Top 10 haircare myths

1. Frequent washing causes hair loss or dryness
   Nope. Washing your hair every day won’t cause dryness. But washing your hair with a harsh shampoo will. If you have dry or combination hair and want to wash it every day – go ahead. Just make sure that you use a mild shampoo specifically formulated for dry hair.
    
2. The more shampoo you use the cleaner your hair will be
   Using half a bottle of shampoo every time you wash your hair only wastes time and money. A small coin-sized dollop should be enough if you have short hair. Use a little bit more if your hair is longer.
    
3. Conditioner helps repair split ends
   Unfortunately the only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. Although conditioners may smooth down the cuticle and improve the appearance of the ends, this is only a temporary fix. Trim your hair regularly to prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft.
    
4. Brushing 100 times a day will make your hair grow faster
   How many of us have fallen for this one! In reality, excessive brushing damages the cuticle, and causes split ends and hair breakage. In other words, it’s a bad idea.
    
5. Regular cuts make hair grow back faster and thicker
   Trimming hair doesn’t affect the growth rate or texture. Although volume-building products are useful if your hair is very limp or thin, there’s no way to accelerate hair growth. Don’t skip the trips to the hairdresser though – maintaining your ends is a must (see myth 3).
    
6. Hair becomes immune to products after prolonged use
   Do you change or rotate shampoos every few months to avoid “product immunity”? Don’t ditch great products. The truth is that your regular shampoo hasn’t become less effective – your hair simply needs to be washed with a clarifying shampoo (every two weeks). This should get rid of product build-up and leave your hair looking lustrous again.
    
7. Shaving a baby’s head will make the hair grow back faster and thicker
   This is certainly not true. Babies who are born with soft blonde hair may grow up to have coarse dark hair. Shaving the hair will not stimulate faster hair growth, nor will it affect hair thickness.
    
8. Blow-drying hair causes it to smoke
   Don’t panic – you’re not about to burst into flames. This "smoke" is simply hair gel or spray evaporating under the heat of the hairdryer. Phew.
    
9. If you pluck a grey hair more will grow back in its place
   Actually, grey hairs are going to sprout whether you pluck them or not. It’s best to leave them alone, as plucking can damage hair follicles and induce scalp infections.
    
10. Brushing thinning hair speeds up hair loss
    If you’re using a decent brush, and you aren’t brushing excessively, your hair won’t fall out any faster. The only hairs that might end up on the brush are those that are no longer attached to hair follicles.