Some Myths About Hair Care

Myth #1 - Shampooing every day is hazardous to your hair

Once upon a time, shampoo was a harsh detergent that ravaged tender hair. Today's shampoos are mild and include moisturizing ingredients that are also considerate to the scalp. Shampoo chemistry has become so sophisticated that there are formulas for all types of hair.

Daily shampooing is ''de rigueur'' for some; others may lather up only once every other day. How often you shampoo can also depend on climate, medication, changes in diet or even stress.

Myth #2 -- Conditioners make your hair go flat

Conditions are tonics for hair, infusing strands with vitamins, proteins, botanicals and herbs. They bring nutrients to the hair and make it manageable, lustrous, silky and supple.

When hair is baby fine, for example, a conditioning treatment may let the hairs rest close to each other. Today, volume can easily be created through styling aids geared to different hair types.

Myth #3 -- 100 brush strokes a day keeps hair damage away

Au contraire! Excessive brushing splits or breaks ends. For a healthy crown of hair, try a daily scalp massage. Bend at the waist so your head is upside down and massage your scalp, from the nape of the neck to the forehead, then ear to ear, with your fingertips.

Begin slowly and increase the tempo. Not only does it feel great, but it also stimulates the scalp's circulation. Follow with 20 brush strokes to disperse natural oils to hair ends for a shiny mane.

Myth #4 -- Expensive shampoos are good shampoos

No lack of truth here. But the corollary -- cheap shampoos are bad -- is categorically wrong. Regardless of price, shampoos contain gentle cleansers, moisturizers and body builders that contribute to the good of healthy hair. It is totally unnecessary to withdraw your life savings to buy clean hair.

When selecting a shampoo, read the label first for clues and look at the ingredients to determine if it's right for your hair type (for example, a shampoo with coconut oil would be wrong for oily-type hair).

Myth #5 -- Chemical processing stresses out hair

That was in the dark ages. Today's advanced techniques make use of lubricants, humectants, proteins and vitamins to help prevent hair and scalp damage.

Salon professionals recommend hair processing to be spread out over weeks or months. As with anything, too much of a good thing too soon can cause some tress distress. Stylists and other hair experts also agree that weekly deep conditioning treatments help maintain your hair's health.

Myth #6 -- Unprocessed hair doesn't need protection from the sun

All hair, like all skin, benefits from sun protection. The sun is a mixed blessing: we can't live without it, but too much of it can destroy. Hair is vulnerable to sun and atmosphere -- even if you're cross-country skiing or window shopping on a city street in the waning winter days.

Fortunately there are hair products containing sun-shielding ingredients to protect the scalp and prevent hair from being damaged by the sun's rays. Remember to ''block that sun'' not only from your skin, but also from your hair.