Episode 4: The Haircare Illusion: Myths Vs. Facts
Age-old stereotypes & biased beliefs are everywhere, shaping myths & misguiding haircare decisions. There are Myths like regular trimming promotes faster hair growth & overbrushing makes hair shiny & frizz-free.
However, facts, supported by evidence, reveal something different from the ongoing folklore.
Imagine that one of your elderly relatives advised you to brush your hair a hundred times a day for long hair. Influenced by the advice you give in a fresh kickstart, without even verifying the reliability of the information. However, did you know that over-brushing can increase hair loss? Your decision to simply go by the advice without verifying the root source could cause you to lose your crown!
To avoid such devastating situations, we have busted some common myths surrounding hair care for you!
Read on to find out the science-backed truths to boost your hair care routine!
What's In It For You!
MYTH #1:
Cutting or trimming the hair regularly is often believed to stimulate better growth. It also acts as a means of combating hair fall.
FACT #1:
Regular trimming does not stimulate faster hair growth as it does not nourish the hair roots. It does not reduce the rate of hair fall either. Regular trimming helps prevent breakage & split ends. So, it creates the impression that our hair is growing faster (Healthians.com, 2025).
Pro Tip: Trimming prevents split ends but doesn't speed up growth or reduce hair fall.
MYTH #2:
Shampooing must be done on an everyday basis. It helps keep the hair shafts and scalp clean, prevents the growth of free radicals, and prevents scalp infections.
FACT #2:
Daily shampooing can strip the hair & the scalp of natural oils, resulting in dryness & irritation. Ideally, hair washing with shampoo must be done when it gets dirty, oily & smelly (Bartkutė, 2024). A rigid frequency is thereby non-applicable for hair washing.
Pro Tip: Shampoo only when needed—daily washing can dry out hair and scalp by stripping natural oils.
MYTH #3:
It is a common traditional belief that brushing the hair a hundred times makes it shinier & frizz-free.
FACT #3:
Over-brushing results in physical stress, potentially damaging the follicles, resulting in split ends. Although brushing the hair helps rejuvenate blood circulation to nourish & strengthen the follicles while spreading the natural oils evenly on the hair and the scalp, overbrushing can result in breakage & hair loss (Vadodariya et al., 2024).
Pro Tip: Brushing helps distribute natural oils, but over-brushing can cause breakage and hair loss.
MYTH #4:
According to a popular notion, if a gray hair is plucked out from the scalp, more will grow in its place. To prevent it, dyes are used rather than plucking gray hairs out.
FACT #4:
Gray hairs are caused by a reduction of melanin production in the hair follicles, resulting in loss of pigmentation (Pandhi and Khanna, 2013). Loss of pigmentation occurs in old age due to the inability to produce melanin. Gray hair among youngsters results from oxidative stress & genetics. Therefore, plucking gray hair does not result in further growth of gray hair.
Pro Tip: Plucking gray hair doesn’t cause more to grow—graying is due to aging, genetics, and oxidative stress, not plucking.
MYTH #5:
Many people assume that split ends can be repaired, while the damage can be reversed effectively with the advent of advanced technologies.
FACT #5:
Split ends cannot be repaired as the damage is irreversible (Wyman and Kanaar, 2006). Although some products with polymers & natural bonding agents coat the split ends so that it does not appear damaged, trimming them off is the most viable option.
Pro Tip: Split ends can’t be repaired—only trimmed. Products may hide the damage, but they don’t reverse it.
MYTH #6:
As part of a common conception, it is perceived that oily hair does not require conditioning. Therefore, no conditioners should be applied to oily hair.
FACT #6:
Skipping conditioner on oily hair might result in dryness, irritation & breakouts that affect the hair follicles & result in hair loss (Dhanesh, Santosh, and Naikawadi, 2024). Choosing a lightweight conditioner will balance the sebum production & keep the scalp moisturized.
Pro Tip: Oily hair still needs conditioner—use a lightweight one to maintain moisture and scalp health without adding excess oil.
MYTH #7:
Dandruff is a common condition that mostly occurs on dry scalp. It makes the scalp’s skin flaky & itchy.
FACT #7:
Although dryness is one of the contributing factors for dandruff, it is not the only factor. Dandruff is primarily caused by the overgrowth of Malassezia, a fungus that flourishes on an oily scalp (Goh, 2023). A dry scalp is characterized by dryness & flaking skin, whereas dandruff promotes an oily, itchy & flaky scalp.
Pro Tip: Dandruff isn’t just from dryness—it’s mainly caused by a fungus on oily scalps, not dry ones.
MYTH #8:
Expensive Hair Care Products Guarantee Better Results than the ones that are readily available on the market at considerably lower costs.
FACT #8:
The price of a product does not influence its effectiveness. Select hair care products based on your hair type, texture and scalp condition.
Pro Tip: Expensive products aren’t always better—choose hair care based on your hair and scalp needs, not price.
