8 Myths About Hair

Is common hair advice actually backed by science? Most of the time, no. Many of the “8 Myths About Hair” you hear in Australian salons or see on social media are simply old stories or misreadings of how the body works. They often sound believable, but they can push you to buy products you don’t need or follow routines that might be doing your hair more harm than good.

Below, we look closely at the most stubborn myths, from the “magic” of frequent trims to the supposed dangers of washing your hair every day. Once you understand how hair really grows, gets its colour, and reacts to sun, heat, and water, you can stop guessing and start giving your hair what it actually needs in tough Australian conditions.

What Are the Most Persistent Myths About Hair?

Haircare advice can feel like a never-ending game of “telephone.” A tiny bit of truth gets passed around and twisted until it barely resembles the original idea. One common belief is that hair is “alive” along its full length and can “learn” or become “immune” to products. In reality, the hair shaft-the part you see and style-is dead tissue. This simple fact explains why a lot of popular claims fall apart when you look at them closely.

Other myths are about the scalp and follicles, which are very much alive and active. Mistakes here can be more harmful, because they might lead people to ignore real scalp problems or skip proper cleaning. Myths about plucking grey hairs, brushing hair 100 times a day, or “training” your scalp are still shaping people’s habits even though science does not support them.

Why Do Hair Myths Stick Around in Australia?

Australia’s mix of lifestyle and climate helps keep these myths going. With a strong “do it yourself” attitude and weather that swings from sticky tropical heat to dry desert air, Aussies are always on the hunt for ways to handle frizz, sun damage, and salt-water knots. When a “miracle tip” pops up on TikTok or in café chats, it’s easy to take it at face value instead of checking if it’s true.

The amount of bad information online doesn’t help. From lemon juice and mayonnaise “treatments” to claims about hair “detoxing,” myths spread faster than ever. Many people use these quick tricks because they feel easier and cheaper than seeing a professional, even though the wrong advice can cause long-term dryness, breakage, or scalp irritation.

Myth 1: Cutting Your Hair Frequently Makes It Grow Faster

This is one of the longest-running grooming myths. The idea is that “trimming the ends” somehow makes the roots work harder. In reality, hair growth happens only at the scalp. Follicles-the tiny sacs where hair forms-do not get any signal from what happens at the tips of your hair, which are basically dead fibres.

Think of hair like grass: mowing makes your lawn look neat, but it doesn’t change how fast the roots push up new blades. Hair works the same way. Your growth rate is set by genetics, hormones, and general health, not by how often you sit in the salon chair.

Does Regular Trimming Change How Fast Hair Grows?

No. Trimming does not speed up growth. If you are growing your hair and cut it every four weeks, you might just be staying the same length.

However, trims are still very useful. They remove split ends. If splits are left alone, they can travel up the strand and cause breakage higher up. This makes the hair look thinner, rougher, and shorter over time.

A general guide for growing hair is a trim every 8-12 weeks. This keeps the ends neat and reduces fraying, so your hair looks fuller and longer. The growth is the same, but because you’re not losing length to breakage, it can appear to grow faster.

How Does Hair Growth Actually Work?

Hair grows in four main stages:

• Anagen: growth phase

• Catagen: short changing phase

• Telogen: resting phase

• Exogen: shedding phase

During anagen, the follicle is busy creating new hair. This phase lasts about 2-7 years. Your genes decide how long it lasts, which is why some people can grow hair down their back, while others feel it never gets past the shoulders.

Things like diet and blood flow to the scalp have more impact on this cycle than the length of your ends. Gentle scalp massage can help boost blood flow to the hair bulb, bringing nutrients that support stronger strands. Products that promise to “feed the roots” with ingredients like pea sprout extract or blue-green algae are trying to support the follicle, not the dead ends.

Myth 2: Frequent Shampooing Damages Your Hair

With trends like the “no-poo” method and the rise of dry shampoo, many people now believe that washing hair often is always harmful. The story goes that daily shampooing strips away natural oils and causes lasting damage. While some hair types can feel dry if washed too often, the idea that frequent washing is always bad is false.

