10 Myths About Hair

I am always amazed when I hear some of the advice given about hair. Some range from ridiculous, but are considered "common knowledge" because they've been passed down through so many generations, and spoken by so many people, that the plausibility of the statement is rarely questioned.

However, I'm tired of it! So... here's the top ten myths about hair, and why there are in no way beneficial to beautiful locks.

1. Stress causes hair to fall out.

This can be true-if you just suffered a catastrophic stress, such as divorce or death. The hair may fall out, but it will grow back. The average person loses about 100 strands (yep, 100!) per day from natural shedding.

If you're losing hair, the most likely cause is a deficiency (protein is the one I've run into the most), or a prescription you are taking. If you really do notice a severe loss of hair, then see a doctor.

Here's a tip: brush your hair before you take a shower. It will get rid of the hair that should have shed while you were sleeping, which will make the hair falling out during your prep time the "natural" amount of hair you'd lose in that time period. I lose so much hair everyday, and my hair is so long, it always feel like more than it actually is.

1. Don't pluck gray hairs-two while grow in place.

Did this idea come from cutting worms in half? A hair follicle produces one strand of hair-that's it! So once a gray strand of hair comes in, that strand of hair will always be gray (unless you dye it). If another does show up, then it was going to happen anyway.

We do not actually recommend plucking gray hairs, though, for a totally different reason: it causes scar damage to the hair follicle, so when hair does grow back, it will be weaker. Just dye it or live with it.

1. Cold water makes hair shinier.

I've always been told to rinse hair with cold water while washing out conditioner. They say it closes the hair follicle, but what they don't realize is that this is only a way to wake up in the morning! Your regular styling will moot this cold rinse.

In truth, if you want shinier hair, after your style it as per usual, use a cold-air blast from your blow dryer. That will lock in style and create more shine.

1. 100 Strokes a Day.

We've all heard this myth: 100 strokes for healthy, beautiful hair. This is so far from the truth it isn't even funny! Hair brushes can break hair, making it less healthy and shaggier than you intended (we hope, anyway).

After a shower, use a wide-tooth comb to get out knots. Blow dry. Then brush your hair. If you need to run a brush through it later, do it from the ends and work your way up (not against the strands, but making sure you don't get snagged on a knot).

1. Use a nickel-size amount of conditioner.

They always say to use a nickel-sized amount of conditioner on your hair. Truth is, you need more if you have longer hair. After applying conditioner, you should feel the softness of your hair (and don't apply it to your roots or else you'll get weighed down, flat look). My hair is incredibly long, and I use about a half-dollar amount per day. It keeps my hair soft; if I do not use this much, my hair feels dry. So, really, it's dependent upon your hair.

1. Products can repair split ends.

Now this is just silly. Hair is dead cells; when a split end occurs, the shaft of the hair is splitting up the middle. If not treated, it will climb up the hair strand and damage hair even worse. Products claim to "seal" these split ends, but come on.

Think of your nails: if one splits, what will fix it? Cutting it. You can apply some glue, but it's still broken, and will cause more damage! Just trim it regularly so that your hair stays healthy.

1. Dandruff is caused by dry scalp.

Dandruff actually comes from oily hair, not dry scalp! They are two different ailments! If you have oily hair, use an anti-dandruff shampoo to get it nice and clean; if you have dry scalp, see a doctor.

1. Hair products damage hair.

"Don't straighten your hair, or you'll damage it." "Don't dye it, or you'll dry it out."

Yadda yadda yadda. It's 2012, people. Hair products are developed towards women who style their hair-if they don't, then they won't sell! Products can actually make your hair healthier, or protect it, from further damage.

In fact, every time you dye your hair, you'll probably notice a softer, shinier texture. There are so many vitamins and other ingredients in dye that your hair will actually improve.

For hot styling methods (straightening), use a heat protector. Heat can fry hair, but companies are always creating new ways of protecting it.

1. "Lather, rinse, repeat."

We hear this so often it's gotten common place. You should not, I repeat, should not have to wash your hair twice to make your shampoo work. One shampooing will do the trick, unless you are feeling particularly grungy, but that means you didn't lather enough (or use a good enough shampoo) the first time.

There has only been one occasion where I was asked by a stylist to do this: when I got a Brazilian Blowout, the twice-shampoo was to open the hair follicles to the keratin product.

1. Want longer hair? Trim it!

Oh, I am so sick of this one. Your hair is not grass; it is not a worm; it is not living! Trimming the ends does not affect the roots, where hair grows, in the slightest!

Who the heck thought this myth up? I want to hurt them! The only benefit of a regular trim is to get rid of split ends and to keep your hair shape. Hair doesn't grow evenly around your head, so trimming keeps the ends at the same length, instead of one-sided.

For more info: How Long Does It Take for Hair to Lock