11 Hair Myths – Fact or Fiction?
If there’s one thing that we have learnt over the years at Lifestyle, it’s that there are plenty of myths surrounding hair and hair care. Whilst some of these hair myths have a sprinkling of truth in them, others are pure fantasy. Here we help you to separate the fact from the fiction…
1. Trimming your hair will make it grow faster – FICTION
Maybe this is a hair myth put out by hairdressers! In fact, your hair grows at the rate of around half an inch a month whether you cut it or not. It may grow a little faster in the summer but that is due to growth hormones, not the scissors. Having said that, keeping your hair trimmed regularly does prevent split ends from taking hold so it makes your hair look healthier and you’ll avoid having to have a big chop to remove damage.
2. Colouring your hair is really bad for it – FICTION
Most hair colours these days are extremely gentle and cause no damage whatsoever to the hair. Of course, you’re better off having your colour done in a salon by a professional who is experienced in choosing and applying the most appropriate colour.
3. Stress can make your hair fall out – FACT
On average, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day which are then replaced naturally. However, when we are extremely stressed the balance between hair loss and re-growth can get out of kilter, resulting in excessive hair loss. This will normally right itself soon enough, but if the symptoms persist it’s worth consulting your doctor.
4. You should brush your hair 100 strokes a day – FICTION
Over-brushing your hair can cause damage and split ends by weakening the hair follicle, so whilst it’s fine to brush your hair for styling we wouldn’t recommend brushing it excessively.
5. Brown hair grows faster than blonde hair – FICTION
The colour of your hair has nothing to do with the speed at which it grows. Blonde hair is finer than brunette or red hair and so is more prone to breakage and splitting. This may lead to the impression that it is growing more slowly, simply because you are having to trim more off to keep it in shape. Trim a little and often to avoid this.
6. You shouldn’t wash your hair every day – FACT
Washing your hair every day strips it of the essential oils it needs to keep it healthy. If you must wash it every day, just shampoo once and always use a conditioner.
7. Your hair gets thicker when you’re pregnant – FACT
You’re not actually growing more hair when you’re pregnant and the strands themselves aren’t getting any thicker – you’re just losing it more slowly than you normally do. Pregnancy hormones prolong the growth stage of your hair, resulting in less shedding of your hair and thicker locks. Things return to normal after the birth, so don’t worry when your hair starts to fall out in greater quantities than usual for a few weeks.
8. Pulling out grey hairs makes more grow back – FICTION
This myth has no truth, although we certainly wouldn’t recommend yanking out your grey hairs. It could damage the root or even cause an infection. Instead, embrace your grey with a stunning style, or have your roots coloured.
9. You can mend split ends with the right products – FICTION
Whilst there have been some amazing hair products developed over the years, no one has yet come up with one that will mend split ends. The only way to get rid of split ends is to have them cut off – better still, avoid them in the first place by having your hair trimmed regularly.
10. You shouldn’t brush wet hair – FACT
Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair and so is more prone to breakage or damage that can be caused by brushing. Always use a wide-toothed comb to detangle wet hair.
11. Exposure to the sun is the healthiest way to lighten your hair colour – FICTION
Our scalp is just another part of our skin, and like our skin, it can get damaged and burnt by the sun. What’s more, too much exposure to the sun will also dry out your hair, leaving it feeling brittle. These days in-salon hair lightening products are very safe and much gentler than they were in the past so if you want to go a shade lighter, make your salon your first stop.
and finally… Half an inch to you means two inches to a hairdresser –
THAT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GET YOUR HAIR CUT!
We’ve all been there – asked for half an inch to be taken off the ends and the hairdresser decides that what you really mean is two inches. To avoid this you really need to visit a Lifestyle hairdresser. All our stylists have been specially trained to really listen to their clients, so when you say half an inch, we will always double-check with you exactly how much you mean.
And finally here is a great place for advice on home care products from Kerastase