In many cases, the real problem is not washing enough. Skipping washes can lead to a build-up of dead skin, product, pollution, and bacteria on the scalp. This can cause irritation and inflammation, which is far worse for hair health than a gentle daily shampoo. A clean scalp is like healthy soil-hair grows better from it.

Is Daily Washing Wrong for Everyone?

No. How often you wash should match your hair type, activity level, and where you live.

• If you exercise daily, surf often, or live in a polluted city, washing every day can help remove sweat, salt, and grime.

• If your hair is fine or your scalp is oily, daily washing may keep your hair fresh and prevent it from looking flat and greasy.

• If your hair is thick, curly, or very textured, daily washing can be too drying. Every few days or once a week often works better.

Pay attention to your scalp. If it feels oily, itchy, or coated, it’s time to wash.

Which Shampoo Ingredients Should You Avoid?

The act of washing is not the enemy-harsh formulas are. Some shampoos use strong sulfates that can be too stripping. High levels of drying alcohol in styling products and pre-stylers can also cause tight, brittle hair. If your skin is sensitive, certain fragrances or preservatives can trigger scalp irritation, which may later affect hair growth.

Focus on finding a shampoo that suits your hair and scalp. Look for options that clean well but are gentle and hydrating, and avoid heavy silicones if you struggle with buildup. Remember:

ProductMain JobShampooClean the scalp and remove oil, sweat, and productConditionerSoften and protect mid-lengths and ends

Myth 3: Stress Turns Hair Grey Overnight

Stories about leaders or people under intense stress going grey overnight are dramatic, but not true in a literal sense. Once hair has grown out of the follicle, its colour is set. For hair to look grey, coloured strands have to shed and be replaced by new, colourless ones-this takes time.

Extreme stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where more hairs than usual shift into the shedding stage. If you are already on your way to going grey, the hair that grows back after a stressful period may be grey because pigment production has slowed or stopped in some follicles.

Does Stress Actually Cause Grey Hair?

Evidence for stress directly causing grey hair is weak. Long-term stress can speed up aging in general, but it does not magically create grey hair overnight. It may slightly speed up a process your genes have already set in motion. If early greying runs in your family, it will probably happen to you at a similar age, whether or not your job is stressful.

Some studies suggest stress can make the loss of coloured hairs show up more clearly, so you notice the grey more. It can feel like a sudden change, even if the process has been building quietly for a while.

What Really Controls Hair Colour Changes?

Hair colour comes from melanin, the same pigment that gives skin its shade. Pigment-making cells in the follicle (melanocytes) slowly slow down with age and eventually stop. When that happens, new hair growing from that follicle appears grey or white.

Other things that can affect hair appearance include:

• Hormone changes

• Certain medicines

• Lack of nutrients such as iron or Vitamin D

Still, for most people, finding those first silver strands is mostly about age and genetics, not a sign that you must suddenly change your whole life.

Myth 4: Conditioner Causes Greasy or Limp Hair

People with fine or oily hair often skip conditioner because they think it will make their hair greasy by lunchtime. Oily hair comes from too much sebum (natural oil) produced by the scalp, not from conditioner used properly. Conditioner’s main job is to add moisture and protection so strands don’t snap and frizz.

When you skip conditioner completely, the cuticle-the outer layer of each hair-stays raised and rough. This makes hair more likely to tangle, break, and look dull, which some people wrongly blame on shampoo or “dirty” hair.

Should You Avoid Conditioner If Your Hair Is Oily?

No. Even with oily roots, your ends still need care. The key is where and how you apply it.

• Do not put conditioner on your scalp if you get greasy quickly.

• Apply it from mid-lengths to ends only.

• Use a smaller amount and rinse well.

If your hair is very fine, choose a “volumising” or “lightweight” conditioner, which feels less heavy. Rinsing with cool water at the end can help smooth the cuticle, hold in moisture, and add shine without extra oil.

How to Pick the Right Conditioner for Your Hair Type

Choosing a conditioner is like picking a face moisturiser-different types suit different needs:

Hair TypeBest Conditioner StyleDry / CurlyRich, creamy formulas with oils and butters for softness and curl definitionChemically treated / ColouredColour-safe, smoothing formulas that seal the cuticle and help reduce fadingFine / OilyLightweight or volumising, applied only to mid-lengths and ends“Normal” hairRegular conditioner every second wash, or a light leave-in spray

If your hair feels flat and coated, you may be using too much product or not rinsing it out fully.

