15 Common Myths about Hair Care

Hair Myths

We usually never let the truth get in the way of a good legend! There are a ton of myths about hair care, so in order to sort the facts from the fiction, read on. This article examines some of the most widely known myths about hair – and the reality behind these myths.

Hair Facts and Myths:

(Myths about Hair Care)

1. Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss

FALSE: Frequency of washing doesn’t harm hair or cause hair loss. Wash it as often as you like (but don’t shampoo often), although the typical recommendation is only three times a week.

2. More shampoo = cleaner hair

FALSE: Don’t waste your shampoo! A dollop of shampoo, about the size of a quarter is usually enough for long hair. Very long hair may take a little more. Don’t shampoo daily.

3. Conditioner helps repair split ends

FALSE: No conditioner can “repair” damaged hair. What it can do, however, is smooth down the cuticle and make hair seem in better condition. A good conditioner can also prevent new damage from occurring.

4. Blow-drying produces hair loss

FALSE: Blow-drying may damage, burn, or dry hair, which can cause it to fall out or become less healthy-looking, but the hair will grow back immediately. This is not permanent hair loss.

5. Sleeping with wet hair causes scalp fungus

FALSE: Scalp or fungal diseases can’t be caught from sleeping with wet scalps. Scalp infections require prior involvement with infected sources such as other humans, tainted hair care tools, or animal contact.

6. To get your hair to grow, brush 100 strokes each day

FALSE: Brushing that much can damage the hair cuticle and is NOT recommended! Extra brushing will only lead to split ends and hair breakage.

7. Sharing combs and brushes can spread scalp diseases

TRUE: Lice and other parasites can be transported from scalp to scalp through the sharing of combs, brushes, and other hair care tools.

8. Cutting hair makes it grow faster and/or thicker

FALSE: This common misconception comes from the fact that hair is thicker at the base than it is at the tip, so shorter hair appears thicker at first. Cutting your hair does not affect its normal biologically determined growth rate or overall texture. Hair will never ever grow thicker or faster in response to a haircut.

9. Color treatment causes hair loss

FALSE: Most hair coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used, but it won’t instigate hair loss on its own.

10. Salon products are identical to drugstore products

FALSE: Although there are exceptions, salon products generally contain higher quality, more expensive ingredients that are designed to consistently provide more intensive cleansing, moisturizing, and conditioning results. Many of these ingredients found in salon products are not usually found in drugstore brands.

11. Long sun exposure causes hair loss

FALSE: Your hair acts as a shield against the sun. Hair loss appears at the follicle level and so the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage, and this does not happen from regular sun exposure or even long sun exposure.

12. Diet is related to hair health

TRUE: It’s important to eat right in order to be generally healthy and this includes your hair. Eat nutrient dense foods including plenty of vegetables and fats. Note, however, that no individual food has been proven to be beneficial or detrimental to hair.

13. Stress causes hair loss

TRUE: Severe stress can shut down hair production, causing temporary hair loss. The scalp usually recuperates and hair grows back

14. Wearing tight braids, ponytails, or buns causes baldness

TRUE: Traction alopecia is a very real hair loss condition that is quite common amongst older African American women. It results from wearing tight ponytails, cornrows, or buns over an extended period of time. Over time, hair breakage or loss as the result of tight, stressed styles, can become permanent. Avoid this potential problem by opting for looser styles that minimize scalp tension.

15. Smoking causes gray hair

TRUE: According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England, in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997), smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than non-smokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.

Did you learn a lot about these facts and myths about hair?