Haircare is a journey in itself, as there are many ‘hair rules’ that don’t work for everyone. The majority of these hair myths are believed as truth--so we’re here to debunk some misconceptions that are in the way of reaching your hair goals! 

4 Hair Myths Busted

Myth 1: Shampooing more is better.

The fun suds from shampoo cause us to use more shampoo than necessary to create that commercial-worthy lather! Most hair care experts say that using a quarter-sized amount in the palm of your hands, and massaging that into your scalp is correct. This way, you won't waste product, and agitate your strands less by not drying out your hair with extra cleaning power.

How often you should use shampoo to avoid hair damage depends on your hair health, and can be extended by training your hair to go longer without washing! This actually helps your scalp from overproducing oils. If your hair has been through it, check out our “Must Haves for Shampoo” blog post to find the best ingredients to look for in shampoos for your hair needs. 

Myth #2: Oily or thin hair doesn’t need conditioner.

You may think your hair gets enough nourishment since it can look stringy and oily in a few days. Can too much oil damage hair? This is actually one of the biggest hair myths that can damage your hair health, as moisture is needed to replenish your scalp after shampoo goes to work, stripping its oils and busting build-up. Conditioning thin or oily hair is actually essential, as your natural oils may not make it to the ends of your hair (where split ends may appear), leaving it brittle, damaged, unmanageable, and frizzy. It is recommended to hydrate and moisturize your scalp too if you’re using a clarifying shampoo or something else similar. 

If you’re still unsure as to what kind of conditioner you should pursue, we recommend reading our “Hair Conditioning 101: Must-Have Ingredients” blog post to find the key ingredients to look for. To learn about other ways to prevent hair loss, check out this blog post, or if you want to learn about what things people get wrong related to hair loss, then check this post out! What happens if you don't oil your hair? Your scalp could actually become oilier to compensate for the lack of moisture, so it's better to oil and hydrate your hair in the first place! 

Myth #3: Color-treated hair can use any shampoo

If you want your hair color to strip away, then go for any old shampoo! But color-safe shampoo and conditioners are a must for protecting color. Many people think these are a “scam” because they usually cost more money, come in smaller quantities, and have different formulas. They are uniquely crafted to protect your hair color, and keep it vibrant for as long as possible. If you have blonde hair, there are great blue or purple shampoos that will tone the brassiness of your hair. 

If you want to learn about hair dyeing and doing it in the safest way for your hair health, check out this post to read all about it! Another point to mention is that your hair porosity affects the concentration you will be dyeing at, what kinds of hair products you can use afterward, and isn’t the same all across your head of hair. If you’re not sure where to start in terms of hair porosity, we recommend you read our blog post about this topic!

Myth # 4: Dandruff means that your scalp is dry.

Dandruff is actually from an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia that normally lives on the scalp. Overgrowth can be caused by a buildup of oils, dead skin cells, and accumulated hair products. Whereas itchy flakes from a dry scalp can be an accumulation of dead skin cells and isn’t always a sign of dandruff. You can combat this by ensuring your dry scalp is hydrated and using a scalp scrub to remove the small to medium-sized dry flakes. You can read more about how to handle an itchy scalp here. 

On the other hand, actual dandruff is a bit larger in size, and because of its high bacteria growth, it can spread if left untreated. If you’re dealing with an itchy scalp, it's very important to find the root of why it’s happening. This constant agitation can cause an increase in hair fall, causing early-onset thinning/balding (alopecia)--regardless of gender. You can learn more about how to avoid hair fall here or how to use apple cider vinegar for dandruff here. Your scalp is still skin, so it is vulnerable to outside irritants, and yet we don’t really protect it like we do our face. Reading up about how scalp conditions like scalp acne can actually be contributing to the alopecia levels is very illuminating-- read more here.

Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products. 

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We hope you learned something about your hair care routine, and how not every product works for everyone. Your hair and its health is something that can be overlooked, but it is just as important as your skin care routine! Good luck!