If you google “hair tips” or “hair advice”, literally millions of search results will come up. Often, the same information is repeated over and over again. Some facts are true and solid advice, while other hair myths live on even if they are not accurate. Read on for some of the most common hair myths and their truths.
Myth: Frequent trims make hair grow faster.
Truth: “Hair grows a half-inch per month, whether you cut it or not,” says John Barrett, owner of the John Barrett Salon in New York City. Hair may grow slightly faster in the summer, but that has nothing to do with the stylist’s scissors and everything to do with hormones, which do speed growth a little. One thing a trim will do: Eliminate split ends, making hair look better. If you have healthy hair with no split ends and are looking to grow your hair out- there is no need to trim your hair just because you think you HAVE to trim it every 6 to 8 weeks, etc. Look at the ends of your hair, trim when they are split and past the point of no return or if you just want a new, shorter look.
Myth: Switching shampoos can make hair look healthier.
Truth: It may seem so, but experts scoff. “Hair can’t tell the difference between brands or build up tolerance to any product,” says London-based hair and scalp expert Philip Kingsley. “Your favorite shampoo will work the same every time you lather up, week after week, month after month.” If you have very oily hair or favor a particularly sticky styling product that contains wax, it does pay to use a clarifying shampoo once every two weeks to wash away residue. If you think your hair looks better by switching up shampoo every so often, or if you are a self-proclaimed product junkie who loves trying new shampoos, feel free to switch it up, but there is no true “need” to (unless of course, you start developing a reaction to your old shampoo- then please stop immediately”>
Myth: If you pluck out one gray hair, two more will sprout in its place.
Truth: While this isn’t true, plucking out those gray strands is a bad habit. You can damage the roots, causing infection or leaving a scar. While you won’t grow two back, when plucking, you also run the risk of that hair never growing back either- and nobody wants that!
Myth: You can’t make flat, fine hair look full of body.
Truth: Five minutes with a set of large hot rollers will add life to straight hair. Don’t give up right away, like anything- practice makes perfect. Before you know it, you will have more faux full looking hair! The Living Proof Full line can also help.
Myth: To get really clean hair, you must lather, rinse, and repeat.
Truth: One thorough washing will do the trick. But if you REALLY feel the need to shampoo twice, make sure the shampoo does not contain sulfates or you can be drying out your hair.
Myth: Rinsing with ice-cold water will give you shinier hair.
Truth: The experts say it will wake you up, but dousing of cold water will have no effect on the shininess of your tresses. However, if you do think rinsing with cold makes your hair look better, and you do not mind the brrr-factor, there is no harm in doing so.
Myth: Coloring your hair causes major damage.
Truth: I Products today — both at home and in the salon — are gentle enough not to weaken hair. In fact, some contain extra conditioners that may leave hair more manageable than before. Although it’s not necessary, “it can’t hurt to consult a professional stylist the first time you do anything permanent to your hair or scalp,” Kingsley counsels. However, even using the best of the best products, coloring your hair will never be 100% damage free.
Myth: You can mend split ends with the right products.
Truth: Once they’re split, then that’s it. The only thing you can do then is cut them off. Celebrity stylist Jimmy Paul suggests making split ends less noticeable by applying a product containing silicone or beeswax. It will temporarily seal ends together, making hair softer and more manageable. Split ends can’t be permanently repaired.
Myth: You should brush your hair 100 strokes every day.
Truth: “Brush only to style it, because brushing pulls hairs out of their follicles and possibly weakens individual strands,” says Kingsley. Plus, as curly girls- we all know what happens if we brush our hair dry!! (hello frizz”>
