{"id":54845,"date":"2023-04-24T09:54:32","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T07:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/hair-myths\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T12:17:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T10:17:03","slug":"hair-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/hair-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"15 common myths about hair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, we examine 15 widely held myths about hair that can lead to mistakes in hair and scalp care.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Considering how much concern hair loss and hair appearance can cause, it is striking that so many misconceptions still circulate about how hair should be cared for or treated. It is also common for people to try products, treatments, accessories or cosmetic procedures without knowing whether they are likely to be useful or potentially damaging. <\/p>\n\n

15 myths about hair<\/h2>\n\n

The most widespread myths about hair include the following:<\/p>\n\n

1. Wearing caps, hats or helmets frequently causes hair loss<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This misconception is based on the idea that headwear prevents the scalp from \u201cbreathing\u201d and therefore causes the hair to fall out. Scalp oxygenation is considerably more complex than this and is not impaired by wearing caps, scarves or hats. In fact, headwear is often useful for protecting the scalp from ultraviolet radiation. For the same reason, there is no justification for avoiding a bicycle or motorcycle helmet because of concerns about alopecia. <\/p>\n\n

2. Washing your hair frequently makes it fall out more<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Hair can be washed as often as necessary, including daily. The important consideration is to choose an appropriate, sufficiently mild shampoo that is well tolerated by the scalp. <\/p>\n\n

The primary role of shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp. Some shampoos are formulated to help manage scalp conditions such as dandruff, but shampoos do not generally treat the underlying causes of hair loss. <\/p>\n\n

3. Hair dye, straighteners and hairdryers cause alopecia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Repeated heat exposure from straighteners, curling irons or hairdryers used at very high temperatures can damage the external hair fibre. However, this does not normally damage the follicle, which is where the hair is produced.<\/p>\n\n

These devices can therefore cause considerable hair-shaft damage and breakage, but not alopecia caused by follicular loss. <\/p>\n\n

Hair dye is similar in this respect. One of its main risks is an allergic reaction affecting the scalp, with symptoms such as irritation, flaking and intense itching. Frequent colouring, particularly with ammonia-containing products or aggressive bleaching, can damage the hair fibre and worsen its cosmetic appearance, but this is different from causing follicular hair loss.<\/p>\n\n

Allowing damaged hair to grow out and reducing chemical and thermal treatments can improve its appearance over time.<\/p>\n\n

4. Cutting your hair or shaving your head makes it grow back thicker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Cutting the ends of the hair does not increase hair density, and neither does shaving the head. <\/p>\n\n

Although the term \u201ctrimming damaged hair\u201d is commonly associated with making hair healthier, cutting off split ends, faded colour or hair damaged by chlorine, salt water or sun exposure has a cosmetic effect only. It does not change the number or activity of the hair follicles beneath the scalp.<\/p>\n\n

5. Braids, ponytails, hair accessories and dreadlocks cause baldness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Usually they do not \u2014 unless they create persistent excessive tension. This is the principle behind traction alopecia. <\/p>\n\n

Repeated twisting, pulling, friction or pressure from very tight hairstyles \u2014 including dreadlocks, tight braids, buns or high-tension ponytails \u2014 can eventually damage both the hair shaft and the follicular root.<\/p>\n\n

If the tension is prolonged, hair loss may develop in the areas subjected to the greatest traction.<\/p>\n\n

6. If my father is bald, I will become bald too<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The genetics of androgenetic alopecia are more complex than simply inheriting baldness directly from one parent. <\/p>\n\n

Androgenetic alopecia<\/a> is influenced by hereditary and hormonal factors. The androgen receptor gene is located on the X chromosome, but androgenetic alopecia is polygenic and cannot be predicted simply by looking at whether a person\u2019s father or maternal grandfather has hair loss. <\/p>\n\n

Likewise, the idea that baldness necessarily \u201cskips a generation\u201d is also a myth. <\/p>\n\n

\"Hair<\/figure>\n\n

7. Sandalwood oil cures baldness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This claim arose from a small experimental study investigating a synthetic sandalwood compound and an olfactory receptor known as OR2AT4. The study suggested a possible biological effect on the hair cycle, but findings from a small early-stage investigation are not sufficient to establish sandalwood oil as an effective treatment for alopecia. <\/p>\n\n

Hair loss can also fluctuate naturally, and conditions such as telogen effluvium may resolve spontaneously over time.<\/p>\n\n

There is therefore no evidence that sandalwood fragrance or oil is a treatment for baldness.<\/p>\n\n

