Dermatologist Debunks Biggest Haircare Myths

[@ravenswood118]

Have a super oily scalp. Tried to "train" it cause hair stylists told me to, they were all shocked I washed my hair every day or every other day. Started washing once a week. Oil production never reduced and ended up with bad fungal dandruff that damaged my hair follicles and lost a lot of hair, messed up my hairline completely. Thank goodness hair grows back, but goodness! Such a mess. I need to stop listening to other people cause I always knew my scalp needed the consistent cleaning.

[@unsaid9361]

girl same! but my hair hasn't grown back yet 🤣😭

[@ravenswood118]

@@unsaid9361 I just have some baby hair coming back, not totally back for me yet either. I feel ya

[@ninapisani25]

Same here, but I stopped before the hair loss because my hair stylist was like WTF are you doing! People still try to tell me I am damaging my hair or that I can train my hair. They are the same people that don’t understand that my 1A/1B straight hair is not the same as curly hair straightened. 🙄

[@lw3764]

I hate the advice to "train your scalp to stop being so oily" because I know it doesn't work and on top of it I just end up with dandruff if I don't wash my hair enough. People without oily skin don't understand the struggle. 😄

[@desteny1393]

Oh but that will obviously not work if you go from washing it everyday to once a week, you have to gradually wash less otherwise you could end up with a damaged scalp. Most people will tell you to go from washing every day to every other day and when that is comfortable you push it more

[@k213389]

I cannot even tell you how validating it is to hear an expert say that it's ok to wash your hair every day. I tried to 'train' my scalp by only washing every other day for a full year and my scalp was just as oily, only I had a super irritated scalp and my hair looked greasy on non-wash days. I skip a day here and there but I mostly wash my hair every day now...I rarely curl it, don't color it, and *never* blow dry it to make up for the fact that I'm washing it that often. I also use SLS-free shampoo because, for whatever reason, I stopped getting back acne as soon as I switched away from SLS. My hair is thick, bouncy, and shiny, and people are frequently shocked to discover that I wash it daily.

[@perdoux7576]

It is okay to blow dry on low/cool heat and can be more beneficial than air drying 💜

[@LS-mm5js]

Same experience with the SLS stuff! I've been struggling with my skin for as long as I can remember. About four years ago, I stopped using hair care products that contain SLS because it's bad for curly hair - and I noticed a dramatic improvement in my skin. Since then, I make sure that all the shampoo, soaps, laundry detergents etc. that I buy do not have any SLS in it. Last month I tried a styling product (by Cantu) that had SLS which immediately caused a bad breakout. Wish dermatologists and cosmeticians were more upfront about possible intolerances instead of recommending expensive products (that also usually contain SLS).

[@craftsnstones]

What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you girls recommend for someone that has to wash everyday and someone that has been dealing with acne since I was 14?!! I’m 33 now and still dealing with it. I’ve tried everything so maybe switching my shampoo and conditioner with help me. Also what is SLS?

[@MelisaSJ]

@@craftsnstones I’m 2 months late but I hope this helps. I find that shampoo with pH balanced and slightly acidic (5-6.5) works best for my oily scalp. I still wash daily, but I noticed that the sebum production has reduced a little bit (more volume too around the roots) because the shampoo is not too alkaline. My acne scalps were slowly disappeared too. I couldn’t even remember when was the last time I have acne on my head after switching to pH balanced shampoo. I used to use whatever drugstore shampoo I could find, but I tested them with my pH tester and almost all of them have more than 8/9 pH, in my country, at least. SLS is a surfactant used in most cleaning products (shampoo, face cleansers, hand wash to name a few) because it’s cost-effective and excellent in removing dirts, grease, bacteria, etc

[@erindreams1790]

@@craftsnstones Start Curology! Seriously! I had acne IN MY 40s (still get a breakout now and then) but Curology saved my life. $20/mo is well worth it.

[@Rit_8821_me]

The advise you provided are fantastic. I was experiencing hair fall, but then I started using reaactivate serum and cocooonion shampoo together. In just 60 days, I am noticing a great difference in the density of my hair. It's making a difference!

[@Hanabi_H]

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this. Since I was a teen, I've been shamed by well-meaning classmates for washing my hair every day. In the end, I shaved my head and only washed my hair with water for six months in a bid to "reset" my oil production. And what do you know, it didn't make a difference. My mom, at 60+, still washes her hair every or every other day, and I expect I will, too, most likely. This was so insanely validating. Thank you.

[@betzib8021]

Shoot...I wash mine 2ce a day and it is just fine.

