There are so many myths about hair styling and grooming that it is sometimes difficult to determine which things are true and which are not. Some classic myths that have often been debunked are still strangely believed by many men. It's incredible what an urban legend can do. We list the 8 biggest myths to settle them once and for all.
1. Hair grows faster if you cut it more often
This myth is a true classic. To our surprise, there are still men who believe it. This is also often thought of at the shaving. But it is really a myth. Our hair grows from the root. This means that the ends we cut off are nothing more than dead material. No matter how often you cut them, your hair will continue to grow about 1.5 cm per month. That is the average. Only hormones, nutrition, or your genes can influence how fast your hair grows.
2. You need to wash your hair daily to keep it clean
Washing your hair daily with shampoo. It works counterproductively. It makes your hair dry, dull, and brittle. As a result, your hair will get dirty much faster. Your scalp will produce much more natural oils. Let your hair get used to washing 3 to 4 times a week and you will notice that your hair will look healthy.
3. Stress causes gray hair
Okay, to be honest, we also thought this for a while. But it is really a myth. The graying of hair is determined by genes. It occurs with aging. Your body produces less melanin, which is responsible for the color of your hair. As a result, new hairs become gray. Stress can accelerate the aging of the body but has no direct effect on your hair. There is no scientific evidence for this.
4. Letting your hair dry naturally is better than blow-drying
It's a bit true and not true. It's not good to dry your hair with hot air every day. But letting your hair air dry every day is not good either. Research has shown that the hot air from the blow dryer can damage the surface of the hair, but letting it dry in the natural air can damage the hair in the hair strands themselves. That is much worse. This is because your hair swells from water and exerts pressure on the proteins that keep your hair intact over time.
The best is to use the least hot setting of your blow dryer. Do not hold your blow dryer too close to your hair and do not focus on one spot for too long. You can also protect your hair from heat by using a pre styler that has heat protection.
5. Gel causes hair loss
Although it dries out your hair and makes it look thinner, it does not cause hair loss. It's all optical. The products you use and how you handle your hair affect how your hair looks. But no hair styling product causes hair loss.
6. Shampoo must foam
It's quite logical to assume this. Although a foaming shampoo is nice, it doesn't need to foam to get your hair clean. In almost all shampoos, sulfates are responsible for the foaming effect of the shampoo. However, sulfates can even cause the color in your hair to fade when you've dyed it. There are also various discussions about the potentially harmful effects sulfates can have on your hair. So, it's a myth. Many high-quality shampoos don't foam at all.
7. You shouldn't use conditioner when you have oily hair
If you suffer from oily hair, it's not because you make it oily yourself or because you put conditioner in your hair. It occurs when your body produces too many oils. A conditioner is also suitable for people with oily hair. It protects the hair and ensures a good moisture balance. Reducing washing with a shampoo would have a better effect. There are also conditioner specifically for men with oilier hair.
8. Men don't need to use conditioner
This is, of course, nonsense. Taking care of yourself, and thus also your hair, is not just for women. A good conditioner does more than just make your hair soft and shiny. It makes your hair healthier, stronger, and more elastic. In short, it certainly helps you create a more beautiful hairstyle in the long term.