Research collected by OVO Stylist/contributing blogger Nikki Bentley with suggested Bumble and Bumble products available at OVO Salon:
8 Hair Myths, Busted
Hair myths circulate like urban legends, but which horror stories are just hype? Before you toss your favorite shampoo or swear off color, separate fact from fiction.
1. True or False? Frequent Trims Make Your Hair Grow Faster
FALSE. Hair grows from the roots, not the tips. A trim removes split ends to prevent them from moving farther up the hair shaft, saving you from having to cut more to eliminate the damage. Keep your hair healthy in the first place with conditioning treatments and heat protectors. (such as Bumble's Mending Masque or Quenching Masque/ Does it All Thermal Styling Spray)
2. True or False? Brushing Your Hair Often Makes It Healthier
FALSE. Brushing your hair 100 times before bed won't make your hair look any better. In fact, it might make it look worse. Over-brushing can dull hair by destroying the cuticle, as well as causing split ends and breakage. And using the wrong tool could further harm hair. In general, plastic and metal bristles can weaken the hair cuticle and cause damage or static and flyaways, so consider switching to a gentle brush with natural boar bristles. Stick to just enough brushing to keep your hair from becoming tangled -- the brush should be able to move through the hair with ease . For some, that might mean as little as a few strokes just once or twice a day.
3. True or False? Massaging Your Scalp Stimulates Hair Growth
FALSE. Scalp massage can increase blood circulation, decrease stress and help distribute the scalp's natural oils onto the hair, all of this may lead to better functioning of the cells that are creating hair follicles, so your hair grows at its optimal rate -- however, that rate will not increase. On average, hair grows a half inch every month.
4. True or False? Wearing a Ponytail in the Same Area Can Give You a Bald Spot
TRUE. "The effect is called traction alopecia. The constant tugging by a tight band can scar hair follicles and cause them to stop growing new hair," says Doris Day, a dermatologist in N.Y.C. She suggests switching pony positions daily to alleviate tension. Tie back hair with a soft elastic band and wrap the ponytail as loosely as possible. It's not just ponytails that can be the culprit, either -- headbands, braids and barrettes may result in similar damage when repeatedly worn in the same spot.
5. True or False? A Cold Rinse Adds Shine and Tames Frizz
TRUE. A blast of cold water at the end of your shower can make hair appear shinier because it temporarily helps the cuticle flatten down onto the hair shaft, but the results might not last if you don't properly dry your hair. Make sure the cuticle remains flat by applying a deep conditioner or silicone-based product to seal it.
6. True or False? Hair Can Become Immune to Shampoo
FALSE. Shampoo will always do its job: clean. So why does it seem like your favorite bottle suddenly stops working? Shampoo contains ingredients that condition and provide styling benefits, but it can also leave a residue that builds up. If you start to notice dullness, use a clarifying shampoo (Bumble Sunday shampoo) a few times a month to remove accumulated product .
7. True or False? Coloring Can Change Your Hair's Texture
TRUE. Temporarily, of course -- but sometimes for the better. Permanent color removes the protective layer on your hair and lifts the cuticles so dyes are able to penetrate while semipermanent dye deposits color onto hair and is less harsh. Both methods have benefits. Color can swell the hair shaft and give it body. The change is especially noticeable on women with fine or thinning hair, as well as those with gray roots.
8. It's Your Call ... Is Coloring Hair During Pregnancy Dangerous?
"Check with your doctor first, especially if you have allergies, but it's probably not harmful. However, you should wait until the second half of your pregnancy when the baby is fully formed," says Eileen Krim of Northern Obstetrics and Gynecology in North Hills, N.Y. Can't go another second without a color fix? Try highlights because the color is applied off the scalp, where the dye isn't being absorbed into the body.
Love in the know,
The OVO Stylist Team.
