We've all seen a million DIY hair tips and tricks on Pinterest, in magazines or heard them from friends, but the truth is...not all of them are actually good for your hair. So lets dive into a few of the most common myths...
Myth 1: Brush 100 strokes a day for healthy hair.
Truth: Brushing is a form of friction that, if done to excess — as in 100 strokes — will damage all hair, but especially thin, weak and fragile locks. However, there's some benefit to brushing gently and briefly to stimulate scalp circulation and help distribute natural oils from roots to tips. A few strokes with a natural bristle brush on dry hair does it. Skip synthetic or vent bristles, toss old brushes with bent or broken bristles, and never brush wet hair, unless you have a Wet Brush.
Myth 2: Stress turns your hair gray.
Truth: No way! If that were true, we'd all be gray by high school!! Going gray is genetic. When the cells that produce melanin — your hair pigment — no longer produce color, it's over. There is no current scientific proof that stress accelerates graying, but it can have other effect. For example, all hair goes through rest periods when follicles don't grow. Extreme stress can push this growth phase ahead. So three months from now, you may experience more fallout than usual, and the new hairs that grow in may be gray. Rule out any hair changes — possibly due to drug side effects, hormonal causes or underlying illness — by seeing your doctor.
Myth 3: Ponytails, dreads and braids are a stylish daily choice.
Truth: Absolutely! However, constant tension and traction on hair by styles that are pulled tight — including ponytails, braids, weaves, dreadlocks, cornrows or extensions — can cause a receding hairline or breakage that leaves hair thinner, weakened and damaged. In fact, traction alopecia can mimic female pattern baldness, so catch the damage before it's irreversible. Change your 'do and loosen up. Try a soft updo that leaves loose pieces dangling. Style bigger, imperfect braids that start at the nape. Alternate the placement of your ponytails (so the band isn't always in the same place) and use thick fabric covered scrunchie-type bands (not elastics). Go with your natural texture. Or hold hair off the face with a soft fabric band or scarf.
Myth 4: A last cold-water rinse makes hair shinier.
Truth: Icy water will certainly will wake you up, but it won't close your cuticles (or your pores for that matter!) Each hair has a "cuticle" coating composed of shingle-like overlapping cells. The theory that chilly water makes hair lie flat is false. Only color changes the cuticles by swelling them, or rough towel drying makes hair frizz by lifting up the cuticles. A warm shampoo (not steamy hot), followed by a warm-to-cool water rinse, can minimize cuticle frizz. Opt for a good shine-boosting, leave-in conditioner or styling product (L'anza Color Illuminator, Keratin Healing Oil Hair Treatment or Neem Plank Silk Serum are all great options) and an occasional glossing treatment at the salon to keep color-treated hair light-reflective.
Myth 5: Fine, thin hair should skip conditioner.
Truth: Never! And no, those combo shampoo-conditioners are not for you, love. A separate, post-shampoo moisturizing, nourishing, hydrating conditioner is an essential part of your healthy hair regimen. Use it to detangle wet hair (saving you from breakage) and for a healthy, fuller look. Even leave-in conditioners keep hair feeling clean, keep strands separate and allow hair to blow-dry to a bouncy and full finish. One tip: Apply conditioner from mid-shaft to ends, avoiding the root area, if you have thinning hair that exposes the scalp. Your stylist can recommend the right conditioner for your specific needs.
Myth 6: Stretch the time between shampoos and blowouts for as long as possible to avoid hair loss and damage.
Truth: Wash your hair enough. You don't necessarily need a daily wet shampoo, but do so every other day or every two days for sure. Your scalp, like facial skin, is a magnet for dead cells, product buildup, excess oils and bacteria. While we love dry shampoo for its ability to boost volume and make our locks smell fresh, and we love styling products for their skill at making our hair look smoother/shinier/fuller/curlier (take your pick), leaving these goodies sitting around on your scalp for too long can cause itchiness or irritation. Wash your hair!
There you have it loves! Don't always believe what you hear or see online! Be sure to ask your stylist about how to properly care for YOUR hair and be honest with them about what DIY treatments you are doing at home, because they can effect how your service turns out! I hope this information helps you care for your locks, loves!
Thanks for reading!