In today’s social media-dominated world, we’re hit with so many hair care opinions. It can be hard to discern sound advice from misinformation on how to cut, wash, and protect our hair. Our Tyler Mason hair stylists you know and trust are here to set the record straight and bust some common hair care myths. Read on for their expert advice and product recommendations, so you can truly achieve happy, healthy hair!
Myth #1: You shouldn’t wash your hair before your salon appointments.
If you come to the salon with dirty hair, this can affect the results of your appointment, whether you’re receiving a highlight, balayage, root touch-up, or an all-over color. Our stylists Kenzie and Amanda agree — having oil, product, or dirt buildup on your hair can keep your bleach or color formula from penetrating your hair cuticles. With clean hair, your bleach/color can fully saturate your strands for an even lift or a vibrant, long-lasting hue.
If you’ve scheduled a Special Occasion Style, coming into your appointment with clean hair can also make a difference toward creating your perfect updo. Our stylists always add products to hold your hair into place, but it’s trickery to handle hair that has dirt and oil buildup.
Not washing your hair often can do more harm than good, Amanda says. Your hair can even fall out from your hair follicles getting clogged with sweat, oil, and dead skin cells. However, this doesn’t mean you have to jump in the shower right before your appointment. Our stylist Lexi says day 2 hair is OK — if you have a sensitive scalp, having a bit of natural oil on your scalp the day after washing can actually make color treatments less irritating.
Because everyone’s scalp and hair follicles are different, there isn’t a set number of days you should wait between shampooing. Lexi’s rule of thumb is if your hair and scalp feels dirty, you should wash it!
Myth #2: Cutting your hair makes it grow back faster & thicker.
Your hair growth is based on your genetics, hormones, and health — not by how often you trim your hair. Our stylist Sam says your hair may feel thicker after a haircut because your stylist trimmed away your thin split ends and damaged strands. But, a haircut doesn’t affect your scalp or hair follicles, which is where hair growth truly happens.
However, there are styling and scalp-care products you can use for faster-growing or thicker hair. Sam recommends Davines’ This Is A Volume Boosting Mousse, a creamy, snow-like textured mousse for adding airy volume to any hair type.
She also recommends Davines’ Naturaltech Energizing line. For thinning, breakage-prone hair, Energizing Shampoo helps stimulate new hair growth while reinforcing weaker hair strands to prevent additional fall-out.
Energizing Seasonal Superactive also reduces and prevents hair loss. This serum strengthens your current strands and improves your hair’s overall body and density. Every day for one month, apply this serum to washed, towel-dried hair on your roots and massage into your scalp until the serum is completely absorbed.
Energizing Thickening Tonic creates full-bodied hair with the strands you have. This leave-in tonic increases your hair fibers’ diameter, leaving you with thick, lightweight locks.
Myth #3: Your hair doesn’t need sun protection.
Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun too! Kenzie says protecting your hair while you’re out in the sun can keep your hair color from fading and your strands from drying out. Simply wearing a hat works wonders to protect your hair and scalp from the sun’s rays.
Davines also offers several styling products with UV protection. Heart of Glass Sheer Glaze is a hydrating heat protectant that not only extends the life of your blow dry but also protects blonde hair from turning orange or brassy in the sun.
Davines’ SU products all help protect and heal your hair before and after sun exposure. SU Hair Milk is a leave-in spray that filters out UV rays to protect your hair color from fading. To gently cleanse and re-hydrate your hair after an afternoon in the sun, try SU Hair & Body Wash, a rich foamy shower gel for full-bodied hair. If your hair has already suffered sun damage, SU Hair Mask can restore even the driest, dullest hair.
Myth #4: You don’t need to condition your hair if it’s thin or oily.
If you have thin or oily hair, conditioner is still essential to give your hair the nourishment it needs! Amanda says everyone should use conditioner because it seals your hair cuticles after shampooing, so your hair stays soft, smooth, and protected.
Conditioner can prevent thin hair from becoming brittle and breaking off, and it can also regulate your scalp’s oil production. Conditioner gives your scalp the hydration it needs, so your scalp won’t overcompensate with excess oil.
Amanda recommends Davines’ lightweight Momo Conditioner to moisturize your hair’s length and ends without weighing down your strands.
Myth #5: You can repair your split ends.
Once a hair strand splits, there is no way to repair the cuticle. Your hair strand will continue splitting all the way up the hair shaft, breaking off along the way. All of our stylists agree — the only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off.
To prevent split ends, Kenzie recommends using a Wet Brush to detangle your hair. Because these brushes have soft, flexible bristles that are spaced further apart, they easily glide through your hair without any pulling or tugging, reducing the risk of split ends. Wet Brushes are available to purchase in-store in our salon & spa’s boutique.
Myth #6: Air drying your hair is healthier than heat styling.
Your hair is most fragile when it’s wet, so letting your hair air dry can be damaging. Sam says air drying can lead to breakage and frizz, especially if you sleep with wet hair. Blow drying can actually be a healthier option for smooth hair free from split ends as long as you use a heat protectant!
Kenzie recommends Davines’ Melu Hair Shield and This Is A Blow Dry Primer as two heat protectant choices. Melu Hair Shield protects your hair against your hot tools’ heat while hydrating your hair without any sticky residue. This Is A Blow Dry Primer is an anti-humidity leave-in spray that accelerates blow drying time, enhances shine, and boosts volume for longer-lasting blowouts.
Know any other common hair beliefs you’re left wondering whether they’re true? Share them in the comments for our hair stylists to answer!
Nicole Thomas is the marketing manager for Tyler Mason Salon & Spa. She is also a passionate writer and digital marketer for several Indiana-based publications. When she isn’t at TM, she loves cozying up with a book and cup of coffee or crocheting a new cardigan for her wardrobe.