More Hair Care Myths - the
Truth and the Lies
|
By Michael
Barrows
We all have a favourite myth about hair care - some
of them are as old as the hills! In this second in a series
of 3 articles, we examine some of the most widely known
myths - and seek out the reality.
1. 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 washing 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
SUMMARY
Heard another myth about hair? Do your research - ask
an expert! This doesn't include your grandmother, best
friend or local barmaid. Instead, talk to an experienced
hairdresser or a trichologist. Always get the real facts
before you act on any hair myths - you owe it to your
hair.
Michael Barrows
(With thanks to Daniel Mcullough and Karen M. Shelton)
Michael Barrows is a web publisher specialing in niche
marketing. Pick up his FREE ebook "(Nearly) Everything
You Should Know ABout Hairstyles and Hair Care" at his
website; http://www.great-hairstyles.com/
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