5 hair myths you still believe in

You will be surprised to learn how many myths about hair are constantly being imposed on you and that you believed them for a while. Prevention writes about it.

Myth 1: Frequent shampooing causes hair loss.

That’s right: You notice hair in the bathroom drain after you wash it, but it has nothing to do with the washing process. D., a dermatologist at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. Jeffrey Benabio explains that every hair on your head goes through stages of growth, rest, and shedding.

About 10% of the hair is in the phase of shedding continuously. If you shampoo less often, some of them will stay in place due to reduced friction, but they will still shed in the near future. “Frequent washing does not change the amount of hair in the shedding phase and does not reduce the amount of hair that falls out on average each day,” says Benabio. Therefore, if you haven’t washed your hair in a while, you may see quite a bit of hair loss. But this only happens because they had no chance of falling before.

Myth 2: Having dandruff means you have a dry scalp.

Fact: Having dandruff is a sign of inflammation, not dryness. Inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and allergic dermatitis can cause scaling, according to Nava Greenfield, MD, Schweiger Dermatology in New York. The most common cause of dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis, which is caused by a combination of scalp inflammation and yeast overgrowth, but it can be exacerbated by stress, certain medications, and conditions like Parkinson’s disease. To get rid of dandruff, start washing your hair often – every day if possible – with anti-dandruff shampoos. If this does not help, you should consult a dermatologist.

MYTH #3: Stress or fear can turn gray overnight.

Fact: Stress can cause graying hair, but it takes months. This is because sudden, severe stress (such as death, major surgery, or a serious illness) can damage the melanocyte cells that produce hair pigment. D., head of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Public Health in Washington, DC. Adam Friedman says that because these cells are located under the scalp, it can take several months for gray hair to appear. In addition, hypothyroidism and B12 deficiency can exacerbate stress-induced bleaching.

Myth 4: A haircut can help your hair grow faster.

Fact: Unfortunately, cutting your hair does not make your hair grow faster. Hair growth comes from the follicle below the scalp surface, so while trimming the hair can make it thicker and voluminous, it doesn’t affect growth in any way. Dallas dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Hushmand says that on average, hair grows about an inch per month, but the length depends on genetic hair growth cycles. Your hair will look better if you take care of it, but there is no way you can speed up its growth cycle.

Myth 5: Dry, brittle and dull hair needs vitamins.

Fact: For shinier curls, you first need to fix what’s damaging your hair. If it’s physical damage, avoid hot styling, swimming without caps, tight hairstyles and frequent dyeing. If you are underweight, have severely lost weight, or eat very little protein, a change in diet can help. Founder of B Nutritious in New York, Dr. Adding foods high in healthy fats and B vitamins (like salmon, leafy greens, eggs, red meat, and legumes) can also help, says Brooke Alpert. Regarding the effects of biotin, “there is little evidence that biotin promotes hair growth.”

Previously, Focus He wrote which hairstyles will be fashionable in the summer of 2023.

Important! This article is based on and does not contradict the latest scientific and medical research. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. Be sure to consult a doctor for a diagnosis.