There are lots of myths about hair that circle the globe. Following are the most common and oldest myths about hair.
1. Cutting your hair makes it stronger or grows faster.
False. Exactly where this myth started is unknown, but is probably related to the observation of men's facial hair. There are different kinds of hair on your face and head. Hair on your head and facial hair have different properties. Cutting your hair will only make it shorter and hairs grow almost exactly half an inch per month, no matter what you do or take.
2. Hair gets used to a product.
False. But there are other reasons you may need to change your shampoo, conditioner, or styling products--such as pregnancy, a change in seasons, or getting a new cut or color.
3. Shaving will make my beard grow thicker or faster.
False. Hair is basically protein and keratin and has no blood supply or nervous system. Your body does not know that your beard is shaved (or two inches long for that matter) because it has no way of communicating this information to your body. People often believe that shaving causes the beard to grow faster or thicker, but facial hair typically grows thicker and faster as you age so it's only a coincidence.
4. Shampooing Daily Dries the Hair
Some women believe that shampooing every day dries the hair out. This is not true. What could dry the hair out would be the shampoo that is being used, so it is important to choose a shampoo that is suitable for the hair type either for oily hair, dry hair or normal/combination hair. Oily hair needs to be washed everyday to get the excess oil out. However, dry hair need not be given the same treatment. Washing the hair with lukewarm water and then applying a moisturizing conditioner is enough. If daily washing of dry hair is necessary, it is important to use a mild shampoo that is made specifically for dry hair.
5. Brushing your hair is good
Brushing your hair should be avoided at all costs. If you must brush your hair, use natural bristled-brushes, flip your hair in front of your face and brush from the nape of your neck to the ends. Don’t ever brush your hair when it’s wet. You’re better off using your fingers to detangle your hair. Brushing your hair causes breaking and split ends. And you cannot repair split ends.
6. You need lots of shampoo to thoroughly clean your hair.
Too much shampoo can actually be bad for your hair. It can severely dry out your scalp. Remember, you just want to rid your hair of dirt and oil, not strip away all of your natural oils. You should only need about a dime size amount.
7. Tight hats cause baldness.
This one probably started in the military where young men entering the service were required to wear hats and soon showed signs of going bald, or at least of hair thinning. This is due to coincidental timing. The age that young men enter the military is also the same age that male pattern hair loss begins. This is due to dihydrotestosterone, not hats. Hats do cause hair breakage and to a lesser degree to split ends.
8. Smoking Causes Gray Hair
True. According to J. G. Mosley of the Leigh Infirmary in Lancashire, England in an article in Science News (January 11, 1997) smokers are four times more likely to have gray hair than nonsmokers. Even worse, smoking has been conclusively linked to accelerated hair loss.
9. Coloring your hair causes major damage.
Products today -- both at home and in the salon -- are gentle enough not to weaken hair. In fact, some contain extra conditioners that may leave hair more manageable than before. Although it's not necessary, it doesn’t hurt to consult a professional stylist the first time you do anything permanent to your hair or scalp.
10. Baldness comes from your maternal grandfather.
False. It's genetic--period--and can come from either your mother or your father, says Arlington dermatologist Michelle Rivera. Genetics also determines whether it's male or female pattern hair loss.
11. Dandruff is caused by dry scalp
Dandruff is caused by the shedding of dead skin cells and is actually most prevalent in areas of the head where grease glands are not only widespread, but most active.