MYTH #9:
Natural ingredients in products are better for hair care. It helps to avoid the side effects of chemical ingredients while vitalizing and stimulating growth.
FACT #9:
None of the hair care products are made of completely natural ingredients. For example, natural and synthetic surfactants are equally used in hair care products that gently cleanse, moisturize, and condition hair strands (Kumar and Mahavidyalaya, 2023). The ingredients should be obviously Licensed to ensure its safety. Hence you need not worry about side effects.
Pro Tip: None of the hair care products are made of completely natural ingredients. Choose products according to their ingredients.
MYTH #10:
Switching between haircare products at frequent intervals is a must, as sticking to the same line of products for quite some time makes the hair get used to them. Changing the products, specifically based on the composition and ingredients, helps to maximize hair care results.
FACT #10:
Hair does not get used to a certain brand or composition of care solutions. Switching between hair care products does not have any expected positive effect on hair health (Wolfram, 2001). However, you may switch if you feel the need for change due to any discomfort or to experience certain other benefits of other products.
Pro Tip: Hair doesn’t get used to products; switch only if needed.
MYTH #11:
Hair Oils Make the Hair Greasy. It often influences itchiness and flakiness, leading to hair loss.
FACT #11:
Not every hair oil leaves an oily residue on the scalp. Hair oils moisturize and nourish the scalp for strong, silky, and long hair. Several natural hair oils nourish and hydrate your hair without leaving the scalp greasy and oily. Natural oils penetrate the hair shafts and leave your hair locks lustrous, moisturized, and healthy for strong, shiny, and long hair (Arora et al., 2024). So, you can use your natural hair oils without the concern that it will turn your scalp itchy and flaky.
Pro Tip: Natural hair oils nourish and hydrate without making hair greasy or causing itchiness.
MYTH #12:
Always using a dry towel after showering to dry the hair is the best practice, rather than relying on blow drying.
FACT #12:
Most people believe that towel-drying is a necessary practice immediately after taking a shower. However, after taking a shower, vigorous rubbing of a dry towel on the wet hair increases friction, resulting in more damage to the hair cuticles and hair fall (Aita and Nonomura, 2016). So, don’t go about rubbing your hair immediately after showering, as it potentially harms your hair quality and results in hair loss.
Pro Tip: Wait for 10 minutes before you towel-dry.
MYTH #13:
Lemon Juice is often used topically with the belief that its antimicrobial properties and acidic nature hold a potent fight against Malassezia, the yeast that causes dandruff.
FACT #13:
No doubt that lemon juice contains 5-6% citric acid, which makes it rich in antifungal and antimicrobial properties to fight Malassezia (CERNĂTESCU et al., 2023). However, excessive use of lemon juice to treat dandruff lowers the pH levels. It dries your scalp, turns it into an acidic terrain, and leaves your hair dull and brittle (Pgshop, 2019). So, you must refrain from using too much lemon juice to treat your dandruff. Instead, use a mild anti-dandruff shampoo for better and long-lasting results.
Pro Tip: Lemon juice can help dandruff but overuse dries and damages hair; mild anti-dandruff shampoo is safer.
MYTH #14:
For generations, people have been believing that leaving the hair tightly braided overnight after thorough oiling helps boost hair growth.
FACT #14:
Not exactly. Oiling the hair is indeed helpful in moisturizing, nourishing, and strengthening the hair follicles and roots. But if you think that tightly braiding your hair after oiling will stimulate hair growth, then you are mistaken. Tight braids, after oiling, create tension on the hair follicles and weaken your hair roots, resulting in an increased amount of hair loss (Hindustantimes, 2022). So, to be on the safe side, never consider going for tight ponytails or braiding after thoroughly applying oil. It essentially damages your hair, increases the rate of breakage, and causes hair loss.
Pro Tip: Oiling nourishes hair, but tight braids after oiling cause tension and hair loss—avoid tight hairstyles.
MYTH #15:
It is a common perception that skipping hair trims assists in positively stimulating hair growth.
FACT #15:
Skipping hair trims does not stimulate hair growth, as trimming involves cutting off the ends while not affecting the hair roots (Indianexpress, 2023). On the contrary, hair grows to a certain length, and avoiding hair trims stimulates split ends and breakage, which damages the hair and influences hair loss (Penkar et al., 2023). So, if you think that skipping trims would enable better hair growth, you are still in the dark.
Pro Tip: Skipping trims doesn’t boost growth; it leads to split ends and breakage, harming hair health.
Bonus FAQ:
Does frequently trimming hair stimulate better growth & reduce hair fall?
No, frequent trimming does not promote hair growth or reduce hair loss, but it helps prevent split ends & breakage, which benefits the hair.
Is daily shampooing necessary?
No. Daily shampooing can increase hair issues, leading to dryness & itchy scalp. Therefore, shampoos must be used only when the hair is dirty, oily, or smelly.
