Hair Care Myths Busted: What You Should (and Shouldn't) Be Doing for Your Hair

From old wives' tales to TikTok trends, the world of hair care is packed with advice—but not all of it is legit. With so much conflicting information out there, it’s easy to fall into habits that may actually be doing more harm than good.

So, how do you separate fact from fiction? Let’s bust some of the most common hair care myths and get to the bottom of what your hair really needs.

Myth 1: Trimming Your Hair Makes It Grow Faster

The truth: Hair grows from the scalp, not the ends. Trimming your hair doesn’t affect how quickly it grows—it just helps keep it healthy.

What to do instead:

Regular trims (every 6–8 weeks) prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft, which can lead to breakage and make your hair appear shorter and more damaged over time. Keeping your ends neat will help your hair grow out stronger and look thicker.

Myth 2: Washing Your Hair Every Day Is Necessary

The truth: For most people, daily washing isn’t just unnecessary—it can actually strip the scalp of natural oils that keep your hair healthy and balanced.

What to do instead:

• Wash your hair 2–3 times a week unless you have an oily scalp or sweat heavily.

• Use dry shampoo between washes to absorb oil and refresh your style.

• If your scalp gets dry or irritated, try a sulfate-free, hydrating shampoo and condition accordingly.

Myth 3: You Should Brush Your Hair 100 Strokes a Day

The truth: This old-school advice can do more harm than good. Over-brushing can cause unnecessary friction, leading to breakage and hair fall.

What to do instead:

• Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to gently remove knots, especially when your hair is wet.

• Focus on brushing just enough to distribute natural oils from your scalp to your ends.

• Be gentle—hair is most fragile when it's wet, so avoid aggressive tugging.

Myth 4: You Can Repair Split Ends With Products

The truth: Once a strand of hair is split, no product can truly repair it. Some treatments can temporarily bind the ends and make them look smoother, but the only permanent fix is a trim.

What to do instead:

• Prevent split ends by minimizing heat styling, using a heat protectant, and avoiding aggressive towel drying.

• Use deep conditioners or masks weekly to keep your hair moisturized and resilient.

• Get regular trims to keep your ends healthy and breakage-free.

Myth 5: More Shampoo = Cleaner Hair

The truth: Using more shampoo doesn’t mean a better clean—in fact, it can leave residue and strip your scalp.

What to do instead:

• A quarter-sized amount is usually enough, depending on hair length.

• Focus shampoo on the scalp, not the ends—your scalp is where oils and buildup collect.

• Let the suds rinse down through your hair to cleanse the rest without over-drying.

Myth 6: Natural Oils Like Coconut Oil Work for Everyone

The truth: While natural oils can be great for some hair types, they aren’t one-size-fits-all. Coconut oil, for instance, can cause buildup or stiffness in fine or protein-sensitive hair.

What to do instead:

• Choose oils based on your hair type and porosity. Lighter oils like argan or jojoba work better for fine hair, while thicker oils like castor or coconut may suit coarse or curly hair.

• Use oils as a pre-shampoo treatment or a finishing touch on dry ends, not as a scalp treatment unless you know your scalp tolerates it well.

Myth 7: Heat Styling Is Always Bad

The truth: Heat styling isn’t inherently damaging—excessive heat or improper use is what causes trouble.

What to do instead:

• Always use a heat protectant spray or serum before styling.

• Keep tools at the lowest effective temperature—fine hair needs less heat than coarse hair.

• Limit heat styling to a few times a week, and give your hair regular breaks.

Final Thoughts: Listen to Your Hair

At the end of the day, everyone's hair is different. The biggest myth of all? That there's a one-size-fits-all routine that works for everyone. The key is to pay attention to how your hair responds to different products and techniques—and not to believe everything you hear on the internet.