Wrong Hair Myths

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Cutting hair will make it grow faster:

Not true! Shorter hair may look or feel thicker, but cutting it will not after its genetically determined growth rate. Having said that, a regular cut or trim (every four to six weeks) is the cornerstone to healthy hair and will prevent split ends and dry, seemingly dead strands. So, even if you are planning to grow your hair, do remember to trim it on a regular basis.

Find a shampoo and conditioner that suits you and stick with that forever:

Your scalp, which is just an extension of your skin, changes periodically depending on factors such as weather, diet, chemical treatments, and hormonal changes. Just as we would change the products used on our skin, we need to review the condition of our scalp and hair at a given point of time and use hair products accordingly. Confused? Don’t hesitate to ask your stylist for some advice.

Pluck one grey hair and two grow back:

If this were true, we’d find a lot of people pulling their hair out buy the fistful-many of us would love to have more hair than we already do, and we can always colour the stands black!

Henna is an excellent conditioner:

Unfortunately, we live in a country full of henna-loving fiends. Only grandma believes that henna is conditioner and a safe colouring agent! Most of the henna available today is full of chemical powders used to expedite the colouring process and is not completely natural. Even if it were natural, henna coats the hair shaft, not allowing it to breath, and often causes dry and brittle hair. Also, any permanent hair treatments, such as colouring and rebonding are hindered by the use of henna. So, the next time you are looking for some conditioning or want to colour your greys, stick to deep-conditioning treatments and professional hair colours.

Those 2-in-1 shampoo-and-conditioners are great for the hair!

Shampoos and conditioners perform very different roles. Shampoo is a clearing product and is used to eliminate oil, dirt, skin particles, dandruff, environmental pollutants and other contaminants that gradually build up in the hair. Conditioner, on the other hand, seals the hair cuticles that are opened by the shampoo and generally improves the quality and texture of hair. Hence, 2-in-1 hair products are a taboo, as neither shampoo nor conditioner is allowed to optimally play its role when mixed together.

Dandruff is contagious:

Completely false! Dandruff is caused by micro-organisms that are present in most scalps, and not all are active. At the same time, there are several nasty things you can pick up from using someone else’s hair tools, so it’s best not to share combs and brushes.

Fine hair doesn’t need conditioner:

All hair types need conditioning, just like all skin needs moisturizing. Conditioners help to restore the natural moisture that is lost due to heat styling, chemical treatments, exposure to the sun, wind and free radicals, and from day-to-day abuse. Conditioners can do a whole lot of good for your hair. Depending on the ingredients, conditioners can not only help your hair gain immense body and volume, but also strengthen and prepare hair for curling and straightening. What’s the best thing? There’s an ideal conditioner for every hair type. If you’ve got fine hair, the key word you need to look for in your conditioner is ‘lightweight’, ‘volumising’, ‘body-building’ ‘amplifying’ or texturising’.

Oil makes my hair soft and reduces hair fall:

While it is true that a good oil massage improves body circulation, which is great for your hair, leaving the oil in your hair for more than an hour is an absolute no-no. Oil, like henna, leaves a coating on the hair shaft and stops the hair follicle from breathing naturally. Also, just getting all that oil of the scalp requires rigorous shampooing, which causes the hair to get tangled and break. A wiser option is to use a good quality conditioner after your hair wash and follow it with a dollop of hair serum on towel-dried hair. As for blood circulation, go in for new-age treatments such as hair spa and power does, which simultaneously relax, rejuvenate and recondition your hair.