It’s Time You Stopped Believing These 10 Hair Care Myths

#1 Myth: Frequent trims makes hair grow faster.

Truth: "Hair grows a half-inch per month, whether you cut it or not," says John Barrett, owner of the John Barrett Salon in New York City. Hair may grow slightly faster in the summer, but that has nothing to do with the stylist's scissors and everything to do with hormones, which do speed growth a little. One thing getting regular trims will do: Eliminate split ends, making hair look better and preventing breakage.

#2 Myth: You must shampoo every day

If you’re a sucker for that freshly-shampooed feeling like we are, we’ve got some bad news: shampooing too often can actually harm your hair. Frequent washing strips the hair and scalp of its natural oils, so hair can become dry and damaged over time. Alternatively, the scalp may overcompensate and produce excess amounts of sebum, leading to hair that looks and feels oily regardless of how often it’s washed. Try cutting back on the frequency of your hair washing; it can take a few weeks for your scalp to adjust, but we promise the benefits will be worth the bother. Between washes, try our No Drought Dry Shampoo to keep your locks feeling fresh and looking their best.

#3 Myth: Natural hair drying is better than a blow dryer

If you have short hair that dries in a few minutes, you don’t need to use a blow dryer. However, it’s preferable to blow dry long hair, as water molecules, penetrating the hair structure, literally wash out keratin from them, making them brittle and dry.

#4 A dry scalp is the main cause of dandruff.

Here everything is exactly the opposite. Dandruff occurs in people with an oily scalp. So when this problem appears, stop using hair oil, which, contrary to your expectations, only worsens the situation.

#5 More shampoo equals cleaner hair

Don’t get yourself into an unnecessary lather! The secret to clean, healthy hair doesn’t depend on the amount of shampoo you use. In fact, a small quarter-sized squeeze of liquid shampoo is typically plenty to thoroughly cleanse shoulder-length hair.

As with most things, quality over quantity is a great mantra when it comes to shampoo. When a shampoo contains high-quality ingredients, you won’t need to use quite so much to get the job done. Our shampoo bars are a great example of this: the small bars last up to 80 washes because they’re packed full of fantastic, effective cleansing ingredients.

#6 Myth: You can mend split ends with the right products.

Truth: Once they're split, then that's it. The only thing you can do then is cut them off. Celebrity stylist Jimmy Paul suggests making split ends less noticeable by applying a product containing silicone or beeswax. It will temporarily seal ends together, making hair softer and more manageable.

#7 Myth: Brush 100 times a day for healthier hair

This is now known to risk damaging your mane. Brushing pulls out hair that isn’t ready to fall out, often breaks healthy hairs, and scratches the scalp. Brush gently for styling only—not to stimulate the scalp.

#8 Myth: Oily hair doesn’t need conditioner

No matter how oily your scalp is, a conditioner is necessary to replace lost moisture—especially if you use a clarifying shampoo. To prevent conditioner from adding to an oily scalp, apply it starting at the ends of the hair and work up to just below the ears, avoiding contact with the scalp altogether.

Rinse-out conditioners applied to your hair right after washing leave moisturizing proteins and other nourishing ingredients on the hair shaft so it feels softer, looks shinier, has better condition and resists damage from styling or combing. Don’t skip out on this step!

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#10 Myth: If you pluck out one gray hair, two more will sprout in its place.

Truth: While this isn't true, plucking out those gray strands is nevertheless a bad habit. You can damage the roots, causing infection or leaving a scar. Keep your hair healthy by treating it gently — not yanking on it.

#11 A cold-water rinse makes your hair shinier.

Hairstylists love to spread this gospel. Their rationale: The icy water will make the cuticle of your hair close so it's flat (and light-reflective), not ruffled (and dull-looking).

Your hair, however, contains no living cells—it doesn't react to cold (or hot) water, says chemist Mort Westman. Use conditioners and styling products that contain silicones and oils to smooth the cuticle. And limit damage to your hair from straightening treatments, hot tools, and frequent dyeing.

#12 Myth: If you always use the same shampoo, eventually it will stop working.

You don't need to practice shampoo rotation to keep your hair clean. But if you've recently started coloring your hair or increased your use of hot tools, it might be a good idea to switch to a more moisturizing shampoo, says Mirmirani. Otherwise, stick with your favorite as long as you love it.

#13 Myth: Shaving the head of a newborn prevents baldness

There is no truth in this myth. Most male baldness is inherited. If a father has a tendency to early hair loss, any sons he has are very likely to inherit the same tendency. If a baby boy’s maternal grandfather and his own father both have this genetic characteristic, the boy will always inherit it.

#14 Myth: Coloring your hair causes major damage.

Truth: Products today — both at home and in the salon — are gentle enough not to weaken hair when used correctly. In fact, some contain extra conditioners that may leave hair even more manageable than before. Of course, if you're feeling a little apprehensive, "it can't hurt to consult a professional stylist the first time you do anything permanent to your hair or scalp," Kingsley counsels.

#15 Myth: Cutting hair by the moon speeds its growth

One Brazilian myth is that hair cut between a full and quarter moon grows more strongly; in Asia, some people think that cutting hair under a waxing moon promotes growth. Neither are true. Hair does not grow back more strongly after it’s cut—at any time.