8. Platelet-rich plasma is the best option because it is natural<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Platelet-rich plasma and related preparations are obtained from the patient\u2019s own blood and are used with the aim of supporting regenerative processes. <\/p>\n\n

They have applications in several areas of medicine and may also be used in selected patients with hair loss. However, the fact that a treatment is derived from the patient\u2019s own blood does not mean that it is necessarily the most appropriate or most effective treatment. <\/p>\n\n

In hair disorders, these procedures are generally considered as one possible option, often in combination with other treatments and for selected indications. Our dermatologists expert in hair disorders<\/a> take a cautious approach because these procedures may require repeated sessions and local anaesthesia of the scalp. <\/p>\n\n

9. Castor oil makes eyelashes grow<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

There is no established scientific evidence that castor oil makes eyelashes grow longer or denser. In addition, products applied close to the eye can cause irritation. Some treatments capable of increasing eyelash growth are based on prostaglandin<\/a> analogues, compounds originally used in the treatment of glaucoma<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Increased eyelash growth was observed as a side effect in patients using these medicines, which subsequently led to the development of specific formulations for eyelash growth. <\/p>\n\n

10. Horse shampoo makes hair stronger, thicker and shinier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Horse shampoo became popular at one point because of claims that ingredients such as biotin could make human hair grow more quickly and with greater volume. <\/p>\n\n

Biotin is a B vitamin involved in normal metabolism. True biotin deficiency is uncommon, and the vitamin is present in many foods. More importantly, biotin applied in shampoo does not penetrate to the hair follicle in a way that would increase the number of hairs, hair density or growth rate. <\/p>\n\n

Products formulated for animals are also not designed for human skin and hair and may contain ingredients that are inappropriate for human use.<\/p>\n\n

The main purpose of shampoo is to cleanse the hair and scalp. Certain formulations may help manage scalp problems such as eczema or excess sebum, but they do not alter the number of follicles or accelerate normal hair growth. <\/p>\n\n

11. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) should always be avoided<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Sodium lauryl sulphate, commonly known as SLS, is a surfactant used in many personal hygiene products.<\/p>\n\n

It helps remove oils and dirt and contributes to foaming in products such as shampoos, shower gels and toothpastes.<\/p>\n\n

The fact that SLS is also used in some industrial cleaning products does not in itself mean that its use at appropriate concentrations in cosmetic products is harmful. As with many cleansing ingredients, tolerance depends on concentration, formulation and individual skin sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n

\"Hair<\/figure>\n\n

12. You should either try every shampoo or avoid shampoo altogether: the \u201cno poo\u201d trend <\/strong>…<\/p>\n\n

Many contradictory ideas have circulated about hair washing. One common belief is that shampoo must be changed regularly because the hair \u201cgets used to it\u201d and it stops working. <\/p>\n\n

At the opposite extreme is the \u201cno poo\u201d trend \u2014 from no shampoo \u2014 whose advocates suggest avoiding conventional shampoo and using mixtures based on water, bicarbonate of soda and\/or vinegar instead. <\/p>\n\n

Regular cleansing of the hair and scalp is part of normal personal hygiene. <\/p>\n\n

Shampoo helps remove excess sebum produced by sebaceous glands, environmental dirt and residues from styling products such as hairspray, gels, waxes and other cosmetics. Allowing these substances to accumulate may favour irritation and the proliferation of microorganisms. <\/p>\n\n

Home mixtures based on bicarbonate of soda and vinegar may also have a pH that is poorly suited to the scalp and hair fibre and can contribute to dryness, irritation or changes in the quality and colour of the hair.<\/p>\n\n

The most appropriate approach is therefore to choose a mild shampoo that suits the individual scalp and hair and use it as often as necessary.<\/p>\n\n

13. If you pull out one grey hair, seven more will grow<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Grey hairs do not multiply because one has been removed. Plucking a grey hair has no effect on the number of neighbouring follicles or on whether those follicles subsequently produce grey hair.<\/p>\n\n

14. Grey hair does not fall out<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Grey hair can fall out just like pigmented hair. Structurally, a grey hair is a hair fibre that has lost its pigment as part of the greying process. Its white or grey colour does not make it inherently resistant to hair loss. <\/p>\n\n

15. Stress causes grey hair<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This statement has some scientific basis. Periods of intense or prolonged stress are associated with physiological changes that may influence processes involved in hair pigmentation. However, greying is multifactorial and is strongly influenced by age and genetics, so stress should not be considered its only cause. <\/p>\n\n

We invite you to share this article about common hair myths with family and friends who may find it useful.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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