More Care Hair Myths - the Truth and the Lies

We all have a favourite myth about hair care – some of them areas old as the hills! In this second in a series of 3 articles,we examine some of the most widely known myths - and seek outthe reality…1. Dry hair is damaged by too-frequent washingFALSE: Hair is more likely to be damaged if it's left too longbetween washes. Not washing can cause the scalp's natural oil tobe blocked, and unable to lubricate the hair shaft. As a result,hair can become dry and brittle. Things that damage hair includebleaching, coloring, styling and brushing when wet.2. To stop the frizzies, use shampoo only twice a month. Therest of the time, rinse daily with conditionerFALSE: Oil becomes rancid when it stays on the surface of thescalp, so regular shampooing is required to keep hair and scalpclean and healthy. Avoid frizzies by conditioning after everyshampoo and try a leave-in conditioner, too.3. A rinse out conditioner does not provide benefits because itis rinsed outFALSE: Rinse out conditioners applied to your hair after washingwill leave a deposit of moisturizing proteins and otheringredients on the hair shaft giving hair that is softer,shinier and better conditioned.4. Blow-drying hair can cause it to smokeFALSE: This strange myth has circulated in different variationsfor many years. On the rare occasion that hair “smokes” it isdue to the evaporation of condensation on the hair from stylinggels or similar hair care products.5. Brushing thinning hair makes it fall out fasterFALSE: Although, brushing can damage hair (see above), as longas you use a good brush, normal daily brushing will notaccelerate the normal loss of hair from the scalp. If your hairis suffering from a hair loss condition like alopecia brushingwill only cause you to lose hair that is already ready to fall.Excessive brushing is always discouraged under any circumstances.6. Shaving a baby’s scalp will alter their natural hair textureFALSE: The hair that a baby is born with may or may not be thehair that they grow up with. Shaving a baby’s head will notalter the texture of their ultimate hair nor will it cause theirhair to grow faster or thicker.7. Gray hair can only be covered with permanent colorFALSE: Depending on the percentage of gray hair that you have,you may be able to blend or cover the budding gray with asemi-permanent or demi-permanent blend that does not containharsh chemicals.8. Excessive use of hair products causes hair lossFALSE: There are no known, (professionally produced) hair careproducts that cause hair loss. You may sculpt your locks with asmuch gel, mousse or spray as you desire. However, be careful ofhome-made remedies, or any product that you don’t know thecontents of.9. Hair care products advertised as natural are chemical-freeFALSE: Not all hair care products sold in health foodestablishments, etc are completely natural; some may containchemicals like SLS. When in doubt read the label.10. Eating Jell-O will make your hair grow fasterFALSE: According to dermatologists, there is no evidence thatJell-O will do anything for hair growth. Syncronized swimmersuse Gelatin on their hair to protect against chlorine damage),but there's no evidence that it will stimulate growth.11. Stress causes your hair to thinFALSE: Everyday stress won't cause your hair to thin. Theproblem may be hormonal or nutritional in nature.12. Steroids have no side effects on hairFALSE: Bodybuilders beware! Anabolic steroids are very potentchemicals that have some treacherous side effects includingacceleration of hair loss. The problem is that these sideeffects are usually delayed by several years.13. Standing on your head cures hair lossFALSE: Hair follicles need more than blood flow to grow hair.Standing on your head to increase blood flow to your scalp, maybe great for your gymnastic skills, but will have no effect onyour hair.14. Split ends will travelTRUE: Uncut split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards theroots. Hair that is not tended to, over time, may develop splitsthat migrate and split all or part of the entire hair. Some endscan actually tear multiple times so that your split ends havesplits.15. Hair will always remain the same textureFALSE: Although you may be born with straight, curly or wavylocks, there are many circumstances under which your hair’sultimate texture can be permanently altered. Pregnancy,medication, chemotherapy, age and other variables can cause yourtexture to be temporarily or permanently altered.SUMMARYHeard another myth about hair? Do your research – ask an expert!This doesn’t include your grandmother, best friend or localbarmaid. Instead, talk to an experienced hairdresser or atrichologist. Always get the real facts before you act on anyhair myths – you owe it to your hair.Michael Barrows(With thanks to Daniel Mcullough and Karen M. Shelton)