Myths About Hair Growth You Should Stop Believing

We all want luscious and healthy hair, but the reality of haircare is that, for many, it takes plenty of time and consistency to see results. Of course, when trying to get the most out of your locks, you also face plenty of misinformation — and a lot of it is circulating on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. To clarify some of the most common myths relating to hair growth, we turned to hair transplant surgeon Dr. Ross Kopelman of Kopelman Hair Restoration.

From the claim that shampooing every day influences hair loss to the well-known theory that your hair will grow faster if you get regular trims — Dr. Kopelman explained exclusively to Glam why these popular myths are true or not. As always, this information is only meant to help you on your hair growth journey, but if you are experiencing major hair loss, it's best to seek help from a professional.

We've all heard that in order to grow your hair long and healthy, you need to get regular trims. "As a hair transplant surgeon, I often hear this myth, but it simply isn't true," Dr. Ross Kopelman tells Glam exclusively. "Hair growth happens at the root, not at the ends."

There is an understandable reason this myth is so popular. In order to keep your hair healthy, regular trims are crucial as any split ends will cause breakage, and with that, hair thinning and the appearance of slower growth. However, as far as the actual speed at which your hair is growing, trims have nothing to do with it at all. "While regular trims can help with the appearance of healthy hair by reducing split ends, they have no impact on how quickly your hair grows," Dr. Kopelman adds. And in case you're wondering just what would happen if you never cut your hair, we've asked an expert about that, too.

Scalp health is crucial for healthy hair, but the myth that washing your hair every day will cause hair fallout is completely false. "This is another common misconception," Dr. Ross Kopelman clarifies exclusively to us. "Overwashing with harsh shampoos can lead to dryness or scalp irritation, but it won't cause hair to fall out at the root."

Of course, keeping your scalp healthy is important for healthy hair growth. But even with a super healthy scalp, you will experience periods of hair fallout. "Hair shedding is a natural part of the growth cycle, and unless you have an underlying scalp condition, washing your hair won't directly cause hair loss," Dr. Kopelman explains. However, if you are experiencing scalp pain or itchiness, as well as excessive hair fallout, it's best to consult with a professional to determine whether your scalp needs some extra care.

If you love wearing hats, chances are you've heard of the myth that hair accessories can cause your hair to fall out. We turned to Dr. Ross Kopelman for clarification. "No, wearing hats won't cause baldness," he tells Glam exclusively. "Hair loss is primarily determined by genetics and other factors, not by external pressure from hats."

However, there is partial truth in this myth, as there are certain circumstances in which you can actually experience hair loss caused by hair accessories. "Tight hairstyles or accessories that cause prolonged tension on the hair could potentially lead to traction alopecia, which damages hair follicles over time." In order to avoid this, ensure that the hats you're wearing aren't overly tight, and if you are wearing a tight one (or a tight hairstyle), make sure you aren't rocking it regularly. Giving your hair a break and your scalp some space to breathe is important for healthy and long locks.

Many people are inclined to look for natural remedies for hair growth as they are not only often cheaper but also lack the chemicals professional haircare products usually contain. However, just because you find a TikTok hack and you already have the ingredient in your pantry, that doesn't mean the outcome of the hack will be what you expect.

"While some natural treatments may improve scalp health or offer mild benefits, there's no strong scientific evidence to suggest that remedies like onion juice or coconut oil alone can stop significant hair loss or regrow hair, especially in cases of androgenetic alopecia," Dr. Ross Kopelman explains exclusively to Glam. "These home remedies are often exaggerated in their claims." One popular at-home recipe for hair growth in those who aren't dealing with an underlying condition is rosemary — and here's how to use it to promote hair growth.