Myth BUSTERS!

Philips haircare ambassador and celeb hairstylist Paloma Rose Garcia debunks the biggest haircare myths

Myth 1

CUTTING YOUR HAIR MORE FREQUENTLY MAKES IT GROW FASTER

While split ends do cause hair to appear thinner and shorter, Paloma reveals that hair growth isn’t down to how often you cut it. ‘The follicles in your scalp determine how much your hair grows, and cutting the ends of your hair doesn’t actually impact those follicles,’ says Paloma. Trimming every three months or so will help to keep the ends of your hair healthy, and it may appear longer, too.

Myth 2

AIR DRYING IS BETTER FOR YOUR HAIR THAN BLOW DRYING ‘While excessive heat can damage your hair, using your dryer on its lowest heat setting and holding it away from your hair isn’t bad for it,’ says Paloma. She adds that having damp hair for a long period of time, like when air drying, can be more damaging in the long term, as the interior of the hair swells. Invest in good tools that allow you to adjust the air temperature.

Myth 3

USING OILS WILL MAKE YOUR HAIR GREASY

Applying oil directly to the scalp can make your hair appear greasy, but when applied to the ends of the hair, oils can add shine and hydration. When washing your hair, Paloma recommends shampooing twice for dirty hair – a quick once-over followed by a thorough 2½ minute shampoo – then applying conditioner and any oils to the ends of your hair.

Myth 4

THE MORE YOU BRUSH YOUR HAIR, THE HEALTHIER IT WILL BE

‘Excessive brushing can do more harm than good, and can damage your hair’s outer protective layer by causing friction and breakage over time,’ says Paloma. When brushing your hair, start at the bottom and work your way up. Don’t pull from the root.