Myth 5: You Should Keep Switching Shampoos or Your Hair Gets ‘Used To’ It

Many people notice a new shampoo works wonderfully at first, then seems to stop doing much. This often leads to the belief that hair “gets used to” a product. But hair cannot adapt in that way-it’s not alive along the shaft, so it can’t build up resistance or memory.

When a shampoo stops giving you the same results, it’s usually because your hair, scalp, or surroundings have changed, or because there is buildup on your strands.

Can Hair Become ‘Immune’ to Shampoo?

No. What actually happens in many cases is buildup. Some shampoos and conditioners include silicones, waxes, or heavy oils that slowly coat the hair. After a while, hair can feel heavy, dull, or greasy quicker.

A clarifying shampoo used once in a while can remove this buildup and “reset” your hair so your usual shampoo feels effective again.

Another common situation: you start using a repairing or protein-rich product on damaged hair. Once the hair is as repaired as it can be, continuing with the same heavy formula can make it feel stiff, crunchy, or dry. Your hair’s condition has changed, so its needs have too.

When Should You Change Your Hair Routine?

Change your routine when your hair or scalp tells you something is different. For example:

• Season changes: In hot, humid summers you might want a clarifying shampoo; in dry winters, a more hydrating one.

• Life changes: Pregnancy, menopause, new medications, or starting the gym can all affect your hair and scalp.

• Water quality: Moving to an area with hard water can cause more buildup or dryness.

A handy habit is to review your hair at the end of each bottle. Ask:

• Is my scalp itchy or flaky?

• Do my ends feel dry or rough?

• Has my curl pattern or texture shifted?

Adjust your routine to match these answers instead of swapping brands at random.

Myth 6: Plucking Out One Grey Hair Makes More Grow Back

This myth has made plenty of people leave that first grey hair alone out of fear. The story says that if you pluck one, two or three more will appear in its place. In truth, each follicle works alone. Pulling a hair from one follicle doesn’t affect the colour cells in nearby follicles.

If this myth were real, people with thinning hair would pull out existing strands to trigger more growth-but that doesn’t happen.

What Actually Happens When You Pluck Grey Hairs?

When you pluck a grey hair, you just remove that one strand. Since that follicle is already producing grey hair (it has stopped making pigment), the next hair from that same follicle will also be grey.

It often feels like more greys appear right after plucking, but in reality, time is passing and more follicles are naturally reducing their pigment. You also start looking more closely once you’ve noticed the first grey, so you spot others you might have ignored before.

Can Plucking Cause Hair Loss?

Repeated plucking in the same spot can irritate and injure the follicle. Ongoing damage can lead to scarring, and the follicle may eventually stop producing hair at all.

This is one reason why over-plucked brows from the 90s don’t always grow back fully. For single grey hairs you really can’t stand, it is safer to cut them close to the root with small scissors instead of pulling them out.

Myth 7: Brushing Your Hair 100 Strokes a Day Improves Its Health

The old idea of brushing your hair 100 times each night to get shine sounds romantic but is rough on real hair. Brushing does help detangle and move natural oils down the hair shaft. But too much brushing creates friction, which wears down the cuticle and leads to split ends and frizz.

If your hair is fine or thinning, 100 strokes a day can also pull on the roots too often and increase shedding from mechanical stress.

Does Over-Brushing Harm Hair?

Yes. Every pass of the brush rubs against the hair surface. Doing this too many times is like lightly sanding the hair. This problem gets worse with stiff bristles or rough brushing.

Common mistakes include:

• Using harsh brushes, like stiff boar bristles, too aggressively

• Brushing from roots to ends through tough knots instead of starting at the tips

• Brushing wet hair with a regular brush

Wet hair stretches more easily and breaks faster. Use a wide-toothed comb or a brush made for wet hair, and always start from the ends, working upward.

How Much Brushing Is Enough?

