Facts and Myths about Hair Care

Myth: Wearing hats can cause hair fall or baldness.

Truth: The reasoning behind this myth is that hats because of their closed nature, cuts off vital air for the hair follicles causing them to die prematurely and leaving a bald scalp. In reality, oxygen which is required by the hair follicles is not imbibed from the external atmosphere but from the human bloodstream.

Myth: Hair loss can only happen to old people.

Truth: Hair loss can happen to anyone, young or old. The most common type of hair loss is male and female pattern baldness which affects 80% of men and approximately 40% of women. It is genetic and progressive in nature and can begin as early puberty. Other types of hair loss such as alopecia areata, traction alopecia and trichotillomania are often seen in women and children.

Myth: Hair loss in inherited from the mother’s side of the family.

Truth: This myth pins the blame for androgenetic alopecia on mothers, however in reality it is a hereditary condition in which the gene can be carried from both sides of the family. The tendency of hair loss can come from either side of the family and can even skip generations.

Myth: A hundred strokes of brushing everyday make your hair healthy and strong.

Truth: Though brushing stimulates the hair follicle and the scalp but excessive brushing daily can do great damage. Excessive brushing can wear out and weaken the hair strands causing hair fall. Brush according to the requirement of detangling your hair and styling it. There is no magic in numbers here!

Myth: Daily hair wash damages your hair.

Truth: This is only true if you are using inferior quality of hair products. Every person should shampoo according to the specific needs of their hair type and texture. Oily hair types can very well do with everyday washing while dry hair types may wash every alternate day. Use hair products with gentle cleaning formulas and moisturizing properties.

Myth: If you were bald when you were a baby, you will experience hair loss as an adult.

Truth: The presence of hair or no hair when you are born has nothing to do with how much hair you will have as an adult.

Myth: Cutting your hair will make it grow faster and stronger.

Truth: Cutting your hair only removes split ends and hair which has slightly thinned as it has grown out. Cutting hair neither speeds up the hair growth process nor makes them stronger.

Myth: Conditioners are not necessary as shampooing in itself is enough.

Truth: Shampoo only contains ingredients to clean your hair while conditioner moisturizes them. Moisturizing is essential to keep the hair healthy. You can also opt for a conditioner based shampoo which is as effective.

Myth: Good lather is a sign of effective shampoo which leads to cleaner hair.

Truth: Lathering agents are added to shampoos for special effects and is no way an indicator for the effectiveness of shampoo. More foam does not mean squeaky clean hair.

Myth: Hair develops immunity to the same shampoo over time.

Truth: There is no medical or scientific proof to support this myth.

Myth: Split ends can be treated without trimming.

Truth: The only successful method for removing split ends is cutting them. Some hair care products temporarily merge split ends together until the next wash. Split ends make the hair grow slower than healthy and trimmed hair.

Find more articles on Hair Care Basics