1. Hair should be washed every day

FALSE: There is no correct schedule for washing hair. Every person should shampoo according to the specific needs of their hair type and texture. While some people do benefit from a daily shampoo, others benefit from a variety of shampooing schedules.

2. More lather = a more effective shampoo = cleaner hair

FALSE: Lathering agents are often added to shampoos, but more foam doesn't mean cleaner hair.

3. Hair develops immunity to the same shampoo over time

FALSE: There is no scientific evidence to prove this myth.

4. Brushing your hair is better than combing it

FALSE: Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage.

5. Split ends can be repaired without trimming

FALSE: The only successful treatment for removing split ends is with a scissors. Some hair care products may temporarily merge split ends together, but this only lasts until your next shampoo. Always remember that damaged ends tend to grow slower than healthy, well-maintained, trimmed hair.

6. Coloring hair during pregnancy is harmful

FALSE (PROBABLY): Some physicians disagree, but most believe that coloring the hair during pregnancy is not dangerous to the baby. When in doubt always get your physician’s permission to color your hair during pregnancy. Most experts believe that the key danger with hair coloring is not the application of the product to the scalp but the inhalation of the strong chemical odor.

7. Virgin root hair should be treated differently

TRUE: The hair that is closest to the roots reacts differently to the application of new hair color and chemical treatments. Hair color applied directly to the roots will process differently that color applied on hair that has already been treated.

8. Lemon juice will bleach hair blonde

FALSE: Some naturally light haired people may notice a slight lightening or brightening after prolonged sun exposure soaked in lemon juice, but most people wont not see any obvious change in their hair lightness or brightness.

9. A sunburnt scalp can lead to hair loss

TRUE: Severe sunburn or a series of burns that occur over time may damage delicate hair follicles at the root level. People with a genetic predisposition towards hair loss may accelerate the onset of hair loss activity. Avoid scalp burns by applying sun protection products to your scalp along with your hair.

10. For thick, shiny hair, eat a diet that's rich in iron and protein

FALSE: Iron deficiency can cause hair loss, but dermatologists say the reverse is not true: eating extra iron will not give you thick hair. In fact, overloading on iron can cause serious health problems (the correct amount for optimal health is about 15 milligrams a day for a woman). The same thing is true with protein. Dermatologists say protein-deficiency will cause lackluster skin and brittle hair. It's important to get enough protein, but eating more than normal won't make hair any shinier.

11. Wearing hats causes hair loss

FALSE: In order for the hair to fall out, the hat would have to be so tight that it cuts circulation to the follicles. Milliners can breathe a collective sigh of relief!

12. Hormones are not related to hair loss

TRUE: Although hormonal imbalance can cause temporary hair loss, as is common with women after pregnancy, the important thing to remember is that the hair will grow back.

13. Swimming pool chemicals can turn hair green

TRUE: Frequent swimmers with natural blonde or chemically highlighted hair that is extremely porous may experience the development of green tints and shades over time. This problem can be prevented with regular use of moisturizing shampoo and conditioners that provides a natural barrier to chlorine and related chemicals.

14. Hair grows faster on different parts of the head

TRUE: There is some scientific evidence that the growth rate of hair may vary on different parts of the head for select people. There is also some indication that the growth rate of hair on babies may be faster on the crown than on any other parts of the scalp. Usually the growth rate differences are very marginal and will not impact the hair appearance in any way.

15. Dry hair is damaged by too-frequent washing

FALSE: Hair is more likely to be damaged if it's left too long between washes. Not wahing can cause the scalp's natural oil to be blocked, and unable to lubricate the hair shaft. As a result, hair can become dry and brittle. Things that damage hair include bleaching, coloring, styling and brushing when wet.

16. To stop the frizzies, use shampoo only twice a month. The rest of the time, rinse daily with conditioner

FALSE: Oil becomes rancid when it stays on the surface of the scalp, so regular shampooing is required to keep hair and scalp clean and healthy. Avoid frizzies by conditioning after every shampoo and try a leave-in conditioner, too.

17. A rinse out conditioner does not provide benefits because it is rinsed out

FALSE: Rinse out conditioners applied to your hair after washing will leave a deposit of moisturizing proteins and other ingredients on the hair shaft giving hair that is softer, shinier and better conditioned.

18. Blow-drying hair can cause it to smoke

FALSE: This strange myth has circulated in different variations for many years. On the rare occasion that hair “smokes” it is due to the evaporation of condensation on the hair from styling gels or similar hair care products.

19. Brushing thinning hair makes it fall out faster

FALSE: Although, brushing can damage hair (see above), as long as you use a good brush, normal daily brushing will not accelerate the normal loss of hair from the scalp. If your hair is suffering from a hair loss condition like alopecia brushing will only cause you to lose hair that is already ready to fall. Excessive brushing is always discouraged under any circumstances.

20. Shaving a baby’s scalp will alter their natural hair texture

FALSE: The hair that a baby is born with may or may not be the hair that they grow up with. Shaving a baby’s head will not alter the texture of their ultimate hair nor will it cause their hair to grow faster or thicker.

21. Gray hair can only be covered with permanent color

FALSE: Depending on the percentage of gray hair that you have, you may be able to blend or cover the budding gray with a semi-permanent or demi-permanent blend that does not contain harsh chemicals.

22. Excessive use of hair products causes hair loss

FALSE: There are no known, (professionally produced) hair care products that cause hair loss. You may sculpt your locks with as much gel, mousse or spray as you desire. However, be careful of home-made remedies, or any product that you don’t know the contents of.

23. Hair care products advertised as natural are chemical-free

FALSE: Not all hair care products sold in health food establishments, etc are completely natural; some may contain chemicals like SLS. When in doubt read the label.

24. Eating Jell-O will make your hair grow faster

FALSE: According to dermatologists, there is no evidence that Jell-O will do anything for hair growth. Syncronized swimmers use Gelatin on their hair to protect against chlorine damage), but there's no evidence that it will stimulate growth.

25. Stress causes your hair to thin

FALSE: Everyday stress won't cause your hair to thin. The problem may be hormonal or nutritional in nature.

26. Steroids have no side effects on hair

FALSE: Bodybuilders beware! Anabolic steroids are very potent chemicals that have some treacherous side effects including acceleration of hair loss. The problem is that these side effects are usually delayed by several years.

27. Standing on your head cures hair loss

FALSE: Hair follicles need more than blood flow to grow hair. Standing on your head to increase blood flow to your scalp, may be great for your gymnastic skills, but will have no effect on your hair.

28. Split ends will travel

TRUE: Uncut split ends can travel up the hair shaft towards the roots. Hair that is not tended to, over time, may develop splits that migrate and split all or part of the entire hair. Some ends can actually tear multiple times so that your split ends have splits.

29. Hair will always remain the same texture

FALSE: Although you may be born with straight, curly or wavy locks, there are many circumstances under which your hair’s ultimate texture can be permanently altered. Pregnancy, medication, chemotherapy, age and other variables can cause your texture to be temporarily or permanently altered.

By Michael Barrows

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