[@courtneycoleman9286]

I appreciate you talking about daily hair washing. So many stylists have told me to train my hair to be washed less and all that happens is that I get horrible scalp issues. It boggles my mind that people who wash their face every day or twice daily are horrified by the idea of washing your scalp daily. The skin is literally millimeters away. Its not crazy to think that skin would also need to be washed.

[@TheShepdawg9]

Skin doesn't need to be washed with products. The second i stopped using 'products' on my face, i haven't had acne since. I don't even rub my face, just quick rinse under the shower. I can't believe how well the hair and beauty industry has done to convince everyone that they are naturally unhealthy and dirty.

[@riahtiffany]

i literally have always washed my hair every day or every other day and that was when my hair was at its best and longest. when i started skipping washes and not washing as much , my hair got thinner and started looking worse. thank you for this!

[@fruitpunch5260]

I love it when people go silicone free because it “weighs their hair down” but then proceed to use a product with coconut oil etc, like that is going to be lighter? Silicone is the lightest oil you can find.

[@arbalnadia6749]

True 🧡

[@lubnan08]

True!!

[@Jigglypowerpuffgirl]

Coconut oil is too heavy for most people with straight/wavy/ loose curly hair. It’s great for course 4c hair however. I consider straight coconut oil as more of a styling product than a moisturizing product because it doesn’t actually penetrate the hair shaft.

[@lubnan08]

@@Jigglypowerpuffgirl Agreed. I have 3 c hair and coconut oil is a no for me. Too heavy

[@atriyakoller136]

As a type 2 hair person who's silicone free because my scalp is itchy if I have too many silicones in my haircare products, I'm still looking for something that doesn't weigh my hair down. It's 2a-2c waves and finding products that don't make my hair straight with a curl at the end (I joke that it's straight, but like a walking cane) is so hard. And generally finding products that work on me is a hassle

[@Kindlyone777]

Thank you for this educational video. My Dermatologist told me she’s seen an increase in patients with scalp fungal infections most likely due to a dirty scalp infrequent hair washing.

[@MizzKittyBichon]

The "brush your hair 100 times a day" idea comes from Victorian times when women used boar bristle brushes to distribute the sebum evenly throughout their hair. This was their way of cleansing their hair because the shampoos of that time were too harsh for daily use.

[@Sol36900]

Well that makes sense. And also they should mention the advice is for those with straight hair because it’s impossible to brush curly hair when dry.

[@MizzKittyBichon]

@@Sol36900 I feel like a lot of hair care advice tends to only take white people into account. Black hair can't be cared for in the same way as white hair, for example.

[@iVUKSi]

Finally someone said it. Cannot tell you how many “hair training” videos I’ve watched where the person washes their hair once a week but uses dry shampoo five out of seven days. Where’s the training in that?

[@juliecarpenter6133]

This is so helpful! I'd love a video addressing high porosity vs low porosity hair and specifically how to take care of each. As others have said, it's so nice to have science-based information, rather than all of the hyped and anecdotal recommendations online. Thank you so much!

[@agesago528]

thank you for clarifying the sulfate myth. when my hair was at my longest (it was down to right above my hips) i was washing it every day with good ol suave 😂 it grew just fine with all those sulfates

[@carosamchwa3081]

When I started my curly/wavy hair journey, I refused to use sulfates in my shampoos. That changed when I went to get a haircut and found out I had a lot of buildup on my hair from the styling products I was using. My hairstylist recommended I start to use a clarifying sulfate shampoo (Redken), and it made such a huge difference in my hair!

[@jg-iy7hh]

Thank you for this!! Since I was 16 I have been “training” my hair, and here I am 10 years later and it never changed. I always joked how I’m “at least 25% happier” on days where I’ve washed my hair because it made me feel cleaner and more confident. My partner asked me why I don’t just wash it everyday if it makes me feel better, and I realised it because I was conditioned to feel like that was wrong. I am so much happier and more confident when I wash my hair everyday so now I’m going back to that.

[@naomipalmer4244]

If I don't wash my hair every day/other day (especially if I've exercised) I get angry feeling lumps in my scalp and hairline! It's good to hear that washing frequently isn't a bad thing. Thank you!

[@Lau.mp4]

Thank you so much for setting the record straight on washing your hair every day. I've always done this and people always tell me I shouldn't and that it's making my hair more oily. No matter how much I tell them that I know my hair and I know that it gets really oily and stays that way if I don't wash it daily, they don't believe me. Fortunately I don't think this is damaging my hair, because my hair is very thin so it air dries quickly and I rarely ever use heat tools on it.

