There are loads of myths about hair we assume to be facts because we've never thought to look deeper.
What if everything you assumed about hair was actually wrong?
That's the theme of today's article gents – 7 men's hair myths we know to be bullsh*t thanks to science.
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Click Here To Watch The Video – 7 Men's Hair Myths DEBUNKED By Science
- Inheriting From Your Mom
- Stress Causing Gray hair
- Air-Drying Is Better Than Blow-Drying
- Washing Oily Hair Every Day
- You Can Repair Split Ends
- Cutting Hair Makes It Grow Faster
- Dry Shampoo Is Just As Good As Wet Shampoo
Alright, time to debunk…
1. It's Your Mom's Fault You're Bald
Men's hair myth number one is perhaps the most pervasive. While there is some science to it, the reality is more complicated.
Androgen, the hormone associated with hair loss, is linked to the X-gene. Since women have two such genes, there is a slightly higher chance that they will contribute to their son's misfortune.
The probability is just a little over 50%. This is not enough to go on.
A 2017 study from the PLOS Journal of Genetics identified over 250 genetic factors that are associated with Androgenetic Alopecia (Male-Pattern Baldness). You have much more than your mom's genetics to worry about.
2. Stress Turns Hair Gray
Let's address one thing first – hair doesn't “turn” into anything.
Once a follicle produces hair, the color is permanently set. Grayness is actually the result of the follicle losing its ability to produce color. It's likely that men and women alike will start seeing gray after age 35, and stress doesn't figure into it at all.
There's no science to back it – it's a myth, plain and simple. What stress DOES do is cause a condition called Telogen Effluvium, which makes hair fall out three times as fast. The reality is much worse!
There ARE some conditions which could see your hair turn gray sooner:
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Neurofibromatosis (Von Recklinghausen’s disease): An inherited disease that causes tumors and abnormal growths in the bones and skin.
- Tuberous Sclerosis: A rare condition which causes benign tumors across various organs.
- Thyroid disease
- Vitiligo: A condition that destroys the color-producing cells in hair follicles.
- Alopecia Areata: The sudden loss of patches of hair, returning gray rather than their natural color.
Though you still need to take a chill pill, gray hair is one less thing to worry about.
3. Air-Drying Is Better Than Blow-Drying
This men's hair myth is pretty common as well. Since blow-drying is hot against the hair, it's natural to assume that it can be damaging.
A 2011 study out of the Annals of Dermatology refutes that. After some thorough experimentation, they found that using a dryer at a distance of 6 inches (15 cm) with a continuous motion actually causes LESS damage than air-drying.
Break out those blow-dryers.
4. Washing Oily Hair Every Day
Let's talk about why hair gets oily first. Glands adjacent to the hair follicle produce sebum, which moisturizes hair naturally. Over time this gives hair a greasy look.
Each of us produces different amounts of sebum. This factors into how often we wash our hair. However, NO ONE should wash it every day.
Doing so induces a vicious cycle in which the scalp produces even more sebum to make up for how often you strip it, which in turn makes your head even greasier.
5. You Can Fix Split Ends
This is another men's hair myth with no science to back it.
First off, what is a split end?
Over time, the protective outer layers of your hair are stripped away due to heat damage and the elements. This causes the tips to crack and “split” to resemble splintered wood.
Split ends prevent hair from growing naturally, and there is simply no way to repair them. You can slow them by oiling your hair prior to washing and using leave-in conditioner.
Ironically, the best way to speed up hair growth despite split ends is to get them trimmed. By making regular trips to the barber and cutting the very tips of your hair, you ensure a healthy growth cycle.
6. Cutting Hair Makes It Grow Faster
Once again, there is absolutely no science to back this claim.
In fact, cutting hair has no influence on its growth rate whatsoever. This is something determined entirely by your genetics.
Haircuts have nothing to do with hair growth rates.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology found this out by having a sample of men shave one leg on a regular basis. There was simply no change in growth patterns.
If you're getting a healthy amount of Iron, Zinc, Vitamin D, Protein, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and biotin, you can expect to see about half an inch a month in growth.
7. Dry Shampoo Is Just As Good
Dry shampoo works in a similar way to body powders. They absorb oils to produce a drier look.
Oftentimes, people will use dry shampoo as a “reliable” alternative to wet shampoo. This is a mistake.
NEVER replace your regular shampoo with a dry one.
While dry shampoo is great in a pinch, it will not eliminate the dirt and grime that accumulates on the scalp over time. It merely smothers them with powder.
At the end of the day, nothing will compare to a good old wash.
In Summary – Men's Hair Myths
- Inheriting From Your Mom
- Stress Causing Gray hair
- Air-Drying Is Better Than Blow-Drying
- Washing Oily Hair Every Day
- You Can Repair Split Ends
- Cutting Hair Makes It Grow Faster
- Dry Shampoo Is Just As Good As Wet Shampoo
Most hair myths are fabricated upon hear-say, rarely having any cold facts to back them. You know better, though. Now, you can care for your mane the RIGHT way.
