Filed under: Hair Care, Hair Politics
MYTH #1: Twirling your hair will cause you to lose hair in that spot quicker.
THE REAL DEAL: According to the American Hair Loss Association, hair loss resulting from constant twirling is called trichotillomania. The constant tug weakens the follicles resulting in patchy hair loss and broken strands. However, if you can get a grip on your hair twirling habit before it's becomes a chronic compulsion, your hair will re-grow. If not, see a therapist ASAP to get to the root of the problem.
MYTH #2: Braids can cause the hairline to recede.
THE REAL DEAL: It's true! If we didn't learn anything from Brandy's braid-wearing days, let's set the record straight. Continuous hair pulling for extended periods of time can in fact lead to hair loss. It can cause damage to the roots that may or may not be reversible, and you might start to see your hairline recede like your dad's. Give your hair scalp a rest by alternating braided styles with loose ones every few weeks.
MYTH #3: Greasing your hair/scalp every night will keep it healthy.
THE REAL DEAL: The answer is two-fold. We all need keep our mane moisturized, and grease can provide that, but using products that are too heavy will actually do more bad than good. Steer clear of products that contain mineral oil and petroleum jelly; these actually clog pores, and greasy build-up prevents hair growth. Once a week, wash out buildup with a clarifying shampoo like hair rules Aloe Grapefruit Purifying Shampoo ($9.50-$20, hairrules.com)
MYTH #4: Dying hair will cause it to lose its texture and shine; you will also go grey faster.
THE REAL DEAL: Hair color affects everyone differently, but when dye is applied, no matter what your hair type, the hair cuticles are being striped so that the color sticks. "Color actually thins hair because it's stripping as it colors," says celebrity hair stylist Suzette Boozer of SuLon Hair Studio in Brooklyn, NY.
"Think of split ends - it's taking one layer off of the strand," she says. The texture is changing as we dye and if not moisturized properly after coloring, shine will disappear too. As for the grays, factors like genetics, smoking, and stress causes this, so unless you're stressing about your hue, the dye itself will not make you gray faster.
THE REAL DEAL: It's true! Sleeping on a satin pillowcase or with a satin scarf, especially if your hair breaks easily, will help prevent snags and friction that cotton causes. Constant rubbing wreaks havoc on hair cuticles, leaving it in a tangled mess come morning. Also, try wearing a satin scarf under winter hats to avoid hair breakage.
MYTH #6: Ripe avocado mashed and applied directly to hair will leave it manageable.
THE REAL DEAL: It's true! Get to smashing, because the Vitamin E in avocados conditions and moisturizes hair naturally. Many store-bought conditioners include avocado oils, so why not use it in its natural form?
THE REAL DEAL: This is a tricky one, but the quick answer is yes, dandruff shampoos can lead to a speedy relaxer grow-out. Dandruff shampoos work double duty to clear product buildup that can cause dandruff and to moisturize dry scalp, another cause of flakiness. The clarifying ingredient keeps pores clear, which promotes hair growth.
MYTH #8: Shaving makes hair tougher and thicker.
THE REAL DEAL: Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D. cleared things up: "Shaving hair doesn't change its thickness or color. The color, location, thickness and length of hair on your body mainly depend on genetics and hormones. After you shave body hair, it may feel coarse or 'stubbly' for a time as it grows out. During this phase, it may be more noticeable - and may appear darker or thicker, but it's not."
Can't deal with rough new growth? Waxing consistently will cause the hair to grow in finer and more sparse as time progresses. For an at-home job, try Sally Hansen Naturally Bare Waxing Strips for Body ($8.49, ulta.com), which has pre-waxed strips to avoid the usual hot-wax mess.
THE REAL DEAL: One reader says that while she wraps her hair in the same direction out of convenience (she's right-handed, so she wraps to the right), she's noticed that her strands are shorter on the right side. Just like sleeping on one side all the time can cause your hair to break on that side, wrapping in the same direction can put a lot of stress on those strands, causing it to thin or break and become lopsided.
To be extra careful, compare which side you regularly carry your bags/pocketbooks to which side of your hair has more broken ends. You may not even notice it, but your bag straps will pull strands out one by one over time, leaving one side of your hair to appear more damaged than the other. Switch shoulders from time to time, or at least sweep your hair to one side before hooking your bag over your arm.
MYTH #10: Trimming your hair regularly really makes it grow.
THE REAL DEAL: New York City salon owner John Barrett told Good Housekeeping Magazine that "hair grows a half-inch per month, whether you cut it or not." Regular trims won't make it grow faster, but split and choppy ends can cause breakage. So even if it's growing at the roots, you won't notice because the ends will constantly break. Keep those ends groomed!