As hairstylists there are many facts about hair health that we take for granted. It is only through the number of questions I have been asked by guests in my chair that I have come to realize...how many ‘hair myths’ are actually out there. Allow me to clear up some of the most common mis-beliefs about hair care.

Myth: Unwashed Hair is Good Before a Dye Job

False! When your hair is dirty it is harder for the colourist to determine the exact colour of your hair, whether it has faded, or if subtle changes might have occurred during the course of the touch-up. Clean hair enables your colourist to have a clearer picture of the proper adjustments that need to occur to keep your colour perfect. Hair colour also takes better on clean hair. If you do have a sensitive scalp and are worried about a reaction to the colouring process, wash your hair gently and do not scrub your scalp.

Myth: Fabric Softener Sheets Eliminate Fly-Away Hair

True! Fly away hair is a huge problem, especially in the winter. Dryer sheets do the same for your hair as they do for your little black dress. Delicately rubbing an anti-static fabric softener sheet over your hair will help to calm fly away hairs instantly. Keep one in your purse as these sheets are good for multiple uses.

Myth: Satin Pillow Sheets Will Help Your Blow-Out Last Longer

True! The trick for better hair and skin; this one’s an industry secret! Satin material won't absorb your hair's natural oils and will not mat your hair while you sleep. This helps hold on to your hair's body and style while also minimizing breakage. This also keeps the oils from your hair from re-depositing on your skin which in turn prevents breakouts.

Myth: Pulling Out One Gray Hair Will Make Two Grow Back in its Place

False! If this were true why wouldn’t balding people pull out all their hair to double it? There is a bad side effect of pulling out your grays though. It causes the gray to grow back in from the beginning. Meaning that while the rest of your hair may be shoulder length that gray that has to regrow from your scalp will be very short until it grows out as long as the rest of your hair (think: how long did it take you to grow your hair to the length it is at now?). This means that until it gets long enough to lay flat with the rest of your hair, that one little gray is going to stick out straight from your head. It is going to look like a gray fly-away! You’re better off leaving your colour maintenance to your hairstylist than trying to get rid of the evidence!

Myth: Hair ‘Gets Used To’ a Product

False! Your hair has no ‘memory’ to actually remember what products are being used. What actually happens is a fine film builds up on the outer surface of the hair which makes it difficult for your favorite product to penetrate and work the way it did when you first started using it. What you need to do is incorporate a weekly clarifying shampoo into your hair care routine. Every hair type can benefit from clarifying shampoo. Do you ever suffer from oily roots and dry ends at the same time? Does this mean your hair is too dry or too oily? Should you be using something moisturizing or something volumizing? The source of this problem is the buildup. It doesn’t let your shampoo get to your roots to adequately cleanse them and it prevents your conditioner getting through to your ends to moisturize them. As soon as you start using a cleansing shampoo, your regular shampoo and conditioner and even your styling products will work like brand new!

Men also have their fair share of hair myths and are just as bad as women about sharing them with their friends. Ever thought that guys don’t talk about their hair with their buddies? I’ve heard some interesting topics come up around the poker table and I’m here to debunk the most common male concerns when it comes to hair.

Myth: Baldness Comes From Your Mother’s Side of the Family

False! Hair loss can be inherited from either side of the family and it may or may not skip many generations. Essentially there is no patter of ‘baldness inheritance’. It is entirely genetic and can come from either side of the family.

Myth: Wearing a Hat Causes Baldness

False! Baldness is also not caused by wearing hats. For a hat to cause hair loss it would actually have to be tight enough to cut off circulation to the follicles. If your hat was that tight it would be far too uncomfortable for you to be wearing in the first place.

Myth: Growing my Hair Long Will Hide my Hair Loss

False! If and when you find your hair is thinning to a noticeable degree, it is best to keep it cut short. If you can see scalp on the top, cut the sides short enough to give yourself a more even appearance over all and take the emphasis off the thinning areas. A comb-over fools no one!

If you find yourself with a hair myth on your mind, ask your stylist about it! Remember there are no dumb questions, only unanswered ones. The more you know the better you are equipped to take care of your hair! Don’t be afraid to ask your hairstylist about anything. You can tell her about your sister’s cheating boyfriend and your best friend’s botched botox job but you’re shy about hair care? Send me your hair myths and I will include the best of them in my next "Myths" article. I’d love to hear what you have to say!

The end of bad hair days...

Remy

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Stylist at il Destino Salon and Spa, Port Moody, BC