No matter where you are, from Barcelona to Baltimore, you’ve likely heard some sort of haircare myth over the course of your life. Should I do this? Can I do that? Knowing exactly how to manage our hair is difficult enough as it is, but when there are myths that are far from true, it only makes things harder!
Here, we’ll put on our sleuthing hats and work hard to debunk some of the most popular hair myths.
Your hairs grows faster if it’s cut more often
While cutting your hair removes the split ends that can cause breakage, cutting hair is more about making it healthier than about growth. Hair grows at the scalp, so cutting the ends doesn’t change the speed of growth. Still, it’s necessary to get a haircut every six to eight weeks to have great hair.
You must wash your hair every two days
There is a never-ending debate over how often you should wash your hair: some think every day, others every two days, and many believe once a week is fine. The real answer? It depends on your hair. If you have a particularly oily scalp, then once a day is okay, but if your hair is quite dry and thin already, then once every 1-2 days would be harmful. This is because our scalp naturally produces oil to keep it hydrated and shiny, but if you remove the oil so often, your hair will become far more brittle and dry. If your hair feels flat and greasy, wash it, otherwise give it a few more days. Thin hair often needs more care, so learn how to keep it looking healthy and strong.
More brushing = healthier hair
Running a comb or brush through your hair once a day is completely fine, but excessive brushing can actually damage your hair’s cuticle (the protective outer layer). Simply brush enough that you remove knots and tangles, especially in the morning, but don’t overdo it. On a similar note, it’s better to comb your hair from bottom to top, not the other way around, as this will put less stress on your strands.
You need to vigorously towel-dry hair
As we’re often in a rush in the morning, we might think that the quickest way to dry our hair is to grab a towel and start rubbing our heads forcefully. Unfortunately, the towel’s fibers can cause breakage to your hair if you’re too rough. Pat gently with a towel to remove most of the water, and if you need to leave the house quickly, blow-dry on a low heat setting to ensure your hair doesn’t become frizzy or damaged. Better yet, use a diffuser to make sure your hair stays healthy. There are also other natural ways to fight against frizzy hair.
Red hair dye fades faster than other colors
Unfortunately for those who don’t have natural red hair, this is true and doesn’t need debunking. The molecules for red hair dyes are actually bigger than others, which means the color doesn’t exactly “fit” or permeate the hair strands so well. Therefore, red hair dye will wash out faster than many other colors. This can be avoided by washing less frequently or by using special shampoos and conditioners designed for colored hair.
You should wash your hair right before dyeing
False. Your hair’s natural oils will protect your scalp from irritants and chemicals found in the dye, so it’s better to wash your hair and not use any products (mousse, hair spray, oils, etc.) at least two days before dyeing.
