Is There Any Truth in These 2 Hair Myths?

There are plenty of beauty rumors that go around, especially regarding physical signs of aging. Although many of them have been passed down for generations, how can you know what to believe?

Here are two prominent myths about how your hair develops as you grow older - and the truth behind them.

Losing hair from stress is permanent

It's common for women and men alike to notice their hair thinning over the year, but it's typically a sign of genetic makeup more than anything. This type of hair loss, often called androgenetic alopecia, often affects certain areas of the head - mainly the top - and requires permanent solutions. If that sounds like you, try KÉRASTASE Cure Anti-Chute, a 6-week treatment to visibly reduce hair loss and hair thinning.

Thinning hair might come as a shock at first

However, when you lose hair following a stressful event, there's a different process happening with the hair follicles. Telogen effluvium, as this temporary stress-based shedding is called, isn't as obvious as clumps of hair falling out. You can often see evidence on your pillows, brushes and hats, or notice a thinner ponytail the next time you grab all of your hair.

Telogen effluvium affects hairs that are in the growth phase, which can last several years. Several weeks or months after a stressor, the hairs shift to the resting phase prematurely and fall out. In addition to stress, telogen effluvium can be caused by hormonal changes and certain medications.

As long as you're able to identify and eliminate the specific cause of your hair loss, the hair will all grow back in time. To keep up appearances if you go through one of these thin phases, use KÉRASTASE Bain Densité, a hair thickening shampoo designed to restore abundance, lushness and bounce. A styling product such as KÉRASTASE Volumifique Spray Volume combines active ingredients to strengthen and thicken the hair fiber from the inside, delivering instant volume.

When you pluck one gray hair, several more come to its funeral

One of the oldest tales in the book, you may have been under the impression that this myth is a valid fact. However, pulling out one gray hair can't cause any type of multiplication. Plucking hair from one follicle won't result in additional follicles around it. In fact, when hair follicles do merge, it doesn't have to do with plucking.

That doesn't mean you should start plucking every gray hair you see. Pulling strands out from the follicles can cause permanent damage over time. Like with plucking your eyebrows, hair might not grow back at all if you pull them out too often. Additionally, the new gray hair that will grow in its place can grow at a weird angle and end up being more noticeable.

If you want to get rid of your gray hairs, the best option is to find a colorist. A professional can help you find a shade that matches your current hair color or make suggestions for a new look that will flatter your features and mask your grays.