[@themindhelp9584]

I wash my hair every day too!! It gets oily very quickly..but i lk admit i love the freshly washed hair shine😌😌

[@Art_and_Anxiety]

During COVID times there were periods where I'd go up to 3-4 days without washing my hair. It was awful, would never do that again unless I didn't have a choice. My hair didn't get better, it just got greasier, lol.

[@themindhelp9584]

@@Art_and_Anxiety exactlyyy girl...and even if im washing it daily...my hair is just thrivinggg looking better and better

[@Art_and_Anxiety]

@@themindhelp9584 Same here!

[@TheBrownIsland]

*_She did not set any record straight._* Daily Hair Washing is Not the General Rule for everyone and *_Only applies to people with Hair that gets Oily, Dirty & Icky if Not washed Daily._* It's Okay for _'Some'_ to Wash their Hair Everyday, but causes *_more Harm than Good for so many people_* depending upon the Hair Type & Texture.

[@angstbringer2992]

can confirm dry shampoo+hair oil on the ends is a great combo. My hair stays fluffier for longer but still feels soft and silky and I don't have to wash it as often!

[@DulcePerle]

Aaaaah thank you! I just could never get on the no-shampoo trend. I HAVE to wash my hair every day and I do as you suggest- I concentrate on scalp and I do not keep up in a towel wrapped, I air-dry my hair and only use heat styling products occasionally. Thanks again for the informative content!

[@biancagador]

Same here. I just feel dirty not washing my hair everyday.

[@johnpark7972]

In Korea people wash their hair everyday and think it’s very gross not to

[@Art_and_Anxiety]

I literally cannot go more than a couple days without washing my hair; it's fine so it gets greasy faster than thicker hair does. Plus the extra oil buildup makes my scalp itch.

[@ZER07994]

@@johnpark7972 In Asia where there’s hot climate most people take shower twice a day and wash their hair at least every other day because sweat would make the hair dirty so I agree.

[@Xana_K]

I tried sulphate and silicone free and honestly my hair was the worst its ever been. I've got fine hair and it just broke off. For years I couldn't understand why. So I went back to sulphates and silicones and my hair somewhat recovered. I think my scalp needed the sulphates to properly cleanse it. And the silicone really did help condition my hair better than any non silicone conditioner I've used.

[@chloewortham4511]

Omg... just thank you. Seriously I have been wanting professional advice on all of these hair topics for quite a while now... and what perfect, beautiful proof, your hair is GORGEOUS.

[@sammiller8640]

Thanks for debunking the NoPoo movement!

[@rebeccamorgan3035]

We need your hair care routine, it looks so healthy and shiny 😍

[@DrSamEllis]

I have a haircare KZbin video!

[@hanspeter1886]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I definitely feel the pressure to not wash my hair every day despite having a super oily scalp. Really tired of people who have a completely different hair type than me (usually thick and oily instead of my fine, very straight hair) basically telling me I'm just not trying enough and implying they know how to care about my hair better than me.

[@jenv6846]

Wash that hair the way works for you and dare anyone to tell you they know your body better!

[@nina.harmony]

YES!!! Thank you for sharing these. Specifically the sulfate and silicone myth. I work at a cosmetology school and used to use the brand they carried and loved it until they reformulated to remove silicones. My scalp became so dry and flakey so I switched to a drugstore shampoo and conditioner with silicones and it totally healed my scalp issues. I now get told by the stylists I shouldn’t use it because of the silicones lol. It’s sad to see schools teaching incorrect information just to sell their “high end” products.

[@isisjsbsdi5939]

So silicones aren’t bad for your health ?

[@TheMimilija]

@@isisjsbsdi5939 of course not. If you use silicone, make sure to use shampoo with sls at least once a week to remove silicone buildup.

[@oliviapenney4471]

What is your hair texture? I used sulfates and silicones my whole life. It was what I was raised with. I found when I stopped using them my hair became significantly healthier! So the exact opposite of you lol. I do use a sulfate based shampoo every 3 weeks to a month to rinse out product buildup. I only use one hair product and one hair oil so my buildup does not happen fast. I have wavy/curly fine hair. The silicone weighs down my hair more than I would like. Wonder if a different hair texture could be why our experiences are different?

[@kkdream99]

You should stop generalising, I definitely don’t agree with you. Shampoos containing SLS make my hair dry, my scalp very itchy and disgusting.. Don’t want to use them again. Not everyone is the same, what works for you might not work for someone else etc.

