There’s a lot of information out on the internet for hair care. I mean, A LOT. When looking for answers to your questions, you stumble upon so many people and sources, even some directly contradicting each other. Include the old wives’ tales and other info you learned when you were young, you probably some hair misconceptions floating around in your hair.
That’s okay. We’ve compiled 20 of the most common hair myths to debunk them. Get ready to have everything you knew about hair changed.
Cutting your hair certainly does not make your hair grow faster. Your hair is essentially dead cells and grows from the roots. Snipping the ends only serve to make your hair shorter.
That said, it is to trim your hair regularly. Getting your hair cut every 2-3 months will eliminate split ends. If left untreated, split ends can climb up your hair shaft and result in more breakage. Along with getting rid of split ends, trimming your ends will shear your thinning tips and make your hair appear thicker.
If you want to lose your hair faster. Overbrushing can actually lead to increased breakage and shedding. Brushing, like any hair manipulation, can damage your hair and make it weaker. Only brush your hair as much as needed and for most people, every day is too much.
No, your hair does not get used to products and you don’t need to switch it up just because. If any company tells you this, they’re just trying to get you to buy something (although we welcome you to buy as many Hair Meds as you want.)
If your products do not work all of a sudden, they are better explanations. Weather, health, dietary changes, stress, and more can contribute to changes to your hair product efficacy. Consider any changes in your surrounding and life when evaluating and picking your products. Sometimes, you just need a product to fit your mood!
Well, no. If you pluck gray hair, only a single hair strand can take its place. Rather, gray hair is just a sign that your body is changing. Once you see gray hair, expect more to appear as your hair naturally sheds. Plucking hairs can lead to bald spots. If you’re starting to see grey hairs, consider a safe hair dye or just embrace your natural silver streak.
This one’s somewhat true, but misleading. Stress will not instantly turn your hair grey. However, if your family has a predisposition of gray hair, stress can accelerate the greying process. Don’t worry young ones out there. Grey hairs, no matter your stress levels, only occur in your thirties at the earliest.
Shampooing your hair every day may seem like a great idea to keep your hair clean and healthy. In reality, shampooing this much could actually be making your hair weaker. Shampoo strips your hair of your natural oils, leading to dry and brittle hair.
That being said, some people take this to the other extreme and refuse to wash their hair. The rising popularity of co-washing shows this. However, washing your hair is necessary for a good hair care routine. When you forgo washing your hair, product build-up and debris can block your pores, slowing hair growth. Also, your hair will stink!
You want to find a good balance of shampooing based on your situation. If you are more active, have thinner hair, or have medically related hair issues, you may need to shampoo more often. For most people 1 or 2 times a week a good rule of thumb.
Your shampoos lather because of specific ingredients, usually sulfates. Shampoos, like ours at Hair Meds, forego sulfates and other foaming agents since those ingredients can be harmful to your hair. Cleansing comes from ingredients, not foam. So even if your shampoo does not foam as much as before, that’s okay! Your hair is still getting cleaner.
Shampoo is mainly needed to clean your scalp and is best used there unless your hair is particularly dirty.
On the other hand, conditioner is meant to moisturize hair. Your hair is driest at the ends where oil cannot reach. When applying conditioner, focus on your ends. Putting too much conditioner on your scalp can clog your pores. If that happens, you’ll have to shampoo your scalp again...
Again, everyone needs a conditioner. People with fine hair certainly need conditioners because fine hair is more likely to snap. Some people with fine hair steer away from conditioner is because they feel it weighs down their hair. To avoid this feeling, look for lightweight water-based conditioners and be cautious of heavier ingredients like shea butter.
Your hair color has nothing to do with your hair growth rates. Blonde hair is often thinner and finer, making it more likely to break. However, as long as you take care of your hair, it will grow no matter your hair color.
As much as we wish this were the case, it’s unfortunately not true. We love braids at Hair Meds, but braids themselves do not speed up your hair growth. Something believes the tugging on your hair pulls it out faster, kind out like pulling on a turnip.
