Hair care is something no one can afford to ignore. Forget afford to ignore; who doesn’t want a healthy mane of hair? No matter how wear it you want it to be lush and manageable.
As we grow older (who loves that word?) our hair goes through a lot of changes. Some of us are lucky to continue to have thick hair, but some of us, not so lucky.
I have neglected hair care due to various reasons. There was a time when I would be up at 4 am to apply my magic mix and wash it off at 6 am so that when I stepped out of the house to go to work, I would be full of confidence about my hair gleaming with health. Sadly, those days are long gone.
I haven’t lost all of it, (yet) but I am certainly becoming conscious about taking care of it, eating a healthy diet, and ensuring I look after my overall health. My Mother had gorgeous long hair, up to her knees. She would wear it in tight braids because that was the only way to manage it. She lost most of it during her illness.
Some research brought up the following myths we hear about hair care. I want to share it with you. So here we go!
5 Hair care myths
1. You can repair split ends
Big ha-ha there. You cannot repair split ends. The only way to bid them goodbye is by cutting them off. Find ways to keep your hair healthy, if not, it is snip snip snippety snip for you.
2. Your hair will grow quickly if you cut it
Not true. Apparently, hair grows an average of one-fourth of an inch every month. Include protein in your diet to push it. What does happen when you cut your hair is, you’ll get rid of the split ends and help it look better. But cutting it, per se, doesn’t help it grow.
3. Shaving makes your hair grow thicker
Now, this is something I believed. I don’t shave (too lazy), but I’ve heard this a lot. The truth is, shaving and hair texture have no connection.
The reason why people assume shaving makes your hair grow thicker is that shaved hair does not have the fine end of the unshaven hair. So it looks like it is thicker when it grows back. Also, the new hair seems darker as it has not seen the sun yet. So basically it is an optical illusion.
4. When you pull one hair out, three grow in its place.
I wish! Imagine, if this was real then we’d find people pulling their hair out all the time. The hair structure is built in such a way that it follows a growth cycle. So don’t go pulling out your gray hair, because it will not grow back.
5. Maybe I am going bald
This is a thought that has taken up permanent residence in my head. Fact is, the hair cycle is an eight-year stint. It grows, rests for months, and then sheds. The frequency depends on many factors such as stress, body weight gain/loss, medication, sicknesses, and so on. So about 10% of your hair shedding is normal. But if you are losing hair in bunches, consult a doctor.
Hmmm. Lucky Rapunzel, eh?
Now some tips for hair care
1. Dull, Dry Hair
Flat irons and blow dryers are the prime cause of this. The heat on wet hair dries it out and makes it dull. Hair is best when air-dried before you use your blow dryer. Flat irons are for dry hair. If you color it, make sure you use a good conditioner.
2. Brittle Hair
This is likely caused by your hairstyle. I am guilty of tight ponytails and wearing my hair pulled right back. Unknowingly, I subject it to sheer stress. The same goes for hair extensions, corn rows, etc. Don’t brush your hair when it is wet. If you have to comb it, use a wide-toothed comb. And that 100 strokes a day is for fairy tales.
3. Gray hair
Eventually, the pigment fades and hair must turn gray. You have the choice to color it. And if you do, be adventurous!
4. Dandruff
Nobody really knows why one gets dandruff. It can run in the family, sometimes. Itchy and flaky hair is uncomfortable, besides being unhealthy and unattractive. The bad news is most anti-dandruff shampoos aggravate the situation. If you have to use them, alternate with a mild daily shampoo. If you have a bad case of dandruff, consult a doctor.
5. What about those bald spots?
Sigh. This is usually caused by our own immune system fighting with the hair root because of stress or maybe environmental factors. There is medical treatment available for this to make it grow back.
6. Pregnancy and hair
Sometimes, pregnancy hormones can make your hair grow thicker than it was before. Enjoy until things are back to normal. I didn’t experience that. In spite of a hair care regimen, I lost a lot of hair after that time. So it is an individual thing.
Ultimately, hair care is all about – just that – care. Add a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle! Take care of your crowning glory!
Stay healthy!
25 comments
I opened this page and then not knowing it was your blog, was wondering what I had clicked to open a page about hair care. I closed it and later clicked the link in our group and back I was in the same page! 😀
I have heard these myths too and have been trying to talk some people out of it. My parents never had the heads shaved of either my siblings or I. So whenever someone waxed eloquent about shaved heads leading to thicker hair growth I used to point to our own examples 🙂
I almost die laughing at the tall claims of the shampoo/hair oil manufacturers.