[@heredianna2496]

@@oliviapenney4471 I have kinky coily hair and have no problem with many sulfate shampoos. People forget that a product is not made of one ingredient but several ingredients so what matter is the entire formula not one single ingredient. I have also tried some shampoos with no sulfate that make my hair feel dry and brittle simply because the formula was bad. Many people buy no sulfate shampoos without knowing which ingredient(s) has replaced it... or without knowing that the other ingredients or the combination of ingredients in the shampoo could be the issue.

[@hannahjones4599]

i stopped listening to people on the internet telling me how bad it was to wash my oily hair everyday and for the first time ever my hair stylist said "oh my gosh your hair is so shiny and healthy!!"

[@auds4340]

Wow I totally believed all of these myths..... Thank you so so much! I have felt so guilty about washing my hair every day!

[@CreamIceMs]

THANK YOU! You have no idea how validating it is to hear an expert say that your scalp will produce the oil it wants and it's not because of how many times you wash your hair. Indeed the "solution" I always hear is "wash your hair less, train your scalp" but it's not as simple as that and they don't understand the many other factors that can play into someone having very oily scalp. Im so tired of hearing that and hearing people say I need to put MORE oil on my face.

[@Shell_Herbs]

Ohh question! Does the “type of scalp” you have (eg. oily, dry, etc.) usually coincide w/ the type of skin you have on your face? I’ve heard this before as a way (or a factor) of knowing your skin type.

[@travo6805]

Thank you, I’ve heard so much misinformation over the years, excited to help my scalp on the road to recovery 👍

[@cait.]

I used to wash my hair everyday about 10 years ago but now I only wash about 1-2 times per week. I have pretty oily roots and the only thing that has happened from washing it less often is that my scalp is super irritated all the time now! I have dandruff which I’ve never had before. And a lot of times when I scratch my scalp (bc it’s itchy all the time now too) I get these little clogged pores that pop out! Almost like little blackheads (anyone else??). I’m so over it and going back to washing every other day! Thank you for this information!!

[@zaakirahbrown7110]

I've got the exact same problem!!! Any suggestions PLEASE

[@maddiexela]

THIS VIDEO WAS MADE FOR ME!!! I have super oily hair and people with dryer scalps do NOT understand and it was so frustrating hearing people talk about training your hair. I have always believed that its just genetic (my face is an oil field too haha) and its so nice to have that backed up! I also style my hair daily with heat products and I dont experience anything negative from it so its very helpful to hear that I can keep doing that! probably cause my oil keeps my hair hydrated enough haha

[@danna9519-j2s]

@maddiexela Hello, Hi, could you recommend some shampoos that have helped you with oily hair?

[@Fernandanatac]

I must say that I went sulfate/silicon free at the beginning because I thought sulfates were “bad” for the hair. But I stayed with that routine because I dye my hair red and OH GOD sulfate free shampoo makes the color fade so much slower! Shampoos with sulfates made the color almost completely fade (and looks like an ugly blond) in about a week. Now I can stay a full month without retouching the color! My hair is super oily and I have to wash it every day, so that’s that. Sometimes I even do “co-wash”. It works very well, and I never had any problems with it. My only doubt is… is it true that sulfate-free shampoo is unable to remove insoluble silicones? Because I only use silicone-free products because of that. I never had a problem with silicones! I just don’t like the sulfates lol

[@undercovermaria1]

super interesting question !!

[@yellowrose13]

I'm ok at knowing how to read skin care labels now and looking for helpful ingredients but not for hair product labels. What should we be looking for? Can you expand more on the specific types of silicones for specific needs for instance?

[@CleopatraPapadopoulos]

I am a curly gurl and the community is soooo toxic! They always say use the curly girl method, don't use sulfates, don't use drying alcohol, don't use silicones etc but truthfully everyone has different scalp and hair needs! What works for me might not work for someone else and I do not understand why people don't get that.

[@Zeke-0000]

I’m a guy who’s been using the curly girl method for about a year and a half, and I’ll be the first to say that the CG community is incredibly predatory and largely built on shaming others. While the practices it promotes are good and do work for many people, there’s no reason to put folks down for doing something else. I wish haircare didn’t become so toxic in the last few years

[@keekeejenkins6162]

​@Zeke Mitchell-Hopmeier yup, I have super course, wavy hair, and attempted cg-ish methods, ruined my hair and scalp. Ran out and bought the most insultingly cheap shampoo/cond. (Herbal essences 😆) and wow...no longer a disgusting grease ball...

[@CleopatraPapadopoulos]

@@keekeejenkins6162 I LOVE that brand!! hahaha and they are cruelty free so its a win for me.

[@nunu9417_]

So tired of people coming at me about how i’m “damaging my hair” for washing it everyday🤦🏽‍♀️ Dude it’s really oily and i’m an hygienic person, chill out🤷🏽‍♀️

[@DrSamEllis]

Haha, yes!

