There
are many myths about hair,
and sadly perhaps, even hairstylists who should know better circulate
some of this Hair Voodoo. Here are the scientific FACTS about the top
10
hair myths:
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1.
Cutting your hair makes it stronger or grow faster.
Bull winkle.
Its hair, not a lawn. Exactly where this myth started is unknown, but
is
probably related to the observation of men's facial hair. There are
different
kinds of hair on your face and head. Hair on your head and facial hair
have different properties. Cutting your hair will only make it shorter
and hairs grows almost exactly half an inch per month, no matter what
you
do or take.
2.
Split ends can be repaired.
Sorry Charlie,
not true. Split ends cannot be repaired and should be cut off
immediately
or they will split yet higher and do yet more damage.
3.
Brushing your hair is good for it.
To the contrary,
brushing your hair is very bad for your hair and the leading
contributor to split ends and hair breakage. By all means groom your
hair,
but once it is in place, STOP.
4.
Tight hats cause baldness.
This one probably
started in the military where young men entering the service were
required
to wear hats and soon showed signs of going bald, or at least of hair
thinning.
This is due to coincidental timing. The age that young men enter the
military
is also the same age that male pattern hair loss begins. This is due to
dihydrotestosterone, not hats. Hats do cause hair breakage and to a
lessor
degree to split ends.
5.
Hair can turn gray or white over night.
What utter
nonsense. This one was born in literature. What part of "fiction" did
they
not understand? Hair receives its color genetically and can only turn
gray
or white over very long periods of time. Actually the hair doesn't turn
white in as much as the hair loses color, but not over night, or even a
wild weekend.
6.
Pluck one gray hair and two grow back.
Folks, if this
were true I would be pulling my hair out by the fist full. I need more
hair and can always color the gray hair.
7.
Baldness is inherited from the mothers side of the family.
More Hair Voodoo.
Male and female pattern hair loss can be inherited from either side of
the family and may or may not skip many generations. Male pattern hair
loss usually begins at age 18 to 20 and female patter hair loss between
ages 45 and 55.
8. Dandruff
is caused by dry scalp.
Dandruff and
dry scalp are two entirely different things. A good shampoo and
conditioner
will take care of the dry scalp, which is 'flaking'. Dandruff shampoos
are entirely unnecessary and inadvisable for dry scalp.
Dandruff is
a serious health issue and requires medical attention and prescribed
medication.
The 'flakes' are actually oily, not dry. Very few people have actual
dandruff and you would know it if you did.
9.
Dandruff is contagious.
No. You already
have the micro organism that causes dandruff, yours just aren't as
active.
On the other hand, there are plenty of nasty things you can get from
someone
else's comb or brush, so be careful.
10.
Cutting your hair during a full moon makes it grow in healthier,
fuller,
faster or longer.
Give me a break.
I am not even going to dignify this one with an explanation. Hey, if
they
buy into this type of earth muffin drivel, by all means, let them mark
the dates
on their calendar.