21 Hair Myths and Facts
Hair is very important for appearance. Healthy looking hair adds to the beauty of the person. Many people are now aware of the importance of the hair and are taking care of the hair by following many tips and spending on hair care products. There are few myths about hair and these should be clarified so that taking care of the hair becomes easier.
Common Hair Myths
Myth: Hair always retains the hair texture
False: Different persons are born with different hair textures. There are different hair textures such as smooth, wavy or straight. There are many factors that change the texture of the hair. Pregnancy, few types of drugs and treatments for some diseases can make the hair texture change over time.
Myth: Stress causes Hair fall
True: Stress increases hair fall. It is common that people lose 50 – 80 hair strands per day. If the number is increased, it can be considered a serious hair fall problems. There are many factors that cause stress and induce hair fall.
Myth: Hair Grows faster in some parts of the head
True: There are scientific evidences that hair growth is different on different parts of head. The growth rate varies from person to person.
Myth: Sleeping with Wet Head leads to fungal infection in head
False: Sleeping with wet head does not cause fungal infection in scalp. The presence of infected sources is required for the fungus to develop in the head.
Hair Damage Myths
Myth: Coloring or Dyeing can damage the hair
True: Until a few years back, it was true that coloring or dyeing the hair caused damage to it as the chemical in it were very strong. But now-a-days, these products do not contain harmful chemicals. It is necessary to choose products from reliable companies and follow the instructions mentioned in it.
Myth: Sun Rays damage the hair
True: It is true that sun damages hair. The ultra violet rays in hair bleach the hair pigment and makes the hair lighter. The protein in the hair is also lost and the hair is dried. It is thus necessary to cover the hair with cap or protect the hair by avoiding direct sun light with the help of umbrella etc.
Hair – Water Myths
Myth: Chlorine in water damages hair
True: Chlorine makes the hair rough. The longer hair is exposed to chlorine, the more the damage. The damage also depends on the type of chlorine. Thus it is necessary to rinse the hair in clean water when the hair is exposed to chlorine.
Myth: Swimming pool water not good for hair
True: The chemicals in the swimming pool water may damage the hair. It is thus necessary to wash the hair with fresh water immediately after coming out of the pool. Covering the hair while swimming is also advisable.
Myth: Rinse hair in cold water for Shiny Hair
False: It is not true that hair reacts differently for cold and hot water since hair has no life. It is believed that after a hot water hair wash, the hair should be rinsed in ice cold water so that the cuticle of the hair closes and prevents hair fall. But according to hair experts, hair has no life and it does not respond differently for cold or hot. They advise to avoid straightening, perming, very hot water and dyeing to minimize damage to the hair.
Gray Hair Myths
Myth: Gray Hair is caused by Smoking
True: smoking causes gray hair. According to some studies, smokers have four times more chances of having gray hair than people who do not smoke.
Myth: Graying of hair process can be reversed
False: Though there are some methods for reversing gray hair like drinking carrot juice, no scientific proof is there for these methods. Gray hair can be covered with semi permanent blend that does not contain chemicals.
Hair Care Products Myths
Myth: Hair care products cause Hair loss
False: this is one of the many hair myths. Hair fall and hair thinning are not only caused by hair care products but due to many reasons. Few of the reasons are age, family back ground etc. Choosing the wrong shampoo or conditioner may make the hair look thin. But it is a wrong notion that hair care products cause hair loss.
Myth: No cosmetic products increase the growth rate of hair
True: it is true that there are no hair care cosmetic products that stimulate hair growth. The speed of hair growth depends mainly on the genetic factors and varies from persons to person. Though there are some medicines that promote hair growth, there is no scientific proof that cosmetics stimulate hair growth.
Hair – Trimming Myths
Myth: Trimming the hair helps for the growth of hair
False: Trimming the hair does not help it grow fast but may make it look healthy. There is a belief that trimming the hair helps for the fast growth of hair. The reality is trimming the ends of the hair does not really help for the hair growth. Hair follicles determine the growth rate of the hair. Hair does not grow more than a quarter inch in a month. Hair trimming however makes the hair look healthy. Split ends make the hair look dull and thin at the ends. Hair experts advise to trim the hair for three to four months to avoid split ends.
Myth: There is no need to trim split ends to repair them
False: Split ends can only be removed by cutting them. Though there are few hair care products that bind the split end together temporarily, these are not permanent solutions. Split ends slower the growth of hair and so these should be trimmed for good hair growth.
Hair - Shampoo Myths
Myth: Shampoo or Conditioner should be changed frequently
False: It is not necessary that shampoo or conditioner should be changed for the health of the hair. People since a long time believed that shampoo should be changed often. It is believed that if a shampoo is used for a long time, it will stop showing its effect on the hair. Shampoo and conditioner need not be changed very often as hair do not get used to any product. There are many reasons for the shampoo to show its effect on the hair. It can be because of the weather, change in hairstyle or the residue of hair care products on hair strands. There is no need to change the shampoo frequently.
Myth: Hair should not washed daily
False: There is nothing wrong in washing the hair daily with shampoo. The shampoo that is used for washing should be chosen carefully. There is nothing wrong in washing the hair regularly. But the shampoos that are used for washing should be selected carefully. The fact is, shampooing the hair regularly makes the hair manageable and reduces breakage. People believe that shampooing the hair less often will reduce oil production on head. But sebaceous glands are not affected by any shampoo. The amount of oil produced depends on genetic and hormone factors. The dirt that is accumulated on the scalp can cause irritation of inflammation in the hair. Though every person can decide whether they want to wash their hair daily, it is always good to remove the dirt on the head. Moisturizing shampoos can be used for washing the hair daily.
Myth: Applying conditioner is important after shampooing the hair
True: Using a conditioner definitely is good for hair. It makes the hair manageable and avoids breakage of hair. Though it is good for the hair to use conditioner after washing the hair with shampoo, it can depend on the type of hair. Persons with dry and damaged hair get maximum benefit with the usage of conditioners. The conditioners smooth the cuticles and make the hair look healthy. Protein based and moisturizing conditioners are available and these should be chosen depending on the type of hair.
Myth: Oily hair does not need conditioner
False: Oily scalp may not require any conditioner but the ends of hair needs conditioner. Scalp produces oil and makes the hair also greasy. People with this type of hair may not need any conditioner on their scalp but their hair ends still need conditioner. It is thus always better to apply conditioner to the ends. If one finds the conditioner too heavy, they can go for light conditioners that are specially made for oily hair.
Hair - Brushing Myths
Myth: Brushing the hair keeps the hair healthy
False: Frequent brushing does not improve the health of the hair but may lead to breakage of hair. There is a myth among people that brushing the hair at least 100 times a day will help for the healthy growth of hair. It is believed brushing will help the natural oils in the head to spread and make the hair shine. It is also believed that brushing stimulates the blood circulation and helps hair growth. The fact is brushing the hair rigorously leads to breakage of hair and cuticle damage that leaves the hair without shine. Combs should be selected carefully. Wide-toothed comb with round bristles are good for the hair.
Myth: Brush when the hair is wet
False: Brushing the wet hair is not always good, especially when the brushing is done with bristle brush. Brushes with wide bristles are however acceptable. Wet hair is more prone to getting damaged. Wet hair when brushed breaks off due to the force applied. Wide toothed brushes should be used to detangle the wet hair.
