You
may have noticed, we like debunking myths. In any area, like health or
nutrition, there are pervasive misconceptions that are passed through
generations. They are sometimes so old and common they start to be
considered true. However, many of them are simply false and sometimes
even damaging. Haircare is no different. Today we’ll bust 10 such
universal myths regarding what’s best for your hair. Trimming, shampoo,
and grey hair - it’s all in here!
1. Washing your hair less will make it grow faster
You’ve
probably heard this one a lot. The dirtier the hair the faster it will
grow is a common misconception - after all less washing and styling
means fewer chances for breakage right? Well, actually it’s a total
myth. Skipping showers in the hopes your hair will grow faster will not
bring you the desired results, on the contrary. “Hair is at its
healthiest and strongest when it’s clean and conditioned. Not washing
your scalp clogs your follicles, which can stop its growth,” explained
celebrity hairstylist Brenton Kane Diallo.
2. Plucking a gray hair makes more grow
If
you’re afraid of plucking your gray hair out of fear that two new ones
will grow in its place, you can rest assured this is a false theory.
Plucking a gray hair may not lead to more gray hair, but it’s still best
to put the tweezers down. That is because plucking hair, in general,
puts stress on the follicle and your scalp, and pulling a hair out can
cause it to grow back with a courser texture and weird growth pattern.
3. You must shampoo oily hair daily
While
the job of shampoo is to get rid of unwanted dirt and oils, it’s
important not to overdo it. If you have naturally oily hair it does not
mean you should shampoo it more often. Doing so would be
counterproductive as your body is likely to react in overproducing sebum
to compensate for what is lost. “Shampooing too much can lead to
brittle hair and itchy scalp —among other things. Instead, take a look
at your diet, and use light, water-based products,” is the advice of
hairstylist.
4. Trimming your hair makes it grow faster
Trimming
your hair every 4 to 6 weeks does ensure minimal split ends and keeps
the hair healthy, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t make it
grow faster. Yet, experts stress that trims are essential for their
other benefits - lightly trimming the ends, also called ‘dusting’ will
improve the texture and elasticity of the hair as well as prevent split
ends from growing up the hair shaft.
5. Shampoos stop working after a while
This myth stems from the idea
that after a while your hair will “get used” to a product and will stop
reacting to it. However, there isn’t really evidence to support this
claim. In fact, experts warn that switching shampoo too often can
actually make things worse. Human hair and scalp oil, sebum, has a pH
balance of between 4.5 and 5.5. This natural hair acidity prevents fungi
and bacteria in the hair and scalp and keeps the cuticle closed and
healthy. Constantly trying new products may disrupt your PH balance and
cause problems like a dry scalp and hair breakage from lack of moisture.
Of course, there are instances
when going for a new shampoo or hair product makes sense. If you
recently made a change, like coloring your hair, or using a hot tool
frequently, it might be a good idea to switch to a more hydrating
shampoo.
6. Natural oils are good for your hair
Many people swear by natural
substances such as avocado oil, coconut oil, and honey when it comes to
hair health. But the truth is most raw food ingredients are incapable of
penetrating the hair shaft deep enough to make any lasting improvement.
Not only is the practice
ineffective, but it might also leave strands of hair feeling sticky or
greasy. Don’t get us wrong, these products can be great when used as the
emollient (the ingredient which forms a smooth, even film on the
surface of the hair to soften it) within professional products, but when
used on their own they are heavy and hard to wash out.
7. Split ends can be repaired
The
sad truth is, once the end of a hair has split, there is no way to put
it back together. The best way to deal with split ends is to prevent
them in the first place. As we already mentioned, the best way to do so
is by having regular trims every 6 to 8 weeks.
Other
ways to prevent split ends is to avoid using hot tools as much as
possible and using a brush rather than a comb. When brushing your hair,
experts advise starting from the ends and working your way up to the
shaft, as opposed to brushing from the roots down to the ends.
8. Stress makes your hair grey
Grey
hair is a combination of normally pigmented hairs interspersed with
white ones. Hair turns white when the pigmentation cells responsible for
color (melanin) stop being produced. There is no scientific proof that
worries and stress speed up the process of going gray. It is a natural
part of aging, and when it starts happening is down to genetics. There
are some health conditions that may cause premature greying such as
diabetes, pernicious anemia, or thyroid problems.
9. Ponytails and buns are a good daily hairstyle
Of course, there is nothing
wrong with wearing these hairstyles sometimes, and they are great when
you want to escape the heat. However, it’s important to know that
wearing your hair up every day over a long period of time can cause
breakage and hair loss.
Over time, the strands where the
elastic meets the hair can get stressed, especially if you wear your
ponytail tight. The constant friction can cause breakage and frizz,
while the consistent pulling can tress the hair follicles around your
hairline and eventually pull out the hairs.
10. 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner products are as good as separate ones
For the sake of your hair, it’s
best to have separate shampoo and conditioner. These products work in
doing completely different things. The job of shampoo is to clean the
dirt and buildup from the scalp whereas conditioner focuses on smoothing
out and locking in nutrients in the hair. Combining the two may not
give you the results you desire in any area.
Moreover, you have no control
over how much conditioner is in 2-in-1 products, so if you have a
particular type of hair that needs more or less conditioning than usual,
it’s best to keep the shampoo and conditioner separate.