When it comes to hair growth, there’s no shortage of advice floating around. From old wives’ tales to trendy TikTok hacks, it’s hard to know what to believe. As a chemical engineer, beauty entrepreneur, and someone who has battled postpartum hair loss multiple times, I understand how confusing the journey to healthy hair can be. That’s why I’m here to set the record straight.
Here are five common myths about hair growth, along with the truths that can help you make smarter choices for your hair health.
MYTH 1: Trimming Hair Frequently Makes It Grow Faster
The Reality: Hair grows from the scalp, not the ends.
You may have heard that frequent trims will speed up your hair growth, but that’s not exactly true. Hair growth happens at the root, not the ends. What trimming does is remove split ends that can travel up the hair shaft and cause breakage. While trimming can keep your hair looking healthier, it has no direct impact on the rate at which your hair grows. If you want longer hair, the key is to protect the length you already have while supporting scalp health.
TRUTH: Preventing breakage and keeping ends healthy allows your hair to retain length over time. Protective styles, moisturizing treatments, and gentle handling are all essential in maintaining length. Our Refreshed Hair & Scalp Oil is specifically designed to nourish and protect hair while keeping your scalp balanced and healthy.
MYTH 2: Brushing Your Hair 100 Times a Day Stimulates Growth
The Reality: Too much brushing can do more harm than good.
You might have seen vintage beauty ads promoting the idea that brushing your hair 100 times a day will make it grow long and luscious. While brushing helps distribute natural oils along the hair shaft, excessive brushing can weaken hair and cause breakage. This is especially true for textured hair types that are more prone to dryness and breakage.
TRUTH: Gentle brushing with the right tools (like a wide-tooth comb or a brush with soft, flexible bristles) can help detangle and distribute oils, but it won’t make your hair grow faster. Instead, focus on protecting your hair from breakage. A healthy scalp, supported by nutrient-rich products like Refreshed Hair & Scalp Oil, is essential for growth.
MYTH 3: Stress Has No Impact on Hair Growth
The Reality: Stress is one of the biggest threats to hair health.
If you’ve ever noticed excessive shedding during a stressful season of life, you’re not imagining it. High stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where hair follicles prematurely enter a resting phase, leading to increased shedding. I know this one personally — I’ve experienced significant hair loss after childbirth, a period filled with both physical and emotional stress.
TRUTH: Reducing stress is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Deep breathing, therapy, exercise, and prioritizing self-care all contribute to overall wellness — and your hair will thank you for it. Sleep is also essential since your body repairs itself while you rest. Products that calm and balance the scalp, like those with lavender oil, can create a more stable environment for growth.
MYTH 4: The More You Wash Your Hair, The Faster It Grows
The Reality: Overwashing can strip essential oils and weaken your scalp.
Washing your hair daily may seem like a good hygiene habit, but it can actually do more harm than good. Overwashing strips your scalp of its natural oils, causing dryness and irritation. This can lead to flaking, inflammation, and even hair breakage. For people with textured or curly hair, frequent washing can be especially damaging.
TRUTH: A clean scalp is essential for growth, but there’s a balance. Washing 1-2 times a week (or less for some) allows the scalp to maintain its natural oils while promoting a healthy scalp environment. Our Refreshed Hair & Scalp Oil contains natural ingredients like rosemary and neem, which support scalp health by keeping it clean and nourished.
MYTH 5: Hair Growth Stops at a Certain Length
The Reality: Hair has a natural cycle, but it doesn’t “stop” growing.
Some people believe their hair reaches a “max length” and just stops growing. While it’s true that every person’s hair follows a growth cycle (anagen, catagen, and telogen), hair does not stop growing. The reason hair may seem to stop growing is often due to breakage, not a biological limit.
TRUTH: Your maximum hair length is determined by the duration of the anagen (growth) phase of your hair cycle, which is different for everyone. Some people’s anagen phase lasts 2-3 years, while others may have a 5-7 year growth phase. Keeping your hair moisturized and avoiding unnecessary damage will help you maximize the length potential. Products that strengthen hair follicles, like those containing rosemary and ylang-ylang, can create a better foundation for growth.
CONCLUSION
If you’ve been caught up in any of these myths, you’re not alone. But now you have the facts to guide you toward better hair days. You’ve got this, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. Looking for your perfect regimen? Take our Hair Regimen Quiz, and find the perfect products on HerBeautyRegimen.COM
— Chanel E. Martin, Chemical Engineer, Beauty Entrepreneur, and Founder of Her Beauty Regimen