Myth or matter of fact?

The haircare community is riddled with controversy, making it difficult to separate myths from truths. Do you know your haircare from A-Z? In this article, we’ll uncover 5 “common sense” myths from our perspectives and thorough research - so that you don’t have to. 

Number 1: My hair is oily so I cannot get dandruff. 

Dandruff is a serious issue that can affect anyone and everyone – to uncover this problem, we need to look at the two main types of dandruff which occur. 

Oily scalp dandruff: Our scalp often reflects the state of our skin. If you have the oily skin type, there’s a high chance you have an oily scalp too. A sign of this could be finding your hair gets greasy quicker than others – this is due to overproduction of oil in the scalp, which in turn, creates a yeast that flakes and scatters in your hair. To avoid this kind of build-up, a frequent washing routine can prove helpful, alongside regular shampooing and conditioning. And if it’s really bad, antifungal products such as diluted tea tree oil or rosemary oil can help deter the yeast significantly and get you back to a healthy, balanced scalp. 

Dry scalp dandruff: This is the better recognised type of dandruff - dryness of the scalp, either genetically passed down or due to a poor diet and lack of water, is generally the root cause of this problem. In colder months, much like irritation of the skin, it can be worse due to the air. Moisturising and ensuring you stay hydrated is an easy fix to this issue! In the case of genetics coming into play, a dandruff shampoo can also work wonders. 

Number 2: Regular trimming causes faster hair growth  

There's a slight discrepancy in this one – trimming your hair does not affect your root growth despite how widespread this belief is! Rather, taking good and frequent care of your ends (whether that is removing breakage or thinning hair) makes hair appear thicker and healthier. It is however worth mentioning that maintaining ends also reduces breakage going unchecked, which is why it may seem like your hair is growing faster. So, while it isn’t necessarily the direct cause of your healthy locks, it is definitely still a vital habit to keep in place every couple of months or so. 

Number 3: Brushing your hair when wet is bad 

Controversial as it may be within the haircare community, brushing your hair when wet is not damaging. Many people with more textured hair struggle with brushing when dry as this increases frizz and loosens their curl pattern, as well as causing breakage. The assumption behind this one is that since hair is a lot more elastic when wet due to moisture, it snaps off easier after showering, leading to hair loss. However, this does not only apply to wet hair – the same can be said for any kind of excessive brushing, as, even when dry, it will induce the same issue. Generally, overbrushing your hair can lead to hair loss. So a brush through once or twice a day, or detangling once when wet, is not the end of the world. For those who aren’t a fan of brushing, you can detangle with a wide-tooth comb instead. A helpful tip would be to start from the ends, especially for those with a more textured curl pattern, as it’s a lot easier and less painful, and to be patient with your hair despite how frustrating it can sometimes be – avoid yanking and gently brush, preferably in sections. 

Number 4: Oil nourishes a dry scalp 

Oil is an absolute gamechanger for your hair, but in some cases it can worsen your scalp, especially (as we’ve just covered) if you are prone to dandruff! If you have a dry scalp, oil will not get rid of that dryness. What your scalp lacks is moisture – a nourishing shampoo and conditioner will do the trick. Likewise, if you have an oily scalp due to natural overproduction, applying more oil is only going to encourage the growth of that yeast bacteria. Wash your hair often if it’s naturally oily, but if it’s dry, you may not need to wash it as often, as this will strip your scalp of it’s already lacking natural oils. Applying oil has many benefits, but you can’t start on a dry base! Once your hair is moisturised, the oil will take effect and your hair will absorb and reap the benefits of this magical liquid.

Number 5: Heat is always bad for hair 

Now don’t get it wrong, styling tools are definitely harmful in the long run if used frequently, especially when used without a proper heat protectant spray. But heat is actually used in a variety of processes to quicken the absorption of product into hair, especially in salons – for one, a keratin blowdry uses heat to seal the protein layer into the cuticles. For balayages, a heat stand speeds up the process for stylists so that you’re able to spend less time waiting for the product to set. When used right, particularly in the case of treatments, they can increase the efficacy of serums and oils, enhancing your haircare routine overall and giving you more visible results. The Lava Cap itself aims to do just this – microwavable and cordless, it’s easy and quick to use, whether that’s before you start your day and need a quick pick-me-up or are relaxing at the end of a long one. To introduce heat into your haircare routine, check out our stylish, affordable selection of microwavable caps. 

And that’s it! Did any of these take you by surprise? We’re always keeping up to date with the haircare scene and looking out for trends and tips, so if you’re interested, drop your email below and get money off your first order - alongside exclusive hair advice from our mailing list :)