When you're desperate to promote hair growth , it's easy to fall prey to misconceptions. Many hair care tips circulate, but not all of them are reliable! In this article, we separate fact from fiction and expose the biggest hair-related fake news stories.
1) Hair grows faster when you cut it!
That's false! In reality, hair growth occurs at the root, with a natural cycle that includes three distinct phases: the hair growth phase, the resting phase, and the shedding phase. Each hair that falls out naturally is replaced by a new one that grows little by little, directly from the hair follicle located under the skin of our scalp.
Trimming the ends of your hair doesn't affect growth at the roots. However, trimming the ends eliminates split ends and prevents breakage of the hair fiber! If split ends aren't treated, they can break off on their own, giving the impression that the hair isn't growing. Weakened hair therefore needs a revitalizing trim before the damaged ends travel upwards and create a messy appearance with uneven lengths!
2) Hair grows more when it is brushed often
It's time to demystify the link between brushing your hair and its growth. This belief stems from the fact that many people confuse hair health with hair growth. But hair doesn't grow faster if you brush it more often; that's simply not true. In reality, brushing plays a role in the overall health of your hair. It helps distribute natural oils, remove impurities from the scalp, and detangle knots. However, it doesn't alter the natural hair growth cycle in any way.
Be aware that this belief can even have a negative effect on your hair. Excessive brushing can weaken or even break the hair fiber, weaken the hair structure, and, when the pulling is too intense, lead to hair loss.
3) Hair growth is the same for everyone
At first glance, thinking that hair growth is the same for everyone might seem logical since most people experience continuous growth, but the reality is quite different: the speed of hair growth is closely linked to genetics and varies from person to person. Indeed, each individual possesses a unique genetic makeup that determines the speed of the hair growth cycle. But genetics isn't the only factor that plays a role in hair growth: general health, hair care routines, diet, and hormonal fluctuations are other factors that can influence the rate at which hair grows.
Discover 5 resolutions to adopt for faster growth in our dedicated article >
4) Hair grows faster in summer
Many people believe their hair grows faster in the summer, but in reality, this isn't the case! While hair may appear shinier during this period, the length doesn't change. Several factors contribute to the illusion of longer hair in the summer:
- The humidity in the air is higher, which makes the hair softer and fuller, giving the impression that it is longer.
- Reducing the use of heated styling tools decreases breakage at the ends, giving the impression that hair grows faster.
- There is seasonal hair loss which is more frequent in autumn, therefore, in summer, less hair falls out, giving the illusion of longer hair.
- In summer, we spend more time outdoors, exposed to the sun, which provides an extra dose of vitamin D to the hair and therefore makes it more beautiful.
- During this season, we tend to pay more attention to our hair care routine by adapting our treatments; our hair is pampered and looks healthier.
In reality, the rate of hair growth remains constant throughout the year and is not influenced by the seasons. The variations observed are due to weather conditions and the care provided during this period.
5) Hair sometimes stops growing
The myth that hair growth sometimes stops stems from a misinterpretation of the natural hair cycle. In reality, hair doesn't suddenly stop growing, but rather goes through a continuous cycle of growth, rest, and shedding. The hair life cycle comprises three phases:
- Anagen (growth phase): This phase usually lasts from 2 to 7 years, the hair grows actively at about 1 to 1.5 cm per month.
- Catagen (transition phase): This is a short period of about 2 to 3 weeks, where hair growth slows down and the hair follicle shrinks.
- Telogen (resting phase): During this phase, the follicle rests for approximately 3 months, and the hair eventually falls out naturally. At the end of this phase, the growth cycle begins again with the appearance of new hairs in the anagen phase.
But be aware that hair doesn't all go through the same phases at the same time; of course, your hair won't all fall out at once. It's normal to lose a certain amount of hair each day (around 50 to 100) as older hairs transition from the resting phase to the shedding phase, and new hairs enter the growth phase. It may seem that hair growth stops when it reaches a certain length or when it goes through a phase where it appears to be stagnating. In reality, this isn't a cessation of growth, but rather a natural transition in the hair's life cycle.
