best for our hair. While hair as a whole can’t really be put into one category, stylists do agree that there are some pervasive and persistent hair myths that need to be cleared up for the sake of everybody’s hair.
All we want is to do what’s best for our hair
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Common Hair Myths: True or False?
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Yes, hair is highly individual. Yet there seems that there are some myths all of us believe. Whether they are passed down to us by our mother, grandmother, TV ads or magazines, we have taken them as gospel. However, are most of our golden rules for healthy hair lies? Let’s find out.
There seems that there are some myths all of us believe
Air-Drying Is Better
Myth: Air drying your hair is much better than using a hair dryer.
Truth: Yes, too much heat can be bad for your hair. However, is air drying it better? Not really. Pretty much everything you do can create a certain combined amount of damage. This includes from washing to combing to product use. However, just like extreme heat can cause the hair to break, leaving water in it will cause the fiber to swell and will make your hair much weaker. That’s why it is in our hair’s best interest to dry it as quick as possible. In your hair’s best interest it’s important to use tools that have intelligent heat control, so the damage is at a minimum.
It is in our hair’s best interest to dry it as quick as possible
Plucking Gray Hairs Is Bad
Myth: Plucking out your gray hairs will cause more to grow in their place.
Truth: We’re sure you’ve heard this one quite a lot. The famous “if you pluck one out, two will come to the funeral” threat. However, this statement lacks logic. If it were true, this means that plucking out hairs would be a great way to get a fuller head of hair in the long run. According to Annabel Kingsley (trichologist at Philip Kingsley) it’s quite the opposite. Plucking out hairs, no matter what color will cause permanent damage and distort the hair follicles. This means your hair will stop growing back and lead to hair loss. So, don’t be afraid to pluck out that one hair, just don’t make it a habit.
Plucking out hairs, no matter what color will cause permanent damage
Regular Trims Will Make It Grow Faster
Myth: Giving your hair regular trims will help your hair grow faster.
Truth: What? The truth is hair grows from the hair follicles in the roots of your scalp, not from the ends. Cutting your hair often won’t do anything for its growth. Especially if you’re just trimming the ends. Trimming your ends or “dusting” them will only help you to prevent any split ends from going up further along the hair. It will also help the hair to not look stringy, and may help it look thicker. But other than that, no new hair will start growing thanks to a monthly trim. So, try to focus on your scalp needs for hair growth.
Cutting your hair often won’t do anything for its growth
You Shouldn’t Wash Your Hair Too Often
Myth: Washing your hair every day will only cause it to get greasier faster.
Truth: People regularly try to “train” their hair to stay “cleaner” for longer. While it’s completely fine to wash your hair every couple of days if that’s what feels best for you and fits your schedule, there is also nothing wrong with washing your hair every day. Your scalp is still a part of your skin, so if it’s okay to wash your face every day, why wouldn’t the same apply to the hair. Washing your hair daily can actually help support scalp health and can even help encourage hair growth. Daily showering is especially recommended for people dealing with dandruff. However, if you can a dry and coarse scalp, then daily washing isn’t recommended. Do what feels best for you.
Washing your hair daily can actually help support scalp health
Hair Becomes Immune To Shampoos
Myth: You need to change up your shampoo and conditioner every few months, so your hair doesn’t get used to them.
Truth: While this is one of the most common hair myths, it isn’t exactly correct, there does lie some truth in it. Hair, like skin, doesn’t get “used” to products. They don’t suddenly stop working and leave you with no benefits because the hair got used to them. No, the truth is, your hair needs probably just changed. So, you do need to change up your shampoo and conditioner but only if you think your hair requires some more help than the one you are currently giving it. You may have colored it, cut it, the weather may have changed, you may have grown it longer and so on. Needs change as the time goes on.
Hair, like skin, doesn’t get “used” to products
A Cold Water Rinse Will Make Hair Shinier
Myth: Rinsing your hair with cold water after your shower will make it look shinier.
Truth: If only it was that easy. While giving yourself a cold rinse can help wake you up and energize you, it really won’t do wonders for your hair. A study was done based on this myth by chemists at TRI Princeton. And they quickly debunked it. The researchers found that the participants who had their hair rinse with cold water didn’t have any additional shine added. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The participants who rinsed their hair with warm water had an improvement in hair shine and removed all residue buildup.
The participants who rinsed their hair with warm water had an improvement in hair shine
Color Sticks Better on Dirty Hair
Myth: Dyeing your hair when it’s dirty will help the color stick better.
Truth: Yea, that is an absolute lie. Color actually sticks much better on clean hair. Hair that doesn’t have any styling products, buildup, or residue. Instead of going to the salon with dirty hair, it’s recommended you wash your hair the night before. Even if it’s just a simple root touch-up, or you’re dyeing your hair at home. However, make sure to not use any of your daily styling products such as dry shampoo, mousse, gels, serums and so on right before your appointment.
Color actually sticks much better on clean hair
Skip Conditioner If You Have Greasy Hair
Myth: You should skip out on using conditioner if you tend to have greasy hair.
Truth: Um, greasy hair isn’t cause by conditioning your hair. The actual cause is sebum. When too much sebum (a natural oil produced by the body) is produced by the scalp, it causes buildup. Consequently, leaving you with greasy hair. So, using a proper shampoo and conditioner is not only okay, but also recommended. Conditioner helps to provide a good dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection to the hair and scalp that it wouldn’t usually get. You just need to find the right products for your hair and scalp needs.
Conditioner helps to provide a good dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection
These were some common hair myths you need to stop believing. We hope you found this article useful. Now you’ll know what’s real and what’s a lies fed to us by marketing companies. We hope you can make the best decisions for your hair with all this new knowledge.
These were some common hair myths you need to stop believing
Sources:
- Edna ©
- Reader’s Digest ©
- Briogeo ©
- Function of Beauty ©
- Byrdie ©
- Harper’s Bazaar ©
