Contrary to popular belief, 100 strokes a day won't keep your tresses in tip-top shape.
Ahead, the most common hair myths, as perpetuated by every magazine you've ever read while waiting at your hairdressers. The truth is out there. And your locks will be all the better for it.
Myth 1: A cold rinse makes your hair shinier
Whoever started this one must be some kind of sadist. Though we've the long-held belief that a blast of icy cold water at the end of your shower works to 'lock in the cuticle', therefore causing your hair to lie flatter and reflect more light for maximum shine, turns out it's baloney. The difference between rinsing with cold and warm water is negligible, as your hair consists of dead cells that don't react to changes in temperature. Trichologist Anabel Kingsley further adds, "[R]insing with cold water can constrict the blood capillaries in your scalp. As these capillaries carry vital nutrients to the hair follicles, in theory, it may actually be harmful to hair growth." Try GHD Final Shine Spray if you want to restore lock lustre.
Myth 2: Haircuts make your hair grow faster
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The average strand grows about half an inch a month and no amount of trimming can change that. The only time hair has been proven to grow faster is during pregnancy, thanks to the smorgasbord of hormones your body serves up. That's not to deter you from getting regular trims – say, a quarter of an inch every two months or so. This keeps your hair from splitting and fraying, helping your style maintain its shape.
Myth 3: Grey hairs are caused by stress
Well, no. Grey hairs are caused by a list of predetermined factors, mostly genetic. "The age at which our first gray appears is genetically controlled and inherited," says Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips, wordsmith behind Beauty Myths. If you're predisposed to greys, then the stress may exacerbate the situation, leading to premature depigmentation, but it's certainly not the key influencer.
Myth 4: You should wash your hair as little as possible
Over-washing is probably the worst thing you can do, as it strips your hair of its natural oils and proteins, drying it out and making it reliant on products. That said, washing it too infrequently is also bad. The massaging action stimulates your scalp, boosting blood flow and ensuring the nutrients make their way to the follicles, preventing hair loss and thinning as you age. Aim for around three times a week.
Myth 5: Your hair doesn't need sun protection
Well, yes and no. Your hair isn't made of living cells, so it can't be damaged by the sun like your skin can. However, overexposure can make it weak and dehydrated due to the lack of oxidation and moisture. Things such as Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil and Sachajuan Hair In The Sun are of particular interest to those who swim regularly and dye their hair (to protect it from brassiness).
Myth 6: If you pluck a grey hair, three will grow back in its place
This is completely untrue. You can't change the number of follicles you have and plucking the bastard won't cause the surrounding hairs to turn grey either. The only thing is, ripping a hair from its root causes trauma to the area, possibly leading to bald patches, or prompts regrowth that refuses to lie flat. For the best upkeep, see a good colourist instead.
Myth 7: Brushing your hair 100 times a day will make it shiny
Marcia Brady was wrong. Hair tends to break if you tug it too much, so limit it to a few brushstrokes here and there. This works to redistribute the natural oils from your scalp to down the shaft of the strand, flattening the cuticles to make them reflect more light. Gentle brushing with a natural all-boar brush also stimulates blood flow to the scalp, keeping your follicles well nourished.
Myth 8: Sleeping with wet hair will make you sick
Was there any truth to mother's warning that sleeping with wet hair would cause you to catch a cold/get a headache/grow fungus on your head/insert other health scare? As it turns out, there's no medical evidence to suggest so. Colds are caused by viruses, not by wet hair; scalp infections and fungal diseases require contact with a contaminated source; and there's no science linking sinus headaches with a damp head of hair.
Myth 9: Washing your hair with beer will make it softer
As the thinking goes, the malt and yeast in your Guinness stout is supposed to react well with the hair proteins, keeping it strong, shiny and bouncy. Unfortunately, the cons outweigh the pros. Alcohol dries out your hair more than the proteins repairing it. The only alcohol you can justify exposing your hair to is in fact perfume. (Hair carries it better than your pulse points! And it's such a nominal amount that it won't cause damage, and you won't end up smelling like a bar floor.)
Myth 10: Shampoo first, conditioner second
This isn't always the case. A growing number of brands are promoting ranges that require you do the opposite. "Conditioning before you shampoo is great for adding nourishment to fine hair without weighing it down," says Nina Dimachki, artistic director for Kératase. Dimachki claims it promotes a longer lasting blow-dry and primes the hair for cleansing, allowing a more even distribution of shampoo.
Source: 10 hair myths you should stop believing
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