If you feel like braids make your hair grows faster, what really is happening is that your hair is breaking less. Protective styles, like braids and ponytails, tuck away your ends and reduce breakage. You can read more about why you should wear protective styles here.
Normally when you see flakes of any kind, you may think “that’s dandruff. That must mean your hair is dry.” However, flakes can be caused by different causes. Dandruff, specifically, is caused by seborrheic dermatitis which is a result of OILY HAIR. That’s right, people with dandruff actually have too much oil.
To tell the difference keep this end mind: Large, yellow flakes and oily skin is dandruff. Small, white flakes and an itchy scalp is a dry scalp.
All hair types need conditioners. Your scalp will naturally produce an oil called sebum, but that oil only does so much. Oily hair is not caused by too much conditioner and can be treated by using a good clarifying shampoo. If you have oily hair, apply conditioner only to your ends as to not overly moisten your roots.
There is no proof that finishing your shower with a cold rinse adds shine to your hair. However, washing your hair, in general, helps rinse away residue and dirt, making your hair look shinier.
A little morbid, but this one does come up at times. No, your hair does not continue to grow after you die. The best explanation of this superstition is that when you die, your body dehydrates and the skin starts to shrivel up. As it contracts, it can make your hair look longer in comparison to your body.
It’s hard to call one method better or worse because they cause a different type of damage. While blow-drying causes more damage to the outside of your hair strands, air-drying causes more damage to the inside.
Here’s what happening. When you air-dry your hair, water remains in your hair strands for longer, causing them to expand. This stresses out your hair proteins, leaving them more susceptible to damage.
A safe way to dry your wet hair is to use a blow drier on the lowest heat. Use a diffuser to spread out the heat and move your arm constantly as to not stay in one place too long.
Biologically, there is no difference between men's and women’s hair (we told you Hair Meds are for everyone.) Men and women do care for their hair differently, cause their hair to look differently. Also, society definitely has different expectations on hair for men and women, so functionally, they might as well be two different worlds.
Hats, by themselves, do not necessarily lead to hair loss. Tight hats, however, can cause added hair manipulation that can lead to hair alopecia. As long as you wear a loose hat, go ahead and put it on during a sunny day.
The sad truth is that split ends can never be repaired. No product or method can fix split ends. The best way to deal with split ends to cut them immediately to prevent them from traveling up your strands. Keeping your hair healthy and moisturized is the only way to avoid split ends. Make sure you regularly use a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and detangling your hair during your hair care routine.
So what myth did we dispel for you? Got any that we missed? Share your most heard myths and misconceptions in the comments.
]]>Well, no more! After today, you’ll know common sources of breakage and how to treat them. Follow these tips and watch as your healthy, long hair grows.
One common mistake is to mix up shedding with breakage. Shedding is when your hair strands fall off your hair. This is completely natural and, in fact, you shed 50-100 strands every day. To tell if your shedding, look at the strands that fall out of your hair. Shedding hairs are full strands that often a little white at the end where they broke off your follicle.
On the other hand, breakage looks like shorter strands or pieces of hair. This is because your hair is snapping at the ends rather than falling out completely like shedding. Breakage is when weak hair breaks off. It usually occurs with dry, damaged hair that is tangled or full of split ends. Unlike shedding, you can minimize breakage to near-zero.
Moisture is the key to length. In fact, the point bears repeating. Moisture is the KEY to length.
Dry hair is prone to breaking and snapping. Dryness may be a cause of damage or weather condition, but can still be treated with a proper hair care routine.
It all starts with conditioners and a variety of them. First, use a daily rinse-out conditioner for replenishing your hair while showering. Next, applying a leave-in conditioner throughout the week will allow your hair to retain its luster in between wash days. Be sure to seal in your conditioner with hair oil to make sure all that goodness is locked in.
Over-exposure to heat is another surefire way to dry your hair out. Not only can heat leave your hair brittle and easily breakable, but it can also cause long-term damage to your hair.
