The Biggest Hair Myths Busted By The Pros

REALITY: “This is false. Plucking one grey hair won’t mean five will sprout back in its place – your follicles don’t conspire against you like that. If you keep plucking, however, you will damage the follicle, and this will lead to weaker regrowth and potentially permanent hair loss in that area over time. Refrain from touching them, and instead try root touch-up sprays or semi-permanent glosses for a more natural blend. If you do like the silver look and want to lean into it, enhance it with a purple-toning shampoo to keep it bright.” – Samantha Cusick, hairstylist & colourist 

REALITY: “Washing your hair daily won’t make your scalp greasier. Shampoo isn’t there to produce oil – it’s designed to cleanse and remove dirt, oil and other buildup from your scalp. The only things that will make your hair greasy are overusing certain styling products and touching it too much with your fingers during the day.” – Syd Hayes, international session stylist

REALITY: “They’re not great either. Originally, they were added to hair products to increase shine, but over time silicones can build up on your hair shaft and become difficult to remove. The result is dull-looking hair. Most silicones are derived from plastic, so they stop any natural oils from penetrating your strands. Silicones aren’t good for the environment either. Look for naturally derived ones if you can.” – Larry King, A-list hairdresser

REALITY: “While regular trims do make hair look healthier, it’s worth noting that hair grows from the root, not the ends, so cutting it won’t make any difference. However, regular trims will prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft, which keeps your hair looking fuller and healthier. If you're aiming for longer hair, focus on scalp health, hydration and minimising breakage – not just cutting. Use a product like Olaplex No.3 weekly to help strengthen strands and always prioritise scalp care with a treatment like Hello Klean’s Anti-Flake Scalp Soak to keep the follicle environment healthy for growth.” – Samantha 

REALITY: “There is no scientific research to prove this. It’s a rumour that’s done the rounds, but there has never been any evidence to back it up – what can cause thinning, however, is the sun, so wearing a hat for sun protection is essential.” – Syd

REALITY: “Like our skin, we need to be using sun protection on both the hair and scalp to keep UV damage at bay. Not only can the sun damage hair, it can also dull your colour as it overprocesses (oxidises) the tones, causing highlighted hair to go brassy and frazzled. It’s worth investing in the right products to lock in this protection. I swear by R+CO – all the products in the range contain SPF and UV protection, so you’re covered at all times.” – Syd

REALITY: "Rubbing castor oil on your scalp won’t magically speed up hair growth, but keeping your scalp healthy and nourished can create the best conditions for hair to grow. Oils are great for hydration, but they don’t directly impact growth speed. I recommend using lightweight oils – like argan or jojoba – for hydration that doesn’t clog your follicles. Focus on scalp circulation too – a simple two-minute scalp massage does more for growth than any oil alone.” – Samantha

REALITY: “Any colour that lightens hair will give the illusion of fullness because it makes hair a bit more wiry. Taking the hair darker will tend to make it softer by comparison. There have been occasions in my salon where our colourists will bleach a very fine, limp fringe and recolour to its natural shade to add body. My wife also relies on bleach to lift her curls from the root.” – Larry 

REALITY: “This is a complete myth. For years, I thought it helped seal the hair cuticle, thus giving it better shine and gloss. However, cold water stops the blood from flowing freely, which in turn stops vital hair-growth ingredients from getting to the scalp. If you think about it, you’ll realise better shine would therefore be hard to come by.” – Syd

REALITY: “Generally, lifestyle factors have a huge impact on the appearance of your hair, and that includes stress, nutrition, illness and a lack of sleep. All of this can play a part in the increasing appearance of grey hair – I’ve seen it first-hand.” – Syd

REALITY: “Only regular trims by a professional can help with split ends. It’s why you should book in every six to eight weeks. Use a gentle wash cycle in between appointments and go easy on the brushing – especially when your hair is wet as this is when it is most prone to breakage.” – Larry

REALITY: “Hair does not self-clean. If you don’t wash your scalp, grease will build up and start to smell. It’s important to look after your scalp the same way you would your skin. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a great ingredient that will benefit both your scalp and hair. It has anti-bacterial properties and acts like an astringent because of its acidic pH. ACV deep-cleans the follicles, removes topical build-up, reduces inflammation on the scalp, kills bacteria that can cause oily dandruff, tightens the cuticle on hair strands, and it helps to naturally regulate the body’s pH, which can cause dry scalp and flaking (which is a different condition to oily dandruff).” – Syd

