Hair Myths
Over the years standing behind the chair I have heard many hair myths. Many people take them as absolute truths because they have literally been passed on from generation to generation. Some myths are totally absurd, such as: "cut your hair on the full moon to make it stronger". If this were true, salons and hair dressers would have lunar calendars posted and circled on full moon days. Some are half truths: "switching shampoos will keep your hair healthier". Switching shampoos will not keep your hair healthier but if you change from a heavy conditioning shampoo to a lighter and cleaner shampoo it might give your hair the appearance of more body and fullness.
There are more old wives tales about hair than old wives. Today I will separate fact from fiction.
Here are a few of the most frequently told myths.
1) Pull one grey hair and three more will grow. FICTION! Grey hair is a different texture than your natural hair. It is courser and more wiry. This means it will not lay down smoothly with the rest of your hair. When you pluck a grey hair it will grow popping straight out of your hair like a little antenna. Your grey hair does become more noticeable but plucking does not promote the growth of other grey hairs.
2) Once you start to color your hair you will color it forever. FALSE! Hair color can grow out gracefully. This is usually done by slowly changing your colored hair closer to the shade of your natural hair color, slowly reducing the amount of color, or switching to a semi-permanent hair color until your natural color returns. Most people forget their natural color quickly and like the look of their colored hair. The thought of going back to natural sounds good but usually doesn't work. This is especially true if your hair has started to go grey. Can you go back to your natural color? Yes! Will you choose to go back to your natural color? Probably not!
3) Cut your hair to make it grow. FALSE! Hair grows about one half inch a month. Cut it one half inch and your hair will stay the same length. If you want to grow your hair leave it alone and it will grow. Small trims will keep your hair in shape as it grows and help to avoid awkward stages but they will slow down the growth process. Hair that has excessively split ends is never pretty and should always be trimmed.
4) Split ends can be repaired with conditioning and tender loving care. FALSE! Once hair is split it will remain split no matter how much you condition your hair. A hair cut is the only "cure" for split ends. I would suggest that you trim your hair if split ends are a problem. A small trim can avoid bigger problems. The split end can continue to split up the hair shaft.
5) My hair turned grey over night after a stressful life moment. FALSE! I have had women tell me this for years. There is no reason to disagree and add more stress to their lives so I keep my lips closed. Your greying pattern is predisposed in your genetic gene pool. When you go grey and how grey you become has already been determined. Accidents, illness, financial worries, or any other hard times have nothing to do with grey hair.
6) Brushing your hair 100 times is good for your hair. FALSE! Brushing hair can easily rough up the cuticles of your hair and make it look duller. Brushing can also cause split ends. This is why we have natural bristle brushes or synthetic brushes that are especially designed to be gentle on the hair. Brush your hair gently in place and leave it alone
7) Cold water rinses add shine to your hair. FALSE! The theory is cold water closes the hair's cuticle and makes it smooth and shinny. Sorry to say this theory is false. Cold water will keep you alert and refreshed but it will not add shine. You must use a conditioner to add extra shine.
8) Frequent shampooing can dry out your hair. TRUE and FALSE! Everyone's hair is different. Fine hair tends to be oily and thick course hair tends to be dry. You must shampoo and condition accordingly. Frequent and improper use of hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons that often follow the shampoo are harmful to the hair. Use with caution.
9) Hair is most fragile when wet. TRUE! Hair is elastic and breakable when wet. This is why I always talk about the importance of using a wide tooth comb. Be gentle with your hair when it's wet. Even the strongest hair texture can snap with a rough quick combing.
10) Women can experience hair loss with age. TRUE! Women's hair does tend to become thinner with age. It is not as obvious as hair loss in men but a woman's hair often becomes less dense around the fiftieth birthday. A new haircut and body building products are the best remedy.
I think those are the top ten hair myths. There is no need to consult your astrologer or to bring your lucky charm to the hairdresser. A little knowledge and a lot of common sense will help you maintain a great looking head of hair.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Hair Myths.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://louislicari.ivillage.com/system/mt-tb.cgi/4623
Louis,
Thank you for clearing that up! For all my life, i have heard many of those myths and believed most!!! You always have the greatest information that always seems to come at the perfect time. Thank you.
