Top 12 Hair Myths - DEBUNKED

Hair myths have been around for ages, and it can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction when it comes to taking care of your tresses. Here are some of the most common hair myths, and the truth behind them:

While it's true that getting regular haircuts can help keep your hair looking healthy and prevent split ends, it will not make your hair grow faster. Hair growth is primarily determined by genetics and hormonal factors, and no amount of trimming can change that.

Hot water can strip the natural oils from your hair, leaving it feeling dry and brittle. However, this can be mitigated by using a moisturizing conditioner and limiting the amount of hot water you use. It's also a good idea to rinse your hair with cooler water to help seal the cuticle and add shine.

Brushing your hair too frequently or too vigorously can actually cause damage, as it can lead to breakage and split ends. Instead, try using a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your hair, especially when it is wet.

Shampooing your hair every day can strip it of its natural oils and lead to dryness and damage. It is generally recommended to shampoo every 2-3 days, or as needed based on your hair type and activity level. If you have oily hair, you may need to shampoo more frequently, but be sure to use a gentle, sulfate-free formula.

This is a common myth, but there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that going to bed with wet hair will make you sick. However, sleeping with wet hair can lead to a variety of hair issues, such as frizz, tangles, and breakage, so it's generally a good idea to let your hair dry before going to bed.

In conclusion, it's important to be mindful of the myths and misconceptions surrounding hair care, and to do your own research and consult with a hair stylist to determine the best course of action for your specific hair type and needs.

Many clients have told me they air dry their hair to prevent heat damage and they believed their hair is healthier that way. The truth is that air drying, and blow-drying do not cause damage. Blow-drying the hair with the right products and protection actually seals the cuticle and make the hair look super shiny and healthy. However, excessive blow-drying especially without heat protection or a concentrator will cause damage on the hair's surface layer.  A hot tip is to always have a concentrator and rough dry your hair 75-85%. Then make sure to follow the hair stand as it grows and do not put the air too close to your strands. This will give you a healthy blowout with no damage. 

 Air drying everyday can actually cause damage to the actual hair structure. This is because when our hair is exposed to water for an extended time period, the cuticle swells open and puts pressure on our keratin or protein bonds that keep our hair together. This is especially dangerous in the cold weather if you leave with your hair wet or damp.

Wearing a hat or using a hair tie will not cause your hair to fall out or become damaged. In fact, these can be helpful ways to protect your hair from the elements, such as the sun or wind. However, it is important to be gentle when putting your hair up and to avoid pulling it too tightly, as this can cause breakage. Instead of using a regular elastic, try a scrunchie or a hair claw clip for gentle styling. These accessories avoid tension and constant pulling on the hair. It is also a good idea to switch up your hairstyles and not always wear your hair in the same way to prevent tension on the same areas of the scalp.

Going grey is a natural part of the aging process and is not caused by stress. While stress may accelerate the rate at which hair turns grey, it is not the root cause of grey hair. Genetics and the natural aging process play a much larger role in determining when and how quickly someone's hair will turn grey. If you are struggling with the appearance of grey hairs, a stylist may be able to recommend techniques such as glossing or highlights to help blend the grey hairs with the rest of your hair. Remember, going grey is a natural and normal part of life, and there is nothing to be ashamed of! If you have any questions about dealing with grey hair, don't hesitate to reach out to me or another fellow hair stylist for guidance.

Dirty hair is not the best canvas for hair coloring. In fact, it can make it more difficult to achieve even, consistent color results. Dirty hair is coated with dirt, oils, and product buildup, which can create a barrier on the surface of the hair that makes it harder for the color to penetrate and achieve even coverage. Additionally, dirty hair is more prone to tangles and knots, which can make the coloring process more difficult and lead to uneven or patchy results. To achieve the best color results, it is recommended to use clean hair. If are concerned about irritating your scalp during processing, make sure to let your stylist know and they can add sweet and low to your formula, bleach or color.  It is recommended to wash the night or day before your hair appointment and come to the salon with no product on your hair and your hair completely dry and in its natural state.  

Hair coloring, when done properly, is generally not damaging to the hair. Modern hair dyes are formulated with conditioning agents or bond builders that can help nourish and protect the hair during the coloring process. However, it is important to follow the instructions on the hair dye box and to use the product as directed. Overprocessing the hair or leaving the dye on for too long can cause damage, as can using hair dyes that are too harsh or that are not suitable for your hair type. To minimize the risk of damage, it is recommended to use a hair dye that is formulated for your hair type and to have your hair colored by a professional stylist who can ensure that the process is done safely and correctly.

In this day and age, we have so many products available to protect and prepare the hair before processing. Some of the best products in today's salons are K18 and Loreal Metal Detox. K18 is a molecular repair system that repairs the hair inside out in just 4 minutes! K18's spray is misted in the hair before any salon service and will repair the hair before undergoing processing. Then the treatment is followed up with a molecular repair mask before and after toning. Our clients take this mask home and use it every 3-4 shampoos to prevent ongoing damage. Loreal Metal Detox is a pretreatment that is misted in the hair and removes all metal buildup from the environment, hard water, etc. This product removes excess buildup to ensure an even and beautiful canvas. After coloring the treatment is followed up with the metal detox mask to deep condition.

I have been told by many women with oily hair that they skip conditioner to prevent oiliness. or that "greasy," feel. The truth is oiliness is not caused by our conditioner or any product. Oiliness is simply caused by the over production of sebum (aka our natural oils.)  We have glands called sebaceous glands that product our sebum, and some people have very active oil glands. This means they wash a little more often than most. However, shampooing too frequently actually causes more oiliness. Shockingly it is true. The more you shampoo, the more your body is telling your sebaceous glands to produce more oils.  A simple hot tip for using conditioner for most hair types, is to only apply on the ends. Some people may feel they are oily, when the conditioner simply weighs down the roots, that's why applying on the ends is best. For more tips on washing oily hair refer to my blog "What Shampoo is Best for My Hair Type." 

Cutting your hair does not make it grow faster. Hair grows from our scalp, and cutting our ends has nothing to do with how our scalp works. Our scalp is consisted of follicles that cause our hair growth. Our follicles go through different phases of hair growth. These phases are anagen, catagen, and telogen. The hair growth cycle is determined by genetics, hormones, health, and age, and is not affected by the length of your hair. However, getting regular haircuts, approximately every 8-12 weeks, can help prevent split ends and keep your hair looking healthy.
 
Split ends can cause dryness, tangles, and breakage, which can make it difficult to achieve length. By getting regular haircuts, you can help keep your hair healthy and strong, allowing it to potentially grow longer over time. To learn more about healthy hair care, check out our blog on the subject. For more tips on healthy hair, look at my blog called How Do You Achieve Healthy Hair?