Avoid exposing your hair to heat if you can. Stay away from flat irons. Opt to air dry your hair instead of blow-drying. If you use a blow-dry, use a diffuser to lessen the heat intensity.
Manipulation can come in many shapes and forms. Combing, wearing hats and scarves, playing with your hair (I know I’m guilty of this one). However, every time you touch your hair, you run the risk of creating a new split end.
To be frank, keep your hands out of your hair. Brush and detangle only when needed. The old wives’ tale of “100 strokes will keep your hair beautiful” is not the case. When you do detangle your hair, use a light conditioner to soften your hair and provide slip. Detangle only on damp hair. Not too wet and not too dry. Last, brush from the ends and work your way up to the roots. This will also you to unknot without too much tension, which can cause breakage.
How you treat your hair when you sleep matters too. Normal, cotton pillowcases are rough on your hair. When you toss and turn at night, the fiction can lead to frizz and breakage. Invest in a satin headscarf or bonnet. If head raps aren’t your thing, then satin or silk pillowcases work just as well along with helping retain moisture in your hair and skin.
Protective styles are one of the best ways of preventing breakage. By tucking in your fragile ends, you nearly ensure your hair will remain healthy and long. Best of all, there are a variety of protective styles you can get based on your hair and style needs.
Often overlooked, what you eat plays a major part in your hair health. Water in your body is just as good as water on your hair, so drink at least 2 liters or 8 glasses a day. Alongside water, here are the best nutrients for hair health.
With these 5 tips, you should see a drastic reduction in hair breakage. Now go out and flaunt your long crown!
]]>When looking around for products, you've definitely run into these terms. 4C? 3A? 2B? Are these codes for a vending machine?
No, these "secret codes" refer to your hair type or curl pattern. Knowing your curl pattern can help you better understand how your hair works and the best ways to treat it. Unsure of what your hair type is? Don't sweat it! In this blog are tons of examples you can compare with your own hair.
When determining your hair type, it's best to look at your hair when it is dry with no products in it. That way, your hair is at its most natural. Once you wash your hair with clarifying shampoo and let it dry, you can see your true hair type.
Hair Types can be separated into 4 categories:
From there, each type can be further broken down by how tight or loose they are with A being the loosest, B in the middle, and C the tightest. It may be a little confusing, but today I’ll go over each category so you can identify your hair type.
Hair in this category is straight as a needle. Technically, there are 1A, 1B, and 1C hair types. However, the difference is minor. Type 1 hair makes it easy for natural oils to coat your strands, maybe a little too easy. People with type 1 hair will need to wash their hair the most often and use lighter, water-based products.
2A hair is fine and slightly wavy. The hair can be easily straightened and curled (with help from some products and techniques). People with 2A hair may experience flat, lifeless-looking hair. So, steer clear of heavy products and opt for lighter ones that won’t weigh down your strands.
2B hair is a defined S-shape. Waviness is more apparent starting midway down the strand going towards the end. The strands are thicker than 2A, but still easily able to be straightened.
Thick and wavy, 2C hair is close to naturally curling up. Easy to curl, yet also easy to frizz, 2C hair needs to be careful around heat to avoid frizzing.
Loose curls that you can poke a couple fingers through. Extensive brushing can disrupt the curl pattern and lead to fly-away frizz.
Tighter curls around the size of a marker. Often springy, 3B hair will need moisture to retain those curls. Look for products with humectants like honey to draw water into your strands.
3C hair is dense, tightly packed corkscrew curls. The curls are quite narrow and may become knotted with out regular detangling and moisture.
4A hair features tight coils that are around the size of an AAA battery. Out of all the type 4 hair types, 4A has the least shrinkage and easiest time achieving curl definition.
Z-shaped hair. Type 4B curly are tightly coiled. It’s often hard to achieve well-defined curls and is prone to tangling.
The most densely coiled hair of all. To many, 4C hair feels like its own category. 4C coils are compact, easily tangling and knotting up. 4C hair also experiences extreme shrinkage, up to 75% in some cases.