Hahah – Shail – When I stopped posting for a few months here, I would feel like a stranger here too! 😀 And to think this blog was more popular than the blog you know! All that shall change now! 🙂
Thank you for commenting – I recall the days my Grandma would laugh every time we saw an ad for hair care products or when someone suggested the shaving off. The worst thing is the claim that split ends can be cured. Big ha.
Hugs!
Good to know. I’ve been guilty of believing these myths as well. Got any tips for dealing with chlorinated hair? I’ve heard that completely soaking the hair before getting in the pool prevents some chlorine damage. If I have time and energy, I soak it then coat it in olive oil and/or conditioner before getting in the pool.
Hi Kina! 🙂 You’re doing the best thing possible. I remember my aunt would make sure all my cousins’ heads were well-massaged with oil before they went in the pool. And afterwards, they had to wash their hair off properly – with shampoo or whatever home made concoction there was. 🙂 Great connecting with you!
Some great information here, Vidya. The shaving one is one I almost believe – thanks for busting it! 🙂
I believed that too! And now, science makes sense 🙂 Thank you for your presence here, Corinne!
I have a lot of hair, although the strands aren’t as thick as when I was younger. I do s little as possible to it. I was about every 4th day and use a conditioner. Someday I intend to stop using commercial products, but the ones I use now are at least silicone free.
Other than that I just brush it when necessary and use elastics without metal when putting it up. The ends tend to get dry, but using coconut oil helps.
If you want to grow your hair long, and want good info, you can join The Long Hair Community. There are a lot of people there with many years of experience and a lot of knowledge. Had I known about that forum 7 years ago, I wouldn’t have had to cut my hair short.
Hi Linda! Thank you for your comment. I’ll check out the Long Hair Community – sounds interesting. I’ve noticed that the more I stress about my tresses, the more it seems like a problem. We grew up following a regimen of regular oil massages and homemade stuff for washing the hair and did fine. I used my first shampoo when I was 20 years old and I remember how horrified my Grandmother was. Even now, I find that washing twice a week preceded by an oil massage works just fine. I haven’t ventured into hair color and doubt if I ever will. I do trim my hair every two months as oiling the split ends makes them curl. 🙂
Thank you for the forum reference!
I only trim once a year. My hair doesn’t fray much.
Great tips and information about something we all want–healthy hair!!
Right, Amy! Thank you!
Lots of myths shattered here!!
For split ends… how much the shampoo companies fool us with promises of repair etc!
Thank you, Shilpa! 🙂 I never stop marveling at all the haircare products. It is crazy, no?
That is a lot of myths you busted. I am going through a rough patch in terms of the amount of pressure I am in, and am losing a lot of hair. Initially I blamed the climate, but now I think, the stress too has contributed its part. God, what I wouldn’t do for thick, long hair like they show in those advertisements.
Stress is a big thief, Bhavya! It steals a lot from us – mentally and physically. Hugs! I hope your stressful time passes quickly! meditation will help. No high-funda stuff. Just sit quietly and empty your mind. Listen to some music that appeals to you.
Thank you for busting all those myths about hair care and hair fall. I hope my hair reads this post and begins to behave itself.
I am pretty sure it was, Cynthia! 😀 Take care! Thanks for commenting!
Ah! I knew a few of these because I shave and the hair that grows back is neither rough nor thick nor is my skin rough!
Some even say that skin darkens if you shave!! *eyeroll*
Thank you for the hair care tips 🙂
With hair, it is always gratifying to have the last laugh! 🙂 Thank you, Hema!
Yes, my first reaction was more or less similar to Shail’s! 😛 I didn’t close the window though. I know you often share other people’s posts, and I’ve usually found them to be good informational articles. So I thought maybe this post was also from a blog you follow, and I decided to check it out. It’s only to towards the end that I found out that it was your entry for UBC! 😀
I had no idea that tying the hair in tight ponies is not good for them. And I also didn’t know about the anti-dandruff shampoos. I have heard that washing hair with hot water aggravates dandruff condition. Don’t know whether it’s true or just a myth. I really did believe that bit about hair growing faster with frequent hair cuts though! :p
Thanks for dispelling the some hair myths. Putting stress on the hair can definitely affect hair growth.
Thanks for your comment!
great read!! so most of what is shown on TV is all a myth! btw I’ve heard that good nutrition rich in iron also helps hair growth….as does using curry leaves..myth or fact?
Curry leaves is a definite yes for the hair, Princess. Interestingly, as long as the body gets all the nutrients it needs in the right proportions and follows a good lifestyle that is free from stress, almost everything is okay 😀 Thanks for commenting! For women especially, a diet rich in iron is a must, unless they have a medical condition that forbids it.
Woww.. that is some good info Vidya. Didn’t know you had this blog too. 🙂