Your fan,
Peg
Love the blog.Thanks a lot Louis.You are so life inspiring. But could you give an advise to a woman with high forehead? I am having this dilemma all my life and dont know the clear answer yet. Fringe or no fringe? If necessary I can send my picture, but please help me. I used to be called Lenin by the way(because of my forehead).
Peg,
You can't begin to realize how happy I am to read your note. You make all my efforts to write this blog worth while.
Thank You,
Louis
Aigul,
Bangs or a side sweep hairstyle are the perfect solutions to camouflage a high forehead. If your hair is excessively curly a side sweep might be a better choice.
Good luck,
Louis
Hi Louise...as always, love the blog. Question...I have all these little hairs that never seem to grow around the front (basically where the hair and my face meet). Is there anything I can do about them? Or are they just there to stay? As I have curly hair it doesn't bother me too much, but I can't really pull back my hair unless I also wear a hair band too. And as an athlete I need to pull it back. Thanks!
Hi Louis,
Thanks so much for your blog! I have heard every single one of those wive's tales! I appreciate the info on the high forehead. My forehead is a bit on the high side and it really limits what I do with the top half of my head. I am wearing a longer side cut bang as you've suggested and it's working. It took me a while to grow out my bangs but I'm glad I did.
Again, thanks so much for your blogs. They're incredibly helpful and always back up your reasoning.
It keeps me coming back :o)
Kristi
Hi there! Your site is cool!
ukyankee,
The easy solution is to lighten the hairs around your hairline to a baby blond. Experiment with just a few hairs to make sure the color suits your skin tone.
Good luck,
Louis
Joan,
Thanks! If you ever have any beauty questions, Iâm just a click away.
Louis
Kristi,
I'm glad that the side sweep bang worked for you. I'm thrilled that you enjoy my blog. It makes all the hard work worth while.
Louis
HELP! My 15 year old son has the curliest, frizziest, most out of control mess he calls hair that I have ever seen. I try to tell him not to run a brush through it..just to let it dry naturally. Friends and family members who also have extremely curly hair have tried to show him how to use product and have given him tips on how to manage the frizz, etc. but he will not ever follow through with any of it.
He gives me grief about not wanting haircuts. I have offered many times to take him to a stylist that would help but he is convinced he will come out looking like a geek.
This is a major source of aggravation and arguments between he and I and I need some real help...and quickly!
I would love to send you a picture of him so you can see exactly what is going on.
Oh, one more thing...he LIKES his hair, or so he says. Please help!
Please help. My hair is so fine. Please tell me a good shampoo.I have spent so much money on products to style my hair with but even when trying the hair thickening ones it still weigh it down.I would love a spay that would allow me to style it. Help I'm very frustrated.Thank you Marla
Hi Louis, I have been a member of the "I Village" site for a long time. So, tonight as I relaxed in front of the computer, and was reading different articles, as a hairstylist of 35 yrs practicing (not practicing now). Now it is just for family and close friends. Now for my point, ..I have discovered you, and I am extremely happy. I have found things that refreshed my memory, new things, and most of all, a chance to prove answers to people that I try and counsel about their hair, and makeup. You have got my back there. Thanks Louis, luv ya already. Keep up the great work!! xo Vicki
Hello Louis, I just happened upon your
website, and really like your advice. I
am almost 60, have a big forehead, fine,
but wavy and frizzy hair, and I always
wear hats (I live in S. Texas. My hair
is about shoulder lenght, and I am tired
of ponytails. What sort of hairstyle do
you recommend? Thanks for the help.NLP
Hi Louis,
Thanks for clarifying the hair myths. I admit I have been following some of them. I have a questions for you. I have been coloring my hair for years, its natural color is black and now its reddish brown. I wanted to know if I could continue coloring my hair from scalp to hair shaft while being pregnant
Thank you Louis, I am a hairstylist myself and reading these myths, I have herd everyone one of them. I have also told them pretty much exactly what you have on here.
Thank you
Julie
A nice article is here giving the detail information about our hairs.To curl the hairs 'minutecurls ' will be more advantageous.
Nice blog ...people will not be dilemma now about using the conditioner shampoos.