Finishing up this three-part blog series, I am going to be debunking myths about men’s hair and men’s hair loss.
Fall is right around the corner, Summerville! Can you believe that? It continues to be such a joy to see so many of you in the shop. My sincerest thanks and gratitude for keeping me busy! Also, my deepest thanks to my incredible industry community. The suites I had for rent that I mentioned in the first part of this blog series are now all filled. I am very excited to have a full house and full family at the new studio! With it being back to school, my appointments are filling up just as quickly as ever. If you want to look fresh and ready to face whatever this school year might bring, make an appointment to come see me. I am doing everything I can to keep every client and myself as safe as possible!
This blog is the third and final part of my “myths of the barbershop” series. We’ve covered and debunked myths about becoming a barber, shaving, and will be finishing out with debunking myths about men’s hair and hair loss. Even with all of my training and professional experience, it is still shocking to me just how many myths are out there. It brings up that age-old mantra of “you can’t believe everything you read”.
Myth #1: You can actually train your hair to grow in different directions!
The patters of your hair are solidified in place and determined by your hair follicles. The way your hair grows is how it will always grow. That cowlick or unique growth pattern you’ve grown up with – it will always be there. No matter how many different ways you try to brush it, style it, or blow dry it, nothing will change the hair’s natural growth patterns. What a barber can do is help you find a cut that suits your natural growth patterns to suit your style and what you like. They can help you style it in a way so it’s not as noticeable if its something that bothers you. There is a cut out there for everyone to help make those unique growth patters something you can grow to like.
Myth #2 Wearing hats can lead to hair loss and baldness.
This is very false! Hats or how frequently you wear them has nothing to do with your hair loss or balding. They can be a helpful accessory to those who are dealing with either situation and aren’t comfortable with their hair just yet. I will say that it is very important to keep your hair, scalp, and the hats you wear very clean. Wearing a dirty hat for long periods with dirty hair can cause irritation and other issues on your scalp.
Myth #3 When you pluck a grey hair, multiple will grow back in its place.
Again, this one is false. It also happens to be one of the most common myths that I hear! The color of your hair is due to the pigment created by melanocytes. When our cells stop making that pigment, the hair will lose its color and turn white or grey. This can be caused by age, medical conditions, or medications. If you pluck out a hair that has lost its pigment, it won’t cause multiple hairs to turn grey. Plucking does not affect hair color at all.
Myth #4 If you use too much shampoo when washing your hair, it will cause it to fall out!
After you shower and after you brush your hair, it is very common to shed some of your hair. Since it is so common, a lot of people associate hair loss with the amount of shampoo being used. Your head will naturally shed between 100 to 200 hairs every day. Don’t worry, these hairs are being replaced by other follicles that are in the growing phase to replace what you’ve lost. If you are noticing a lot of hair falling out or an increase in what you’re shedding, it might be time to talk to a professional. This could be due to a medical condition and has nothing to do with the amount of shampoo you’re using.
Myth #5 Growing your hair out will hide your balding spots!
This is also untrue. The longer your hair is, the heavier it becomes. Your bald or thinning patches will become more noticeable the longer you let your hair grow.
Myth #6 Standing on your head or hanging upside-down will make your hair grow!
I think this might be one of the funniest myths I’ve heard. This is also untrue. The loss of hair and how fast or slow it grows has nothing to do with the blood flow to your head. The growth and loss of your hair are all determined by age and genetics. Again, if you are rapidly losing your hair this can be a sign of a medical condition. Which, if caught in time, can be treated. Hair loss can be slowed or stopped, and in certain situations hair can be regrown!
There you have it! Across three blogs we have debunked 14 different myths. I hope you walk away from reading this feeling more educated, more aware of your personal hygiene and how to care for your hair, and how to react when you hear one of these myths. I’ve had such an enjoyable time writing these last three blogs. I always love finding new ways to teach and educate about hair and every part of my industry. Thank you so much for coming along for the ride! I am Patrick the Groomsmith and I am here with the best barbershop in Summerville, the best nonsurgical hair restoration in Summerville, and more.
