Are You Kidding Me?: Hair Myths
I've heard a lot of dumb in my lifetime.
Like, a lot.
But nothing compares to the craziness I've heard in a salon chair. I mean, I've heard everything from at home treatments, to "tricks" to make you hair grow faster, and even up to old wives tales from the middle ages.
It's pretty much a bunch of BS- sorry to break your heart.
BUT, let's talk about some popular myths and get into the real facts:
"Trimming my hair often and consistently will help it grow faster"
...*insert epic eye roll*
What does anything you do to the bottom of your hair shaft have to do with what's happening at the root?
Nothing, a big fat sack of nothing.
Here's the truth: Getting regular trims is great for your hair because you're eliminating problems that would INHIBIT your hair's healthy growth. You're cutting off split ends that could run all the way up your hair strand, you're taking out dead weight so there's less stress at the root, and getting your hair shampooed and massaged increases circulation at the scalp and promotes a healthy hair strand.
Not to mention, your hair always looks better with a little trim. So remember, get a trim every 4-6 weeks to maintain the style you like, otherwise try going every 6-8 weeks to keep your healthy hair but allowing it to grow out to the length you want.
"You should wash your hair everyday/I skip conditioner because my hair gets greasy"
*face-palm*
Want to know how often I wash my hair?
It will disgust you.
2-3 times a week. Usually every 3 days unless I did a hardcore workout and built up a sweat.
AND MY HAIR HAS NEVER BEEN DRYER.
Here's the thing people don't understand about skin. The more you cleanse and scratch and wipe and blot- you're pulling natural oils from your face and scalp- which triggers an alarm to your body, and you end up producing more oil to counteract the oil's you're pulling out.
IE, if you wash your hair every day, your scalp will end up overproducing oil and you'll find by the end of the day- you're an oil slick again. (Same with your face dummies.)
And skipping conditioner means you stripped the oils and then put nothing back into the hair. You're going to create dryness at the ends and grease at the scalp.
Here's the truth: Step away from the shampoo. Take a break. You can switch to using the "conditioner method" where you only use conditioner and instead massage your scalp in the shower for a few minutes to release debris.
Personally, I'm not a fan of that. Instead I just started washing less. I would shampoo every other day and then once my hair adjusted, I added in another day for measure. Yes, your hair will look horrid for a couple weeks as it adjusts- but you'll see, it'll start to create less oil. Shampooing every single day is harsh (remember it's like a detergent) and on top of that- if you color your hair, you can literally watch the $100 color you had put in do right down the drain.
TAKE A BREAK FROM THE SHAMPOO, GUYS.
Also, there is a reason conditioner exists. It's meant to seal down the cuticle of your hair so you don't end up with static, dryness, fly-aways, and it helps to lock in your hair color.
"I can't keep using the same shampoo- my hair gets used to it and it stops working"
...*blink blink*
I don't even... what, like your hair suddenly has it's own brain now?
Here's the truth: A shampoo and conditioner can only do what it says on the label. Clarifying shampoos clarify. Volumizing shampoos give volume. PH balancing shampoos balance your pH. So your hair isn't getting "used" to something- it's because you're only solving one problem and not the other problems you have with your hair.
My hair, example- is curly, dry, and I don't have natural volume at the crown. I use a hydrating shampoo/conditioner most of the time, and then a clairfying shampoo once in awhile to remove the keratin buildup. If I only used the hydrating shampoo, I'd be stuck with limp, borderline greasy hair. Hair doesn't get "used" to something- it gets "coated" with something.
Especially if you're using anything with keratin in it. Let me explain that one real quick too:
Keratin is great, it promotes strength in the hair strand. HOWEVER, by coating it with something strengthening over and over again, it creates a stick board straight strand that will eventually start to snap because it's lost it's flexibility. (Keratin users will know because they'll see excess "shedding".)
Mix up your shampoos. I bet your old favorite that "stopped working" will work fine now.
"You can combat dandruff with vinegar and dryness with olive oil and mayo"
TRUTH, ACTUALLY.
Surprised?
Here's the truth: Pouring/spraying apple cider vinegar on your scalp and leaving it on overnight gives dandruff a huge hit. It's rich in mallic acid, helps kill bacteria and fungus, opens clogged pores, and actually helps the dandruff itch.
How I do it: dip a cotton ball in vinegar and dab it all over your scalp. (You can also pour the vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it, this works great too. Pouring it causes too much product waste.) Then kind of massage it in a little and wrap your hair in a bun. (I wrap it in a towel to cut down the vinegar smell.)
LEAVE IT ON OVERNIGHT. (Or at least a couple hours. If you only do it a couple hours though, you'll probably have to do it again the next day, and maybe even a 3rd time).
As for mayo and olive oil- yes it works, but no better than a hair mask or a thick conditioner.
Use Aussie 3 Minute Miracle for the same effect with a better smell and it's actually cheaper than mayo. (I've seen it between $3-4 bucks.)
"Cold water rinses help my color from coming out/cold water makes my hair shinier"
There's a lot of debate on this on, especially with hairstylists.
Here's the truth: The rationale is that cold water smooths down the cuticle to lock in color and make the appearance of hair shinier because it lays flat. The real truth is- hair doesn't contain living cells and therefore doesn't react to hot or cold.
So if you want hair that is shinier and holds color- use conditioners that are slightly acidic on the pH scale to lay down the cuticle of your hair.
*Note: HOT water is a bit of a problem though because it can cause damage to strands, so keep that in mind- but there's no reason to freeze yourself in the shower.
"Stress leads to grey hair"
Nope, not even close.
Here's the truth: Grey hair is based on genetic influence. Both your parents grey by 30? It'll probably happen to you.
And lastly:
"Men prefer long hair, so I keep mine long"
This is a truth, actually.
Through various studies, it was concluded that men were more attracted to women who had hair past the shoulders, and when showed the same women with short hair- they were deemed less attractive.
The unfortunate thing is that women put a lot of stock into their looks when they know a man is attracted to them and on top of that, women tend to value themselves at what others value them at.
Here's the truth: How your wear your hair depends on how you like it. Do you feel sexy and powerful with short hair? Then rock short hair. Men are always attracted to a woman's confidence first and foremost. If you have a pixie cut and feel amazing in it, I'm pretty damn sure a guy will still go for it. There's no overall rule that says "men only like long hair" because with anything- there is no absolute.
Case in point- Roger loved when I hacked my hair off. He consistently references that particular haircut in fact when I ask his opinion.
So put down your shampoo, give vinegar a chance, and for the love of God- stop skipping your haircut appointments,
-SamanthaK
