When caring for your hair, you have no shortage of advice online and from friends. Everyone has an opinion that works for them, but will it work for you? So, as a hair and scalp spa, we will debunk the most common hair care myths to provide you with the best advice that works for you. One thing might work for one person and not the other.

Myth 1: You Do Not Need to Condition Oily Hair

Regarding hair care myths, some people say that you do not have to condition oily hair, as doing so makes it oilier. So, why does this myth continue?

Some clients at our hair wellness spa feel that conditioner makes their oily hair appear greasier. If you think the same way, you might be using the conditioner too close to your scalp or even using a formula not designed for your hair type.

The Truth: Oily hair results from the overproduction of natural (sebum) oil, not the hair itself. Conditioner nourishes and keeps hair hydrated, not the scalp. Skipping conditioning can lead to brittle, dry hair prone to breakage.

Our Advice: We recommend using an oil-free conditioner and applying it only to your mid-lengths and ends to keep the hair hydrated and not weigh it down to appear greasy. You can also use conditioners labeled clarifying or volumizing, as they have a lighter formula for oily hair.

Myth 2: Your Hair Grows Faster When You Cut It

Cutting your hair to make it grow faster is another hair care myth. Even our clients believe this myth as the hair looks fuller and healthier after a cut.

With haircuts, we remove the split ends that can make hair look thinner or damaged, creating the illusion that hair grows faster and healthier.

The Truth: Your hair first grows at the scalp at the hair follicle, and when you cut the ends, it does not affect the hair follicle. Your hair grows around ½ inch per month whether you cut it or not.

Our Advice: While cutting hair does not make it grow faster, regular cuts are still necessary to maintain its health. Visit us for a haircut every six to eight weeks to help remove split ends and prevent further damage.

Myth 3: You Must Wash Your Hair Every Day

Another hair care myth is that daily washing is essential for maintaining healthy hair. Various commercials for hair care products perpetuate this myth.

The Truth: When we provide scalp health treatment, we always do scalp and hair analyses; many clients believe this. When you wash your hair often, you strip the natural oils from your scalp that moisturize it. Your hair becomes damaged, and you can develop scalp issues like dandruff.

Our Advice: Depending on your hair and scalp condition, we recommend washing your hair two to three times a week. If you sweat and have oily hair, you must clean it often. However, if you have curly or dry hair, the best self-care hair treatment is to extend the time between washings.

Myth 4: You Must Brush Your Hair 100 Times

This is an old hair care myth. Women used to brush their hair to help the natural oils distribute from the scalp to the ends, leaving the hair looking shinier. However, excessive brushing is not needed with the products you get nowadays.

The Truth: Overbrushing your hair can cause more harm, leading to hair breakage, split ends, and scalp irritation. Furthermore, it does not stimulate hair growth.

Our Advice: Brush your hair only when you want to detangle or style it. Use a soft-bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb. To prevent damage, start from your ends and work your way up. Brush your hair before washing to reduce knots.

Myth 5: Heat Styling Damages Your Hair Forever

Are you afraid of using heat-styling tools because of this hair care myth? They can permanently damage your hair.

The Truth: While too much heat can cause hair breakage or dryness when done correctly, heat styling will not cause permanent damage.

Our Advice: You must use your heat-styling tools correctly. Before styling hair, we recommend investing in heat-protectant sprays or serums, which will create a barrier to reduce heat damage. Also, use your styling tools at a moderate temperature.

Myth 6: All Hair Products is The Same

Yes, this is another hair care myth. We often hear that all products work the same way. This is so wrong. You may pick your hair products based on the packaging or fragrance, whether the product meets your hair type and needs, or other factors.

The Truth: When we provide you with a luxury scalp treatment, haircut, or coloring, not every product has the same formulation. For instance, curly hair needs different care than straight or fine hair. Using the incorrect products on your hair can lead to buildup, excess oil production, and other scalp concerns.

Our Advice: We recommend you identify your specific needs and hair type before buying products. This will help you choose the right products for your hair texture and needs.

Myth 7: You Should Air Dry Your Hair it is Better

Yes, the saying that air drying your hair is better than blow drying is another common hair care myth, as you can avoid heat damage. This is still around because you feel natural methods are always better.

The Truth: Air drying vs. blow drying is better, but it is not always the best option for all hair types. Leaving your hair wet for a long time weakens the hair shaft and can lead to breakage, frizz, and split ends.

Our Advice: We recommend combining air and blow drying for the best hair health. You can leave your hair to air dry until around 80% before using your blow dryer on a low heat setting. This method minimizes heat and prevents your hair from being wet for too long.

Myth 8: A Dry Scalp Causes Dandruff

When our clients come for a treatment for dandruff, they believe it results from a dry scalp, so they use more moisturizing products, feeling they will solve the problem. Still, a flaky scalp is sometimes considered dry, as both have visible flakes.

The Truth: If you have dandruff, it is not the result of a dry scalp but of Malassezia, a yeast fungus that feeds on the oil on your scalp. Read our full article here on dandruff vs dry scalp.

Our Advice: If you think you have dandruff, you can visit us for a scalp analysis to determine whether it is a dry scalp or dandruff. We recommend using an anti-dandruff shampoo containing ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, or selenium sulfide for dandruff. Also, avoid using conditioners and oil on the scalp.

Myth 9: Hair Shedding is Something You Should Worry About

Hair shedding varies from one person to another and is not always something to worry about.

The Truth: Some people lose up to 100 hairs daily, while others lose more. You can experience seasonal hair shedding and more if you don’t shampoo for up to five days. Furthermore, if you have a flaky scalp, it can result in more hair loss in a day.

Our Advice: If you have a flaky scalp, we recommend investing in scalp exfoliating treatment and visiting a specialist if you notice more hair loss than usual. For example, you lose up to 300 hairs daily, and the shedding lasts longer.

Myth 10: To Color Your Hair is Not Good

Coloring your hair is terrible for your strands, which is another hair care myth.

The Truth: To some extent, it is true, but it depends on what dye you use. Some box dyes have chemicals like ammonia that can lift the hair cuticle to deposit the color.

Our Advice: If you plan on coloring your hair at home, we recommend using ammonia-free color dyes as they are kinder on the hair.

Myth 11: Rinsing Your Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar Makes it Shiny

These days, everyone recommends using apple cider vinegar for different hair needs, from making it shiny to treating the scalp.

The Truth: While ACV has excellent health benefits, including controlling dandruff, it remains an acid. Too much acid on the hair dries it out, so you must only use it on the scalp.

Our Advice: If you have naturally dry or damaged hair, avoid using ACV; the same applies to colored hair. Instead, use a sulfate-free cleanser to leave your hair shiny.

Wrap-Up: Hair Care Myths Debunked

Now that you know about these hair care myths and their truths, you can make a more informed decision concerning your hair care routine.

Proper hair and scalp care, using the right products, and understanding your needs can help you achieve healthy hair.

If you need advice or want the best hair care routine for healthy scalp and hair and are unsure where to begin, visit Haste Hair. Our professional team of stylists will help you achieve just that.

We provide professional scalp treatments, haircuts, different coloring techniques, and more.

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