It’s easy to get caught , in a web of untrustworthy information, especially when it comes to beauty tips and hacks. With all the different information mediums that exist, such as magazines, social media platforms and word of mouth, it’s easy to see why. Being bombarded with all this information can leave you feeling confused. For example, with there being so many different common hair claims, how do you know which ones are true?
Much of what we know about hair care is from family members or friends. They may have different views on what products to use for achieving and maintaining healthy hair. To help you wade through all this information, here are some common hair myths, debunked. Are you ready to set the record straight together, guys?
Myth #1 – Trimming Your Hair Regularly Will Make it Grow Faster
Wrong. This common hair claim that regularly trimming your hair will cause it to grow faster is false. Regular trimming does not promote more rapid hair growth, but rather, healthier growth. Trimming helps to get rid of split ends which boosts the appearance of your hair. Celebrity hairstylist Matthew Collins believes that not trimming may contribute to split ends that travel further up your hair strands. As a result, this can cause an increased breakage of your strands, and slow down your hair growing-out process. Better schedule a trim in your to-do list then, pronto!
Myth #2 – You Have to Switch Up Your Use of Hair Products Every Few Months
Not necessarily. It is a given that companies, at times, may opt to change the ingredients or formulation of one of their products. Sometimes, you might notice a slight difference in a product’s packaging or branding style. This may be due to a product’s formula changing. For that reason, it is recommended that you compare the ingredients used in a newly bought product with an older version of the same product. If you realise that the newer one does not work the same way, this is most likely why!
However, the ineffectiveness of a product may not necessarily be due to a change in its formula or ingredients. Instead, a change in the environment, such as a change in the weather, can affect how your hair responds to products. Depending on where you live, you may require different products for different hair issues which include frizz and dry hair.
If you are using a product containing too much silicone, it is time to consider changing up your hair product. Although silicone gives your hair instant smoothness and shine, it also leaves a wax-like build-up on the hair shaft. Over time, this may make it seem like the product is no longer working for your hair. In the words of Mr Miyagi, “Wax on, wax off.”.
Myth #3 – Plucking a Grey or White Hair Will Cause More of Them to Grow
A big, fat NO. This common hair myth about grey or white hair is false. Plucking out a grey or white hair will only cause another grey or white hair to grow in its place. It’s a one to one ratio: one hair follicle to one hair strand. A hair strand turns grey or white when the pigment cells in the follicle surrounding it die.
Subsequently, a new hair growing in its place will also be grey or white as the pigment cells in that follicle no longer produce pigment. This new hair might, however, stick out like a sore thumb, as opposed to it resting on your head as it should. Don’t sweat the small stuff, guys. After all, YOLO. So embrace the ageing process gracefully.
Myth #4 – Daily Washing Will Damage Your Hair
Well, that depends. Frequent hair washing can cause damage if your hair does not produce optimal levels of sebum. Unless you have extremely fine, straight and oily hair, it’s not necessary to wash your hair daily. In fact, it is more important to find a combination of shampoo and conditioner that effectively hydrates your hair instead.
Pay close attention to how frequently you wash your hair if you use styling tools with high heat often. Heat styling tools can cause your hair to become extra dry. As such, you might try stretching your duration between washes for as long as possible. Alternatively, you can also opt to use dry shampoo, or choose heat tools that are designed to style at a lower temperature.
Myth #5 – Rinsing With Cold Water Will Add Shine to Your Hair
Yes, but not directly. A cold water rinse can contribute to the appearance of shinier hair in two ways. The first way is by closing your hair cuticles and the second is by maintaining the health of colour-treated hair. Closing of your hair cuticles can allow for your hair to become less frizzy, making it appear shinier. A cold water rinse that is combined with the use of a shampoo and conditioner for colour-treated hair can also help to delay the colour fading process, which in turn helps your hair to look shinier.
However, switching directly to a cold water rinse before you have properly and thoroughly rinsed out the shampoo and conditioner is an absolute no-no. This is because warm water is much more effective at rinsing out product residue from your hair. A cold water rinse performed at this stage could actually end becoming counter-productive, as leftover product residue can cause damage to your hair and make it appear duller. Guess too much of a good thing is not exactly a good thing, eh?
In retrospect, it is worthwhile to analyze hair care tips and to be wary of the common hair myths that you will receive. Not every piece of information is backed by proven evidence, and may actually do your hair more harm than good in the long run. Ultimately, you know your hair best, which is why you should identify what works best for you and focus on practicing those habits.
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