“Just enough to detangle” is usually best. For most people, a gentle brush once in the morning and once at night is plenty. Use tools that are kind to your hair, such as:

• Paddle brushes with flexible, ball-tipped bristles

• Wide-toothed combs

• Detangling brushes made for wet hair

Light scalp brushing or massage can help increase blood flow to hair bulbs, which supports growth, but it should always feel comfortable, not scratchy or painful. If you have curls, you might only detangle when your hair is wet with conditioner in it, and avoid dry brushing so you don’t puff your curls into frizz.

Myth 8: Air-Drying Hair Is Always Better Than Blow-Drying

At first glance, it seems obvious that no heat is better than heat. But newer studies show it’s not so simple. Very hot blow-drying can roughen the cuticle, but staying wet for too long can harm the inner part of the hair.

When hair is wet, it swells. If it stays swollen for hours, the inner structure is under pressure, which can weaken the proteins that hold the hair together. In some cases, this slow damage can be worse than a short, careful blow-dry.

Is Air-Drying Always Healthier than Heat Styling?

Not always. In humid parts of Australia, hair might take many hours to fully dry. During that time, it is softer, weaker, and more likely to stretch and break. Going to bed with wet hair adds friction from the pillow into the mix, which can cause more snapping.

A damp scalp for long periods can also be a better place for bacteria or yeast to grow, which may cause itchiness or flakes in some people.

A balanced method often works best:

1. Let hair dry naturally until it’s about 70-80% dry.

2. Finish with a blow-dryer on low or medium heat.

This shortens the time hair stays swollen while still keeping heat exposure fairly low.

When Is Blow-Drying the Better Choice?

Blow-drying is helpful when you want to smooth the cuticle, shape the style, or dry the hair quickly and evenly. To protect your hair:

• Use a heat protectant spray or cream first.

• Keep the dryer about 15 cm away from your head.

• Keep the dryer moving instead of holding it on one spot.

• Use a nozzle attachment so airflow goes down the hair shaft, not against it.

Many modern dryers have adjustable heat settings and ionic technology. Using a lower or medium heat and an ionic dryer can reduce drying time and cut down on frizz, making the process kinder to your hair.

What Happens If You Believe Hair Myths?

Believing these myths doesn’t just lead to bad hair days. It can cost you money and affect your scalp health. Many people spend a lot on “miracle” pills or trendy shampoos for quick results, when they would do better with a balanced diet, gentle products, and patience. Constantly swapping products because of myths can also upset your scalp’s balance and make problems worse.

Myths can also hide real medical issues. For example, calling every flaky scalp “dandruff” (usually linked to excess oil and yeast) might push you towards harsh anti-dandruff shampoos. If your issue is actually a dry scalp (lack of moisture, not oil), strong anti-dandruff products can make it drier and more irritated, and in some cases lead to temporary hair thinning.

How Misinformation Can Damage Hair

Bad advice can cause minor surface damage or more serious, long-term harm. Examples include:

• Lemon juice “highlights”: High acid plus strong Australian sun can strip moisture and leave hair brittle and rough.

• “Dirty hair colours better”: A little natural oil can protect the scalp during bleaching, but heavy product buildup and grime can stop colour from taking evenly, leading to patchy or dull results.

• DIY “natural” masks: Coconut oil or mayonnaise might help some hair types but can clog pores or trigger breakouts for others.

Home experiments without proper knowledge can cause scalp infections, contact allergies, or burns that need medical treatment.

Where to Get Reliable Hair Advice

If you want solid information, it’s best to turn to people trained in hair and scalp science (trichology) and skin health. Good options include:

• Hairstylists: They see your hair often and can spot changes in condition, density, or breakage patterns.

• Dermatologists: For serious shedding or scalp problems, they can run blood tests for iron, Vitamin D, thyroid function, and hormones, and check for skin conditions.

Hair research is moving forward all the time. Recent work has looked at links between creatine supplements and DHT levels, and at how rosemary oil compares with low-strength minoxidil in some cases.

Haircare is also moving closer to skincare ideas, with more focus on:

• Scalp serums and tonics

• Products that support a healthy scalp microbiome

• Personalised routines based on water quality, lifestyle, and genetics

As this happens, old myths about 100 brush strokes, “immune” hair, and “magic” trims are slowly fading out, making room for routines based on real science and what your own hair and scalp actually need.

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