Widespread Myths And Real Facts About Hair Growth

Posted on Nov 18, 2023 in Natural Hair Care

Many beliefs and practices have emerged around the enigma of hair growth. From the age-old adage of cutting your hair to make it grow faster to the allure of miracle products promising rapid growth, the world of hair care is filled with myths and misinformation.

What are widespread myths and facts?

Regular hair cutting improves its growth

While trims are needed for preventing split ends and keeping healthy hair, cutting your hair doesn’t directly influence its growth rate. Hair growth occurs at the follicle level on the scalp, not at the ends.

Shaving your head makes hair grow thicker

Shaving your head doesn’t alter the thickness or texture of the hair shaft. The appearance of thicker hair after shaving is due to the blunt edge of the newly grown hair, not an actual change in its structure.

Brushing your hair vigorously stimulates growth

Brushing your hair has benefits for distributing natural oils and preventing tangles, but excessive brushing can lead to breakage. Hair growth is determined by genetics and overall health, not the intensity of brushing.

Certain products can dramatically speed up hair growth

No product can miraculously accelerate hair growth beyond your body’s natural rate. Products can contribute to healthy hair, but genetic factors largely predetermine the growth rate.

Plucking gray hair results in more grays

Plucking gray hair doesn’t influence the color of surrounding hairs. Each hair follicle operates independently, and plucking one hair doesn’t impact the others.

Massaging your scalp using special oils can stimulate growth of hair

Massaging your scalp with specific oils is believed to enhance growth. While scalp massages can improve blood circulation and contribute to a healthy scalp, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the idea that certain oils significantly impact hair growth. It’s necessary to note that overall, scalp health plays a more crucial role than the specific choice of oils.

Stress causes permanent hair loss

Extreme stress can lead to a temporary condition known as telogen effluvium, causing hair shedding. However, this typically resolves once the stress is alleviated and doesn’t lead to permanent hair loss.

Wearing hats frequently causes hair loss.

Wearing hats doesn’t lead to hair loss. However, dirty hats or those that are too tight could contribute to scalp issues. Keeping hats clean and ensuring a comfortable fit is necessary for scalp health.