REALITY: “Think about cleansing your skin. Your scalp is very similar. If you were to use a daily cleanser that was harsh and stripping, your skin would begin to produce oils to combat that effect – and your scalp is no different. The products you use are essential to maintaining healthy hair and the natural balance of your scalp. It’s why it’s important to take care and use shampoos that are sulphate-free – they’re known to be gentler. The more time and effort you put into maintaining a healthy scalp, the better your hair will look overall.” – Larry

REALITY: “There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to how often you should be shampooing. It all depends on your individual hair type and needs. For instance, if you’re concerned about hair loss, it’s common sense to cleanse it daily. This is because you want to keep it as clean as possible and free from any dirt that prevents healthy regrowth. For dry or damaged hair, however, it’s worth holding off. Instead, leave a couple of days in between washes to allow your natural oils a chance to travel further down the hair shaft. It’s definitely a case-by-case situation.” – Larry

REALITY: “Doctors would advise against putting any chemicals onto your scalp or skin during pregnancy to protect both your and your baby’s health. That said, there are options. That includes balayage, where the colour doesn’t actually sit on or even touch the scalp, meaning the risks are minimal. Your hairdresser will always be able to advise what is best.” – Syd

REALITY: “This is partly true. It all depends on how tight you’re wearing your hairstyles. Wearing your hair up occasionally won’t cause issues, but repeatedly pulling it back too tightly can lead to traction alopecia – a type of hair loss caused by constant tension on the follicles. My advice is to swap out tight elastics for silk scrunchies or coiled hair ties. It’s also worth alternating between low and high ponytails to reduce strain on the same areas.” – Samantha

REALITY: “Dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp – not dryness. Yeast thrives in oily, moist conditions, so this is normally the key issue. A dry, flaky scalp is often mistaken for dandruff, but they’re not the same thing. If it is dandruff, try and use an anti-fungal shampoo with ingredients like pyrithione zinc or salicylic acid. If your scalp is just feeling dry, look to hydrating scalp treatments and soaks instead.” – Samantha 

REALITY: “Brushing your hair too vigorously and regularly can be quite damaging – especially if you are using the wrong type of brush. It’s important not to overdo it. Being kind to your scalp and hair is of utmost importance to overall hair health. To ensure you’re brushing right, I recommend investing in a brush with long, widely spaced plastic bristles. They are smoother and kinder, so you can’t go too far wrong – and never brush hair wet.” – Syd

REALITY: “Shampoo is like the skincare of haircare, yet we think of it in quite basic terms. We often choose one based on what it smells like, and our hair type. But shampoo forms the bases of all good hair days, and they are not all created equal. Other than a good haircut, shampoos are the best primers for your hair. A big mistake people make is using the same one every day. Hair needs different things at different times depending on things like weather, whether you’re on holiday, hormones, hard water and so on. All of that is before you even think about your scalp. My advice? You need three different types of shampoos. First, a cleansing shampoo which will combat hard water, get rid of pollutants and provide a deep but gentle clean. Secondly, a formula that contains proteins to renew the hair. These work to fix the structure of your hair from within, flooding it with moisture. Finally, a shampoo designed to boost volume and shine. That way, you have shampoos that cover all the bases.” – Larry

REALITY: “Conditioner should be restricted to the mid lengths and the ends. I would always advise keeping it away from your roots. Conditioner is thick and it can weigh your hair down at the top, causing a lack of volume and a lank appearance. Try to use it sparingly and only where it’s needed. You don’t want to clog up the follicles on your scalp unnecessarily.” – Syd

REALITY: “It reduces damage, but it doesn’t make heat styling damage-proof – that’s the difference. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an essential, but it doesn’t mean you’re 100% covered. Think of it like SPF for your hair. It reduces the risk significantly, but excessive exposure will still cause damage over time. The best, in my opinion, is ghd’s Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray. I also recommend keeping heat below 185°C (356°F) to prevent unnecessary stress on the hair. It is also worth limiting heat styling days and opting for heatless waves or air-drying when possible.” – Samantha 

REALITY: “Again, this is partly true, but with the right care, coloured hair can still be healthy. Yes, colour and bleach changes the structure of your hair, but that doesn’t mean it has to be damaged. The key is how it’s done and how you care for it afterward. Bleach, in particular, lifts pigment from the hair, which can weaken it, but using bond-building treatments keeps it strong. I always tell the clients I colour to use Olaplex No.3 weekly to rebuild bonds and strengthen coloured hair. Opt for gentle, ammonia-free colour or semi-permanent glosses if you want lower commitment.” – Samantha

Follow @SYDHAYESHAIR, @LARRYKINGHAIR & @SAMANTHA.CUSICK for more tips, advice & product recommendations.