Those with 4C hair need to regularly detangle their hair to prevent split ends and undo shrinkage. Also, heavy moisturizing is a must to reduce breakage.
Now you know what your hair type is. Understanding your hair type, along with your hair porosity, are key to selecting the right products and creating a haircare routine for your needs. You have any more questions about how to treat your hair, read more of our hair care tips or contact us!
]]>When you first walk out of the salon, you feel beautiful with your fresh new braids. After putting up more time (and money) than you would have liked, you want to see your new investment last for a good amount of time. In an effort to prolong your look, you tell your hairstylist to tighten your braids just once turn less than it would take to make you cry. But, in the long run, that does you more harm than good.
Instead of risking damaging your hair, there are steps you can take before, during, and after getting your braids that will keep them looking fresh for longer.
Many people skip this step when getting braids, going into the salon with their hair as is. Next time you get braids, you need to moisturize and clean your hair and scalp beforehand. Braids will tuck away your hair. Great for shielding against environmental damage, but bad for shielding your hair from regular conditioners and shampoo.
Because it will be hard to reach your hard after your braids are in, you need to focus on cleansing your scalp and hydrating your hair as much as possible. Use a clarifying shampoo and deep condition before your next appointment to set yourself up with healthy hair.
I know I just said it’s hard to shampoo and condition your braids, but it’s not impossible. Unlike with your natural hairstyle, you have to focus on your scalp and real hair, not your whole head.
The best way to do this is to get a spray bottle. Fill half of it with your favorite shampoo and the other half with water. Shake up the mixture until it foams up. Spray directly to your scalp and rub it in with your fingertips (not your nails since they can damage your scalp.) Rinse your hair in the shower and ring it out like a towel to out get all the excess water. You can repeat this process with a conditioner to moisturize your hair.
If you need something quick to get you through the day, consider using a braid spray or mousse. A water-based mousse will add moisture and keep your braids shines. A quick spritz of braid spray will hydrate your hair whenever you need it. You can buy braid spray or make your own by diluting your favorite oils and ingredients with water. Witch hazel is particularly effective since it has anti-fungal properties and leaves hair looking vibrant.
Your cotton bedding, although comfortable, may be ruining your braids. The constant rubbing you do at night can lead to frizz and breakage in the morning. To prevent this, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet every night before your go to sleep. If you prefer to leave your hair unwrapped, a silk pillowcase will work too.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little touch-up to keep looking fresh. Since the edge of your hair is the main visible part, focus on making it look neat and sleek. A good styling gel and edge control will help you lay down your baby hairs and tame the new growth at the roots. Rub a little on your roots and style your new hair into your braids for a seamless look.
If you want a more professional look, most hairstylists offer an edge touch-up as well. Not only will this make your hair look salon fresh again, but it will also save you money.
No matter how much you love your braids or how much you paid for them, at some point, you must take them down. Some women try as hard as humanly possible to extend the longevity of their braids by constantly retwisting the new hair. However, retwisting your hair more than 3 times may cause it to lock up. Moreover, having your braids up too long can cause excess tension, which leads to hair loss.
You should keep your braids for 8 weeks at the longest. Anything more and the tension becomes too much. When you take them down, you may run to go immediately book your next appointment. But, slow your roll. Leaving your hair down for at least two weeks is necessary to let your hair relax. Use that time to get a trim, clean your scalp, and assess your next style.
]]>Hair porosity is a measurement of how opened or closed the cuticles on your hair strands are. Porosity can be affected by chemical treatments, genetics, or simply your hair’s age. When you hear the word “porosity”, you may imagine pores like the ones on your face. However, instead of holes, cuticles act more like shingles on roofs, letting in moisture to your hair. When categorizing porosity, there are three main types: low, medium, and high.
Testing your hair porosity at home is simple and will cost you nothing. There are 2 good tests you can try.
After a time has passed, if your hair is floating near the top, you have low porosity hair. If it has sunken to the bottom, then you have high porosity hair. Lastly, if it is somewhere in the middle of the cup, then you have medium porosity hair.
