In today’s world where information is literally at your fingertips, it’s hard to tell what’s true and what’s not—especially when it comes to hair care. Just when you think you have your hair care regimen perfected, there’s someone telling you “Don’t do that, do this instead!” But what should you really be listening to? Read on to discover the truth behind your locks as we debunk some of the most common hair care myths.

Getting regular trims will make your hair grow faster.

Unfortunately, your regularly scheduled trip to your hairdresser is not speeding up the process of your hair growth. Because our hair grows at the root, the rate at which it grows is more genetic than any outside factor. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits to getting these regular trims. 

Haircuts help to keep your hair’s health intact by preventing breakage so your hair can grow stronger, thus leading to longer hair over time. Plus, if you regularly trim off your dry ends, the rest of your hair may appear healthier and shinier from root to tip.

Plucking out gray hairs will make more appear in their place.

This old wives’ tale is nothing to be afraid of. Plucking gray hairs will not make more of them sprout from your scalp. Pesky grays pop up here and there and sometimes plucking them is the easiest way to eliminate those unwanted visitors. However, it’s important to note that consistently plucking can cause permanent damage to the hair follicle causing hair to stop growing altogether. 

If you’re concerned about gray coverage, we recommend coloring your hair or masking them with root coverage products. If you’re in-between color applications or are trying to go gray for good, our compact Conceal & Cover Root Powder is a great alternative for those stray gray hairs.

You shouldn’t wash your hair every day.

How often you should wash your hair is unique to everyone depending on factors like hair texture, hair type, scalp health, and personal preference. It seems that the trend now is the less washing, the better—that said, this standard may not work for everyone.

If you have an existing scalp condition, you may want to cleanse your hair daily to help prevent itchiness caused by product build-up. In addition, those with more coarse, dry hair types may opt for fewer wash days to allow their natural oils to work their magic. So it all depends on what works best for you! 

If you want to incorporate more wash days into your routine while also preserving your hair’s natural oils, a 2-in-1 cleanser like our Cream CoWash offers the best of both worlds. This creamy cleanser gently washes away impurities and features lightweight hydration for a healthy-looking finish.

A good shampoo has a ton of suds.

Who doesn’t love seeing a thick layer of suds as you wash your hair? For some reason, we associate these bubbles with the product actually working. And unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the truth. Many times, suds are a result of harsh chemicals like sulfates that can potentially stress your strands and strip your hair color. 

If you don’t see the suds you want from your shampoo, we recommend adding more water instead of more shampoo or agitating your shampoo in your hands prior to lathering your locks. You may notice eSalon’s shampoos aren’t super sudsy because they are free from SLS and SLES—two sulfates commonly used in hair care products that can strip the hair. Therefore it’s safe to say, suds aren’t an indication of the quality of your shampoo.

Fine hair doesn’t need conditioner.

This is simply not true. Skipping out on conditioner can do far more bad than good for any hair type. Dehydrated hair is harder to manage, is more prone to breakage, and can damage hair’s integrity even further. Conditioner is an essential part of hair care packed with the hydration fine hair needs. However, the focus of this moisture should be on lightweight hydration so as to not weigh down your strands. 

An easy way to get more hydration into your daily routine without adding weight to your hair is by incorporating a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, like our Volume Shampoo & Conditioner Duo. This body-boosting duo is formulated to wash away any buildup without weighing hair down while adding movement and softness.

Hair color damages your hair.

While coloring your hair can be stressful on your strands, it doesn’t have to be. Salon-grade color with high-quality ingredients, like those found in our Custom Color Set, is designed to be more gentle on your hair than generic boxed hair dye. Choosing the right formula for your hair, whether you want semi-permanent, demi-permanent, or permanent color, can also make an impact on how hair color affects your strands. With eSalon, our expert colorists are here to help you decide what’s right for you and your hair goals.

That said, hair color can be damaging to your strands if bleach is part of your coloring process, the dye is applied improperly, or you don’t use hair care products that are safe for color-treated hair. Consult with your colorist before your next color application to ensure your hair’s health and color results are going hand in hand.

Now that we’ve debunked these common hair care myths, it’s time to revive your hair care routine for your best hair yet. Follow us @eSalon on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more haircare tips.