Does excessive brushing promote shiny hair?
No. Excessive brushing can create tension on your hair, leading to breakage & hair fall, rather than making it shinier.
Will plucking gray hair make more to grow in its place?
The growth of gray hair is solely dependent on the production of melanin. An increase in gray hair denotes the falling pigmentation levels of the hair follicles. So, plucking gray hair will not make more to grow in its place.
Can split ends be repaired?
No. It is an irreversible damage that cannot be repaired. The only treatment is to trim off the damaged hair. Avoiding heat treatments & reducing oxidative stress is a potent preventive measure.
Does Oily hair require conditioner?
Yes, oily hair requires conditioner to balance sebum production & prevent scalp dehydration.
Does dry scalp cause dandruff?
No, dandruff does not occur solely on dry scalp, even though it is one of the contributors. Dandruff is caused due to fungal growth on the oily scalp, which is characterized by excessive oil production, itchiness & flakiness.
Which factors influence the effectiveness of a hair care product?
The effectiveness of cosmetic products relies on two factors- the concentration of the ingredients and the suitability of the composition. Understanding the concentration and composition of a chemical formulation is quintessential to ensure safe applicability on skin or hair surfaces. So, always consider buying hair care products that align with your hair type without falling for products with high prices. Also, research the composition and concentration of ingredients before making a purchase decision.
Are natural hair care solutions more effective than chemicals?
Is switching between haircare products necessary?
Do hair oils make hair greasy?
Is towel drying the most efficient way to dry hair after a shower?
Is Lemon Juice a Good Solution for Treating Dandruff?
Do tight braids help hair growth after oiling?
Will skipping trims help stimulate hair growth?
Parting Words!
Smart choices are an inevitable recipe for great hair! We have already taken the first step to bust some of the classic myths with our scientific factual explanations. Now, it's your turn to be the detective and solve the hair riddles.
Next time, if you come across anyone giving you a free tip on haircare, don’t just nod- hit them with a confident “why” and “how”. These magic words will simply lead you to the truth!
'Cause Hey, Your Hair Deserves the BEST!
Try Our Range Of Hair Care Product:
References:
- Aita, Y. and Nonomura, Y., 2016. Friction and surface temperature of wet hair containing water, oil, or oil-in-water emulsion. Journal of Oleo Science, 65(6), pp.493-498. Click Here
- Arora, D., Gandhi, A., Priya, B., Yadav, P. and Mehra, R., 2024. Unlocking nature’s secrets: Developing and analyzing herbal hair oil formulation. Click Here
- Bartkutė, E., 2024. Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo (Master's thesis, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Lithuania)). Click Here
- CERNĂTESCU, C., POTOP, C.M., CERNĂTESCU, M.M. and COBZARU, C., 2023. Quantitative analysis of lemon juice. Bul. Inst. Pol. Iaşi, Secţia Chimie şi Inginerie Chimică, 69(4), pp.81-91. Click Here
- Dhanesh, M.S., Santosh, B.R. and Naikawadi, N.D., 2024. Revolutionizing Hair Care with Cosmetic Products. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 12(3), pp.157-158. Click Here
- Goh, J.P.Z., 2023. Understanding Malassezia secreted proteases in host-microbial crosstalk in skin health. Click Here
- Healthians.com., 2025. Does trimming your hair make it grow faster? Let’s find out. Healthians. Click Here
- Hindustantimes., 2022. Hair care: Hair oiling mistakes that can lead to excessive hair fall. Hindustan Times. Click Here
- Indianexpress., 2023. Myth or fact: Trimming your hair makes it grow faster. Indian Express. Click Here
- Kumar, S. and Mahavidyalaya, S.T.R.K., 2023. Use of surfactants in cosmetics and cleansers: a review. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Educational Research, 12(2), pp.89-92. Click Here
- Pandhi, D. and Khanna, D., 2013. Premature graying of hair. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 79, p.641. Click Here
- Penkar, G.M., Salkar, M.R., Chavan, P.S., Ambade, M.S., Parab, S.A., Padte, T.S., Salgoankar, P.L., Sawant, M.M. and Jagtap, V.A., 2023. An overview on Indian herbs in hair care therapy. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 15(2), pp.161-166. Click Here
- Pgshop., 2019. 6 Uses of Lemon For Hair Growth & Hair Health. P&G., Click Here
- Vadodariya, R.N., Savaliya, S.M., Ramani, V.A. and Pipariya, P.B., 2024. Preparation and Evaluation of Herbal Scalp Serum. Click Here
- Wolfram, L.J., 2001. Hair cosmetics. In Handbook of cosmetic science and technology (pp. 597-620). CRC Press. Click Here
- Wyman, C. and Kanaar, R., 2006. DNA double-strand break repair: all's well that ends well. Annu. Rev. Genet., 40(1), pp.363-383. Click Here
