We’ve all heard hair care advice from friends, family, and the internet—but how much of it is actually true? From the idea that cutting your hair makes it grow faster to the belief that dirty hair dyes better, there are countless myths floating around. The problem? Many of these so-called “hair hacks” could be doing more harm than good.
In this blog I will be discussing some of the most used hair myths and explaining if they are true or false and the reasoning behind them. I have chosen 13 and only one of them is true, which one do you think it is?
“If I don’t wash my hair, it will clean itself.”
False: Not washing your hair can lead to a dry, itchy scalp, which may cause dandruff. It can also result in an unpleasant smell and clogged follicles. I recommend shampooing when your hair starts feeling dirty. You don’t need to wash it every day, but at least twice a week is ideal.
“Cutting your hair will make it grow faster.”
False: Cutting your hair makes it healthier and stronger because removing dry, dead ends prevents breakage from traveling up the hair shaft. While it may seem like your hair grows faster, what’s actually happening is that healthier strands experience less breakage. This allows new hair growth from the follicle to be more noticeable, giving the appearance of longer hair.
“Split ends can be repaired.”
False: Split ends cannot be repaired because the split portion of the hair is already dead. No treatment or mask can reverse this damage. The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. Hair masks and treatments are preventative, not a cure. Once you’ve cut your split ends, using masks and treatments can help maintain healthy hair.
“Dirty hair dyes better than clean hair.”
False: I recommend washing your hair two days before colouring so that it’s not too dirty. This helps achieve better results, especially with bleaching and highlights. If hair is too greasy, it can slow down the development process or even cause highlights to “bleed,” meaning the colour may slip from the root and create blotchy marks.
“Washing your hair too much is bad for your hair.”
False: Washing your hair two to three times a week is generally ideal, but I advise clients to wash their hair whenever they feel it needs cleaning. Personally, I wash my hair every day because it styles better, and with the right shampoos, frequent washing isn’t an issue. However, washing your hair multiple times a day—especially if you exercise often—can strip natural oils and cause colour-treated hair to fade more quickly.
“You can’t colour your hair if you’re pregnant.”
False: You can colour your hair while pregnant. However, I recommend doing another skin test beforehand to ensure you haven’t developed any new allergies.
“Air-drying your hair is better than using a hairdryer.”
False: Using a hairdryer isn’t necessarily bad if you apply a heat protector and use a low heat setting. If you’re concerned about heat damage, you can use the hairdryer to remove excess moisture and then let your hair air-dry. I also don’t recommend going to bed with wet hair, as the friction from your pillow can cause split ends. Similarly, tying up wet hair can weaken the hair shaft.
“Volume shampoo will make your hair voluminous without styling.”
False: Volume shampoos work well for fine hair because they are lightweight and don’t weigh hair down like moisturising shampoos. However, they don’t create volume on their own. To achieve a voluminous look, you’ll still need to style your hair using rollers, a blow dryer, or other styling tools.
“Thinning hair products can regrow lost hair.”
False: Thinning hair products are preventative, not a cure. They won’t regrow hair that has already been lost. Ideally, you should start using these products early, before significant thinning occurs. If hair loss is genetic, these products may not be effective at all.
“Stress can make your hair fall out.”
True: Stress can have a significant impact on both your body and hair. Hair loss often occurs about six months after a stressful event, as stress can disrupt sleep and diet, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Taking supplements may help restore your hair’s health. If hair loss continues, I recommend seeing a doctor and getting blood tests done, as conditions like iron deficiency can contribute to hair thinning.
“Brushing your hair 100 times a day makes it shinier.”
False: Brushing helps distribute natural oils and prevents matting, but excessive brushing isn’t necessary. You definitely don’t need to brush your hair 100 times a day!
“Rinsing hair with cold water makes it shinier.”
False: While a cold rinse may feel refreshing, it doesn’t directly make hair shinier. Shine comes from using the right shampoo, conditioner, and finishing products.
“You don’t need shampoo for curly hair—only co-wash.”
False: I recommend shampooing curly hair once a week while using conditioner or leave-in treatments in between washes to freshen up curls. Avoiding shampoo completely can lead to product build up, a dry scalp, and dandruff – think of it like not using soap on your face!