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Common Hair Care Myths

Prerna Salla
Think brushing your hair 100 strokes each night is healthy? Some feel it's great to do so, because they think it increases their blood circulation. Well, maybe it's not so great an idea.
Will frequent trims really make your hair grow faster? Can there be any such thing as faster hair growth? Read on to discover the simple truths behind great hair.

Myth #1: Frequent trims make hair grow faster.

The truth is that hair grows a half-an-inch per month, whether you cut it or not. Hair may grow slightly faster in the summer, but that has nothing to do with the stylist's scissors and everything to do with hormones. One thing a trim will do: Eliminate split ends, it will make your hair look better.

Myth #2: Stress can make your hair fall out.

Although your hair is falling out all the time, to the tune of 50 to 120 strands per day, it's possible that you may lose a few more strands when you're "catastrophically" stressed, meaning you have had a major life change such as a divorce, unemployment, death in the family, etc. Other culprits are pregnancy or antibiotics.

Myth #3: Switching shampoos can make hair look healthier.

It may seem so, but it is not true. Hair can't tell the difference between brands and don't build up tolerance to any product. Your favorite shampoo will work the same every time you lather up, week after week, month after month. If you have very oily hair, it does pay to use a clarifying shampoo once every two weeks to wash away the extra sebum.

Myth #4: If you pluck out one gray hair, two or three will sprout in its place.

While this isn't true, plucking out those gray strands is a bad habit. You can damage the roots, causing infection or leaving a scar.

Myth #5: You can't make flat, fine hair look full of body.

Five minutes with a set of large hot rollers will add life to straight hair. The heat in the rollers add a circulatory pep to your hair.

Myth #6: To get really clean hair, you must "lather, rinse and repeat."

One thorough washing usually does the trick.

Myth #7: Rinsing with ice-cold water after a shampoo will give you shinier hair.

It might wake you up, but a wash with cold water will have no effect on the shine of your tresses.

Myth #8: Coloring your hair causes major damage.

Products today, both at home and in the salon, are gentle enough not to weaken hair. In fact, some contain extra conditioners that may leave hair more manageable than before. Although it's not necessary, it doesn't hurt to consult a professional stylist the first time you do anything permanent to your hair or scalp.

Myth #9: You can mend split ends with the right products.

Once they're split, that's it. The only thing you can do then is cut them off. You can make split ends less noticeable by applying a product containing silicone or beeswax. It will temporarily seal ends together, making hair softer and more manageable, but it is best if you go in for a haircut to make them look better and make them more manageable.

Myth #10: You should brush your hair 100 strokes every day.

Brush it only to style it, because brushing pulls hair out of their follicles and possibly weakens individual strands; a truth which isn't known as much.