Do you sometimes use your imagination to think if regular hair cutting sessions are the appropriate key to making your hair longer and thicker?
Are you at the salon, waiting for the stylist to cut your hair and expecting the hair to grow thicker immediately upon cutting?
For all the superstitions and folklore that have come down through the years, how many of them are not just dead wrong?
Could we have been trimming our hair and beard in vain, or is there more depth to such counsel?
If you are thinking of when to get your next haircut or when to shave your head for a richer hair follicle growth, then here are some myths about haircuts and hair growth that we can bust. This knowledge might help to modify your view on hair growth and, therefore, hair care.
Myth 1: Frequent Haircuts Make Hair Grow Faster
How many times has it been said that in order to achieve longer hair, more hair should be trimmed? It may sound quite paradoxical, does it not? Aren’t you trying to grow out your hair, then why do you trim it as often as possible? It is quite surprising how many people think that their hair grows faster when they cut it more often – this is one of the oldest hair myths out there.
The Truth Behind the Myth
However hair production is at the scalp and not the tips of hair. The hair that you have on your head is actually rooted and it takes around half an inch of hair for it to grow once again, although this depends on your age, your genes and your health. A haircut simply means you are shaving off your hair – literally, particularly the parts that you didn’t know were dead. This must make it appear as though the hair is much healthier and better than before but it does not make them to grow even faster.
The ability to minimize the split end and improve the over all health of hair by trimming it frequently is well known. Those splitting ends can move up the hair shaft and break or snap off which makes it possible for one to think that the hair is not growing. Therefore, contrary to what many people believe, regular trims are not going to contribute to your hair growing faster but they will let your hair grow longer by being healthy and not split ended.
Myth 2: Shaving Your Head Promotes Thicker Hair Growth
Are you planning to star a risky strategy such as shaving your head with the intention of getting thicker hair? It is a radical action and is usually taken armed with the thought that cutting your hair will somehow stimulate hair growth and give you a set of healthy hair.
The Truth Behind the Myth
Closely, you find out that shaving your head is not going to alter the thickness of hair at all. When shaving, you are in most cases cutting the hair at the base area, which is the widest. After some time is grows back and it will appear as if it is thicker because the new growth is blunt and stubbly. But as an outcome, after the growing out of hair, it can regain its natural state or thickness as before.
Density of hair thickness is controlled by the density of hair follicles inherent in every person’s scalp region. Balding your head will not change the follicles or in some way make the follicles produce more hair. Hence, even when a head is bald and regrowing hair, it is not the same thing as having thick hair.
Myth 3: Cutting Your Hair During Certain Phases of the Moon Affects Growth
Do you know a thing or two about the effects of the moon on hair growth? Several folks think that they can increase hair growth if they trim it during the wrong moon, such as the full moon. They opined that, women and those with feminine spirits needed to seclude themselves as the moon was recharged by a new cycle during the nights that followed a full moon.
The Truth Behind the Myth
It is surprisingly arguable with science, but the moon and hair growth is more of a fairytale. Although it is known that moon has some effect on some natural activities such as pulling of tides, it is impossible to say that it can affect hair growing. None of us is a Werewolf; hair growth is a biological process and has nothing to do with phases of the moon.
But if you like association of haircuts with the phases of the lunar calendar as a peculiarity or a psychological stimulus – then do it. And just remember that the shine, growth and thickens of the hair has little to do with the moon and more to do with your hair care regimens.
Myth 4: Cutting Your Hair Makes It Stronger
There is a perception that has been circulating for some time now that having your hair cropped short will make it grow faster and be stronger. Well, come on, when you trim those ends, do you not get, more or less, healthier hair?
The Truth Behind the Myth
Arguments such as cutting your hair does not make it grow; rather, it only trims the little part that complied to grow the necessary length make hair appear healthy and strong are fallacious. Strength is derived from within; this is in relation to the fact that hair strength is as a result of certain factors such as diet, hydration etc.
