Forget 6 Hair Care Myths, Says a Pro — You’re Doing Split Ends Wrong
It’s time to combat hair breakage and find a way to put an end to split ends with tips from a hair pro.
He debunked the six biggest myths that lead to hair damage and shared tricks to keep your hair in shape.
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MYTH ABOUT WASH DAY
Eric Delapenha is the founder of The Hair Lab by Strands, a company that creates custom hair care products. He’s here to set the record straight about hair care products.
The first myth that is totally untrue? When people think, “I’m going to get my hair washed at the hairdresser’s, so I can show up with dirty hair.”
“Stylists always prefer you to show up with clean hair unless otherwise specified,” he told The US Sun.
“Clean hair is easier to comb, which makes it easier to apply the hair dye and cut your hair more precisely,” he added.
RESOURCES FOR A SPLIT END
Delaphena may be considered a hair care hero, but even he can’t save your split ends.
“The only way to prevent split ends is to prevent them. Once your ends are split, the only way to solve this problem is to cut them off,” he said.
“No salon product or homemade mixture can restore your hair to its former glory,” he added.
He also wants you to keep your hands to yourself, or at least away from your hair.
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“Don’t play with your hair or touch it,” he said.
“This can lead to grease and dirt in your hair, causing you to wash your hair too early and split ends.”
MYTH-CONCEPTION OF HAIR TRAINING
Another common misconception Delapenha wants to debunk is that washing your hair every day is bad.
How often you should lather your locks depends on factors such as your activity and the amount of sebum you produce, a waxy oil produced by your scalp.
“Always do what works best for you,” he said.
Just because you have thin hair doesn’t mean you don’t have a full head of hair.
He explained how it’s possible to have thin hair with “high density,” meaning you still have plenty of locks.
“A lot of people think that if they have thin hair they won’t have much hair, and vice versa if they have thicker hair,” he said.
“Hair density and hair texture are two very different things. Density is how much hair is in one square inch — think of how much hair is on your head — and hair texture is the size of the hair strand,” he continued.
DO NOT IGNORE THE INSTRUCTIONS
He also has some wise words for those who believe the rinse-wash-repeat method is a contrived technique to get people to use more products.
“If you don’t see much lather from the first shampoo, it’s important to wash it again. This will help ensure that your hair and scalp are completely cleansed,” he said.
Long story short, your hairbrush is the boss and you’ll need to find a solution that works best for you and your specific needs and hairstyle.
Eric Delapenha
“To avoid wasting product, always start with a dime- to quarter-sized amount of shampoo in your hand. Rub the product between your hands and work it into your scalp,” he added.
“In my experience, there is no need to use a handful of products at once. This is a waste of product and money.”
YOU ARE STUCK WITH YOUR ‘LICK’
If you’re desperate for a hairbrush solution, you might just be out of luck, according to Delapenha.
“A cowlick is the pattern in which hair grows on your head. There is no product or technique to change this growth pattern at home,” he said.
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“The best way to do this is to work with the hairbrush and learn styling tips on how to handle it,” he continues.
“In short, your hairbrush is the boss and you will need to find a solution that best suits you and your specific needs and hairstyle.”
MORE HOT HAIR HACKS
Another pro tip will help you maintain healthier hair.
“Wet hair is fragile. Never comb it roughly or pull it into tight hairstyles as this can lead to breakage,” he said.
“Wash out gel or heavy styling products. While it may be tempting to brush first, this can cause damage or breakage to the hair. Always let water and shampoo tackle the products first,” he added.
“Don’t dry your hair roughly. Again, wet hair is fragile and can break very easily.”
To properly care for your hair, he recommends using customized hair care products from his line The Hair Lab by Strands.
After completing their online hair diagnostic test, you will receive personalized product recommendations that match your specific needs.
Their shampoos, conditioners, and serums generally cost less than $12.
