Have you ever wondered if the things that you are doing to your hair are actually healthy for it? Or maybe, you’ve been doing something to your hair for years because that’s what you’ve heard over the years.
We are so caught up in the “what to do” of hair care that we often lose sight of the “what not to do”. Similarly, there are a million hair care myths floating around, and most people who don’t understand the issue choose to believe them without verifying them, in turn damaging their hair.
As it stands, there’s so much information available already that it’s become hard to tell which of them is true. Well, don’t be worried.
In this article, we have listed some popular hair care myths that you have to stop believing to take your hair care game to the next level.
9 Common Hair Care Myths That You Need To Stop Believing
It’s probably time for you to bust some common hair care myths that may be holding you back from achieving your hair goals. The following hair care myths should not be followed, regardless of your hair type.
Myth #1: Cutting Your Hair Will Make It Grow Faster
One of the most common hair care myths is that cutting your hair will make it grow faster. However, this is completely untrue! Cutting your hair doesn’t speed up hair growth, but it does remove damaged ends, making your hair look and feel healthier.
Hair grows from the scalp, not the ends (where split ends are), so if you cut off split ends and give those healthy roots all of the necessary nutrients they need to grow, then you’ll have longer, stronger hair in no time!
Myth #2: Frequent Washing Damages Hair
One of the most widespread hair care myths is that frequent washing causes hair loss. In actuality, it’s the chemical-based shampoo you use that can leave your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type, hairstyle, and lifestyle. While it is true that infrequent washing can result in a buildup of dead cells, product residue, oil, and bacteria, all of which can cause scalp discomfort.
Myth #3: More Is Better When It Comes to Quantity
We believe that more bubbles mean a deeper cleansing, however, this is again false. The presence of foam does not indicate that your shampoo is effective.
Rather, if used excessively, sulfate in shampoo can strip your hair of essential oils and nutrients which are crucial for healthy and shiny locks.
There’s a saying that all good things come in moderation. This is true for shampoo as well! It is best to avoid using hair care products in excess or more than what is necessary since this might cause your hair to become dry and frizzy.
Myth #4: Plucking Grey Hairs Grows Two More
If you’re afraid about plucking one grey would grow more of them, take heart from this debunked myth. Because, hair follicles can only grow one strand of hair at a time, so even if you do have a few greys, plucking them won’t cause two more to grow.
Most likely, this misconception emerged because grey hairs tend to appear progressively, and once you see one you’ll eventually notice more.
Despite this being a myth, you should still avoid constant plucking, and tugging of your hair strands as it can cause hair fibers to weaken and ultimately rip.
Myth #5: It’s Possible To Fix Split Ends
Contrary to certain products or what treatment claims, split ends cannot be fixed. It occurs when your hair’s protective outer layer called the cuticle has been damaged and there is no way to repair the damage.
If you want to get rid of split ends, you simply have to cut them off. Also, to prevent future damage and further splitting, we suggest avoiding heat styling tools as much as possible and sticking to trimming your hair every six to eight weeks.
Myth #6: Brushing Your Hair 100 Strokes Will Make It Healthier
Brushing the hair with 100 strokes has been a common practice for ages. Some people brush their hair this much number of times to make it healthier, while some do it because they are told to brush the scalp every night before sleeping to improve blood circulation.
Whatever be the reason, in both cases, it is a myth that needs to stop. Brushing your hair helps spread its oils, but 100 strokes are unnecessary.
Excessive brushing may cause more harm than good by damaging the hair cuticle and pulling away strands from their follicles. It should be done gently and only when it is necessary to detangle hair with the right kind of brush.
Myth #7: Cold Showers Add Shine to Your Hair
No more bouncing about in discomfort or rushing through a chilly shower for shiny hair. You can stop believing this myth, as cold water does not make your hair shinier.
It might feel refreshing but it will close the hair cuticles instead of opening them to let moisture shine in. So what should you do if you want to increase the shine?
You can opt for lukewarm water instead. It opens up your scalp’s cuticles and will help you completely clean your hair. Also, to add extra shine, use a good quality conditioner that will penetrate your strands to make them look smooth.
Myths #8: Air-Drying Your Hair Is Better Than Blow-Drying It
Most of us are sure that air-drying our hair will let us get the shiny and smooth look we see in movies. But this is a big myth!
Exposure to water for a long time can actually cause damage to your hair since it tends to swell up the cuticle and strain the proteins holding it together.
This means that using a hairdryer at low or cooler temperatures is less damaging to your hair than letting it dry by itself. Although, you should avoid focusing heat on one area for too long, or you risk burning or damaging your mane.
Myths #9: The Texture of Your Hair Can Never Change
It is a widely held notion among many people that the texture of your hair can’t be changed, which is false. Whether your hair is straight, smooth, or wavy, it is possible that you can alter its texture and appearance at any moment during your lifetime.
It is mostly dependent on how you manage and care for them, as well as other factors such as chemical hair treatments, severe weather conditions, hair styling, and so on.
Wrapping Up: Common Hair Care Myths That You Needs To Stop Believing
That’s all! If you’re wincing because you bought into any of the hair care myths listed above, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Don’t let these myths hold you back.
Make sure you do your own research so that you aren’t falling again for any of these hair care myths that people repeat as facts.
Whether you have naturally curly hair, straight hair, or a mix of both, getting your hair care right is important. And knowing the true facts can help you figure out how to properly take care of your hair yourself.
Have you heard of any additional hair care myths? Let us know in the comments below.