If you chop your hair, then you are riddance of damaged hair tips, known as split ends, whereby there is no possibility of any more damage being made to it. But I would agree that thickness is a very different thing from strength, the latter being a function of the structure of hair shafts determined by your genes and the treatment provided to them from within and outside. One should ensure that they take foods that are nutritious, with vitamins and minerals, take a lot of water, avoid applying heat or go for chemical treatment that weakens hair.
Fact 1: Regular Trims Can Prevent Split Ends and Breakage
Haircuts thus do not determine hair growth rate, but they are very important when it comes to hair care. It is also important to trim the hair very often because, if they split, that is, they start to break, then the hair will seem thinner and less healthy.
The Importance of Trims
Some people do not take their time to trim the hair, and when the split ends move up the hair shaft some great damage is caused. This results to breakage and you could be forced to trim your hair, making you think that your hair is growing negligible. By cutting your hair after 6-8 weeks you ensure that the split-ends are cut before they split even more hair thus enabling growth of healthy hair.
Fact 2: Hair Growth is Determined by Genetics and Health
Your hair grows and the rate at which it grows depends with the genes you have inherited. Hair growers are individuals who have hair that regrows at a faster rate than others who may have thin hair growing at a slow rate. Also, there are the overall health of an individual and this also defines hair growing abilities. This we know is true that many other factors such as diet, stress, hormonal changes and other medical conditions affect the rate at which your hair can grow to the next length.
How to Support Healthy Hair Growth
Sorry, ladies, you can’t control the gene pool, but you can control what goes into your hair – or more specifically, you can nourish it. Adequate intake of Vitamin and Minerals, adequate intake of water, minimizing stress, and avoiding severe treatments such as high heat and chemicals can help to grow healthy hair which in turn can grow faster.
Fact 3: Haircuts Improve the Appearance of Hair, Not the Growth Rate
In regard to this, haircuts do not determine the rate at which the hair grows but they do play a big role in how the head of hair looks and even feels. Hair trims can be scheduled on a regular basis in order to make them neat and healthy and also to boost its vitality.
Why Appearance Matters
When your hair’s split ends and’ damage are sealed, it carries light better and therefore looks shinier and healthier. They are not tangly and not as fluffy as dry hairs hence making it is easier to manage healthy hair than a dry hair. It is therefore clear that although a haircut will not make the hair grow faster, it will no doubt be an improvement to the texture, feel and attractiveness of the hair.
Having understood the truth about these hair myths, how can you enhance the care of your hair for the best outcome? Here are some tips:
1. Get Regular Trims:
Ideally, you should get all the hair trimmed so as to avoid getting split ends and for better hair health should be done after 6-8 weeks.
2. Focus on Scalp Health:
The hair originates from the scalp and therefore has to be healthy so as to grow healthy hair. Choose mild shampoos and wash your scalp carefully, do not use products which might cause blockage of pores and skin itching.
3. Nourish from Within:
Protein works wonders for the hair growth and should be taken, along with essential nutrient groups such as vitamins that are useful in the growth of hair as well. Go for foods that contain biotin, vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acid foods for the health of your hair.
4. Be Gentle with Your Hair:
Shampoo and massage your hair gently, do not use a vigorous brush which cause much damage to your hair and avoid using very hot irons on your hair and some chemicals treatments that cause brittleness of hair.
5. Stay Hydrated:
This may not be like the rest of your other body organs, but like most things in your body, hair needs water to be healthy. Ensure that you consume a lot of water and use hair care products which have an aspect of moisturizing hair.
For more such content don't forget to check out our blogs on haircare.
Conclusion
Despite what people have been lead to believe, haircuts do not encourage hair growth or thickness of the hair but they are crucial in managing great hair. By debunking these common myths, you can focus on what really matters in your hair care routine: Curly hair requires a proper diet to feed it, use of products that will shield it from heat and sharp objects, and have it cut on a regular basis.
So the next time someone tries to convince you that by cutting your hair the will grow faster, you will be able to respond with the facts. The thickness and strength of hair should not be determined by how frequently it is trimmed rather the welfare of the hair should be checked. It is important for you to know that having the kind of healthy hair you have always wanted is very much possible without having to believe in myths and fables.