I’m not going to lie, there are so many hair myths out there, it’s hard to know where to begin. I decided the best place to start is with the 5 I’m currently hearing most often. These are the ones I’m seeing in my DM’s on a daily basis and I think they deserve a little attention. The internet loves to take parts of the truth and make it the whole truth, especially when it comes to beauty.
So, let’s get to debunking, shall we?
Myth #1: Can wearing your hair in a ponytail cause a receding hairline?
Well, that’s terrifying now isn’t it. The short answer is NO.
While I understand where this comes from, you would have to be chronically wearing your hair in a tight slicked back ponytail around the clock and even then, it’s a stretch. What can happen however, is wearing your hair in a ponytail can cause some where your rubber band is pulling. I encourage most of my clients to wear a loose ponytail or braid to avoid too much tension.
Myth #2: Is airdrying your hair better than blowdrying?
This may come as a surprise, but actually not necessarily. I like to use the towel analogy here. If you leave a wet towel on the floor overnight, you’ll wake up to a towel that feels a little gross and smells a little funky. It may even be a little damp. The same is true for your scalp! It’s all trapped moisture. I often hear that the heat is a concern, but your blow dryer won’t get above 165 degrees (curling irons can typically reach 400 degrees). You can even let your hair air dry about 70% of the way and then just blowdry the rest. The key is to ensure that you’ve gotten all of the moisture out of your hair.
If you’re someone who likes to go to bed with your hair wet…please don’t! I promise you won’t regret the few extra minutes it takes to get your hair all the way dry.
Myth #3: Will getting a trim every 6-8 weeks make your hair grow faster?
As a stylist, I would love for this to be true, but unfortunately, it’s not. Your hair grows from your scalp, so unfortunately the ends have very little to do with how quickly your hair can grow. Now don’t get me wrong, eventually those ends will need to be trimmed. I’d recommend every 10-12 weeks. Keeping your ends clean can help your hair stay long and healthy looking so there are a few benefits!
Myth #4: Will blonde shampoo make my hair brighter?
This one makes my toes curl a bit because I hear this SO often. The ONLY thing blonde shampoo does is neutralizes any yellow hues in your hair. That being said, it actually leads to dry, darker and duller hair. I know this is probably going to surprise so many of you, but I promise you that purple (or blue) shampoo is not the answer. In order to get your blonde brighter, I would recommend having your stylist lift it to the proper level, use the correct toner or no toner at all and incorporate clarifying shampoo into your weekly routine at home.
Myth #5: Will biotin make my hair grow?
Okay friends, listen up.
Biotin does not make your hair grow. I repeat, it does NOT work that way.
The companies who have pushed this narrative have made a ton of money convincing people that this is the only way to have long, luscious hair. First of all, the only time biotin can make any kind of impact is if you’re deficient and that’s extremely rare. In fact, taking biotin when you’re not deficient can lead to several unwanted side effects. My best advice for hair growth? Start by ensuring you’re eating a nutritious diet, stay hydrated and get at least 100 grams of protein per day. I know that sounds like a lot, but it can make all the difference!
Okay, I know I hit you with a lot there, but trust me, debunking these hair myths will save you time, money and even a few headaches! Click below to watch the full video and stay tuned for another blog post next week!