Take a strand of your hair and slide your fingers across it. If it feels smooth and your fingers move effortlessly, then you likely have low porosity hair. On the other hand, if your hair feels rough and bumpy, then you probably have high porosity hair. Those bumps you feel are the open cuticles on your hair.
Now that you know your porosity, you may be wondering “Great! Now, what does this have to do with my dry hair and hair care products”?
Low porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly wound on the hair. As such, it is important to choose products that help open your cuticles and draw in moisture. Look for products with a high amount of humectants like glycerin and honey. Humectants attract water to your hair and can help moisture seep into your tight cuticles. Along with humectants, you want to use heat to open up your cuticles whenever you condition your hair. A steamer, a shower cap in a hot shower, or a warm towel wrap all work. The hot water will open up your cuticles, maximizing the effectiveness of your conditioners.
You want to avoid hair products with added proteins like keratin. Protein will attach itself to your hair, sealing up your already tight cuticles and making it harder for moisture to penetrate. The same applies to thick creams and oils. If you have low porosity hair, you may notice that products sit on your hair, creating product build-up and dry hair. Instead of heavy creams and oils, opt for lighter products like hair milks.
If you have medium porosity hair, then congratulations! Your hair is overall good with any product, properly absorbs and maintains moisture, and can easily handle processing. However, there are still a few tips for your hair. Even though you gain and hold moisture, you still want to use a deep conditioner every week or two to maintain your healthy hair. Also, be careful with the proteins. Your hair likes protein, but not too much. Look for rinse-out conditioners and shampoos with proteins and skip the leave-in with it. Last, your hair takes well to processing and treatments, but be careful. Over-processing your hair can lead to permanent damage and even change your hair porosity.
With high porosity hair, your hair cuticles are highly spaced out, making it easy for moisture to get in, but also easy for it to leave. You may feel as though your hair is always dry no matter how long you soak it or how much conditioner you use. High porosity hair may be a result of over-processing.
To fix this, know that protein treatments are your best friend. Unlike low porosity hair, you want protein to stick to your hair since it will help seal in moisture and repair potential damage. The same thing applies for heavy butters and oils. Coconut, jojoba, and castor oils are great oils for trapping moisture. Thicker leave-in conditions will also be necessary for keeping your hair moist throughout the day. Just make sure to wash your hair with cold or lukewarm water. This will close your cuticles some, making it more likely moisture remains in your hair.
With a better understanding of hair porosity, you will be able to better customize your hair care routine to fit your specific needs. Still have questions? Ask in the comments and we can let you know which Hair Meds product best fits your hair needs.
]]>So, what are protective styles? Any hairdo that tucks away your ends is a protective style. That means braids, twists, buns, chignons, Bantu knots, and even wigs all count as protective styles. There are many ways to style these as well, so you have plenty of options to vary your look.
The roots of your hair are the weakest part and most likely to get damaged. Even the healthiest hair still can be worn down cold wind, sun, and other weather conditions. If you mainly stay indoors, you still need to be concerned by hair manipulation from daily activities like wearing clothes. By wearing your hair in a protective style, you hide these delicate ends, shielding them from harm.
A common reason people wear protective styles is that they believe it makes their hair grow longer. There is merit to this, but perhaps not how you expect. Protective styles themselves do nothing to increase hair growth. Instead, they prevent breakage at the ends which results in the appearance of a lack of hair growth. If you’re having problems with hair growth, this is likely your issue. When your hair is down, your constantly hair grows. On the other hand, your ends get weaker and break at the same rate. The result: no measurable hair growth. So, protect your ends and the growth will come.
Protective styles are good for everyone but especially helpful for those transitioning into natural hair. They should be a regular part of any woman’s hair care regimen. If you have treated or damaged hair and want to go natural, your hair may still be weak from past treatments. Protective styles are a great way to tuck away your damaged ends as your strong, new natural hair grows in.
