We've all believed in myths. Especially ones that concern to-do's and not-to-do's when it comes to taking care of our bodies.
As a woman, I like to pay attention to the ways I take care of my hair. I have to remember that the hairs on my head are living, breathing components of my body, and require consistent care.
There are so many myths, however, about haircare — some of them are very surprising. You'd think that using some "natural" products, like beer hops and honey, would perfect your shine. But that's not true.
Below, we debunk many of the most common myths about hair. Maybe you already are familiar with some of these, and maybe you know even more myths that aren't covered here.
Whatever the case, it's always good to see the truth concerning health matters.
What did you think of these long-held myths about hair? Let us know in the comments, and please SHARE!
1. Going outside with wet hair when it's cold can make you sick.
The truth is, colds and other illnesses are caused by airborne pathogens, like viruses and bacteria. Standing outside with wet hair will not make you sick.
2. Your hair will grow faster if it's trimmed frequently.
The way you cut your hair will not affect how fast it grows. Instead, the follicles in your scalp decide how fast your hair grows. Cutting hair frequently will, however, make it look longer and more lush, just because you end up eliminating split ends and breakage in the hair.
3. Gray hair is only caused by stress.
Gray hair primarily comes about when the melanocytes, which produce melanin (the pigment), "die out," resulting in a halted production of color. In the end, gray hair is controlled by genetics. (Even though stress could accelerate graying).
4. If you pluck a gray hair, two more will grow in its place.
Tweezing out one gray hair will not affect any other hair on your head. After plucking out one hair, each follicle can still reproduce a new hair. But plucking is altogether a risky idea — just like plucking eyebrows, too much plucking can lead to a bald patch, thinning, or scarring.
5. Rely on the sun to lighten your hair.
True — the sun will naturally bring your hair to a brighter hue. But it is under no circumstance the most ideal or healthy way to do so. The sun will burn your scalp, exactly like how it burns your skin when you've been under it for too long.
6. You can't dye your hair when you're pregnant.
The process of organogenesis (the period in which the baby's organs form) lasts about 10 weeks. So it's all right to dye your hair after the first trimester; there is very little that will get absorbed into the bloodstream. However, take note that older dyes that contain formaldehyde-based components can be dangerous.
7. Sleeping with your hair down will make it grow faster.
This is commonly recommended to those who experience thinning hair or hair loss, just to prevent additional damage or breakage at the root. If you do prefer to keep your hair up while you sleep, it's best to tie it in a loose ponytail.
8. You can close your hair cuticles and make it shinier with a cold water rinse.
Unlike what they say in the salons, blasting cold water over your hair won't do it much good. The amount that the cuticles open or close is not determined by temperature. In fact, water can actually cause hair follicles to "lift" — which may result in dull-looking hair — and procedures that involve physical or chemical damage (like perms and relaxers) can cause them to lift significantly.
9. If you have greasy hair, skip the conditioner.
Greasy hair is in no way caused by conditioner. It is caused by the overproduction of sebum from the tissues on your scalp. If you do happen to have greasy hair, try using a clarifying shampoo and apply the conditioner only to the ends of your hair.
10. Brushing your hair 100 times a day is important for its health.
You want to brush it just enough so that the natural oils are being distributed evenly throughout your hair. Over-brushing can create friction on hair, which can then lead to cuticle damage, breakage, and frizziness. Also, if you're experiencing thinning hair, brushing it will only add stress to the delicate follicles.
What did you think of these tips? Let us know in the comments, and please SHARE if you were as surprised by these false myths as I was!