At most, you should keep your protective style for 8 weeks for a couple of reasons. First, even though these styles are supposed to keep your hair safe, some of them, like braids, can increase tension at your scalp. Pulling for too long can lead to pain and permanent hair loss. After you let it out, it’s best to let your hair sit for at least a week before you go for another protective style.
Second, it’s hair to clean your hair completely while your hair is in a protective style. Product build-up, dirt, and other debris can collect on your scalp if you wait too long. Build-up can clog your pores, slowing down hair growth and potentially leading to infections. It’s best to let your hair down occasionally and use a good, cleansing shampoo to wash out everything.
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Water is one of the best natural remedies for a reason. By surrounding your braids with steam, they will become more elastic, resulting in less tension. That being said, there are many ways you can heat your hair.
Put your hair under a steamer if you have one or ask your stylist if you can use theirs. A quick 10-minute steam will loosen your braids and relieve your pain. If you’re unable to use a steamer, a hot shower will work too. Let your hair soak and feel the irritation fade away. To maximize your relief, make sure to use a high-quality conditioner. Your hair will soften up and loosen quicker. A hot towel works too if you want to don’t want to hop in the shower. Just soak a towel in hot water and wrap it around your hair for at least 10 minutes.
Regular scalp massages should be a must-do part of your braid maintenance routine. They promote blood circulation and shift hair away from the scalp, providing pain relief. First, apply a braid oil or natural oil of your choice to your scalp. Next, gently rub your scalp with your fingertips, focusing on the most irritated areas. Spend a minute or two each day loving your scalp and it will love you back.
A solution you can try right now is letting your braids down. Wearing your hair up adds extra tension to your already tight braids. After you get your hair braided, let your hair lay down naturally for at least a week before you style it into a bun or ponytail.
Really, any small, cyclical item would work here. Just make sure it isn’t sharp or pointy. Using your tool, stick it under your braids right where they meet the scalp and gently pull up. If done correctly, you should loosen your braids and reduce tension. Be careful, however. Pull too hard and you may undo your braids and your braider’s hard work.
The last, and maybe most important, solution is to have a conversation with your stylist. The tightness starts with them, so make it easy by treating the problem at the source. Ask your braider to be gentle. If you experience any pain during your styling, ask them to ease up. If your braider repeatedly over-tightens your hair, it’s time to look for a new one. Look for a quality braider and ask before you meet them if they tighten your hair to your liking. Once you find a stylist you like, stick with them for as long as you can.
Now you have five new ways to loosen your braids before you pull your hair out. Try them next time you feel any pain or tension after getting your hair braided or twist.
]]>You leave your braider in pain. You walk through the day feeling like your scalp may come off. You can’t even enjoy the compliments you’re getting because you’re too focused on the pain. You’d love to just sleep it off, but even laying on your pillow is a struggle!
As you reach for a painkiller, it may be tempting to tough it out and fight through it. But braids should never be painful. If they are, that’s the first sign that you’re in the tightness danger zone.
Bumps on your scalp can appear for a variety of reasons. However, if they often show up after getting braids, that may be caused by extreme braid tension. You may notice these red and white, pimple-like bumps on your scale or nape. As your braids pull on your scalp, they cause inflammation around your hair follicles. These bumps are unsightly to look at, not to mention painful. At their worst, the bumps may break and ooze puss.
Although you probably won’t experience this after getting your hair braided once, you may notice bald patches if you regularly get braids or protective styles. Known as traction alopecia, this condition is caused by the constant pulling of the hair follicles.
It is commonly seen on African-American women but can affect anyone who commonly wears braids, twists, ponytails, and other pulling hairstyles. This is most notable around the hairline where the baby hairs begin to thin out. Even if you don’t have traction alopecia yet, you may be risking long-term hair breakage for short term beauty.
Take a look at your braids now. Do you feel any pain, discomfort, or patchy areas? If so, you may have caught a case of the tight braids. But fear not! Now that you know your braids are too tight, there are ways you can loosen them and remedy the pain.
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