[@bellalobela]

Ikr especially when they say “just train your hair” i tried for months and it gave me oilier than ever scalp, dandruff and sores on my scalp for the first time in my life and it even made my skin break out too!! I wash every day/every other day tops and it works for me super well and my hair is super healthy. Every hair is different and need different things, i wish they would stop trying to generalize haircare

[@bleudiamondbleu]

@@bellalobela SAME! They always say “train your hair” and over the last two years I’ve only been washing my hair 2-3 times a week and it hasn’t changed my oily scalp IN THE SLIGHTEST. In fact my forehead has been breaking out and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why because I’ve NEVER had forehead acne. I’m just gonna start washing my hair daily again.

[@bellalobela]

@@bleudiamondbleu QUEEN yes!! you do you and your hair is gonna thank you for all the love💕💕

[@mahimahuq8933]

I am so thankful to you for this post. I haven't felt this validated about my hair ever ❤️

[@DrSamEllis]

So happy to hear that 💓

[@AntoniaLehn]

JUST what I needed. Thank you for busting all these annoying myths and helping us make informed decisions!

[@rachel4644]

Love! More science based hair care please!

[@cassiusle]

What people say is that the silicones get into the follicle and cause it to miniaturize. Regarding the brushing, I was under the impression that the directions were to brush your scalp with a horse hair brush to remove the debris of dead skin, etc. from the exposed follicle so that it doesn’t miniaturize.

[@kellye.5678]

I have seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp so it's important for me to wash my hair everyday or every other day. And my hair is long as well, past mid back. I always blow dry my hair and curl it often and I've noticed that conditioning in the shower and using a leave in conditioner that has heat protectant has kept my hair healthy. Since I'm east Asian my hair is decently coarse and strong which also helps, but heat protectant does make a huge difference. I used to always skip it, but I'd advise to definitely use it. I've seen dramatic results from just using the tresemme one before curling.

[@noemiechevalier4373]

I have seb derm too and tried not washing my hair every day like my doc suggested and it felt soooo terrible ! My scalp was greasy inflamed and so itchy .... and I ended up losing much more hair . So washing it every day it is ....

[@yarazard]

learned something new! thanks doc. I have curly thin color treated hair that i heat style, so i choose to wash once a week. every hair type and life style is different. do what's best for you, and def don't shame others or make them feel "dirty" for their choices.

[@UESGrl21]

Please do a video on how to care for unmanageable, frizzy grey hair that doesn’t involve coloring or chemical straightening!

[@tatjanaelevate]

Im so glad you said it. Because i ve been hearing it a lot lately that they say you shouldn't.

[@eswinipi]

Oily scalp and oily face by genetics here 🤚🏼 I and have been told by many physicians (general practitioners not dermatologist) that I needed to “teach my hair” by not washing my hair everyday and that was killing me, because i was only washing my hair once a week and I was seeing no results. I was really frustrated and I was feeling dirty because of my really oily hair. Glad to hear that this myth is being debunked.

[@seaspeaktome9167]

Same with me. It just doesn’t work for me.

[@jenifertippey381]

Thank you so much, I have fine hair and gets greasy pretty much the same day of washing. It's nice to hear I can wash everyday.

[@AmbientDreamEscapes]

What about oiling hair does this really help? I had alot of hair shedding when i did this.

[@Hamdevi]

Dr. Sam you are amazing. Your work is amazing. Keep up good work.

[@JulieMeikle]

I’m a hairstylist and I love this video. Thank you!

[@SomeBody-ce3gq]

You speak clearly and have great hair! I trust you! 😁💖

[@irieandites]

Thanks for the info. Question: washing hair everyday…may not be bad IF what you do after isn’t too damaging. But, letting it remain wet = damaging, and heat styling (blow drying) = damaging. So, washing everyday would be subsequently damaging, no??

[@christinaray2645]

If you allow your hair to air dry it is fine. Keeping it held back in something like a bun while it is wet, which can keep it wet for a very long time (mine would still be wet 24 hours later), is what causes the issue.

[@InimeKai]

@@christinaray2645 hair can easily take up to 4 or more hours to air dry though, which is stated to be damaging in this video...

[@InimeKai]

@@mimikyu4817 if so that's not clear through the video. Hair doesn't need to be in a bun to be wet 4 or more hours later

[@BeautyChickSavannah]

I would try to blow dry your scalp to not have your scalp wet for too long and let the rest of your air dry.

[@TMSreptiles]

I spent about six years washing my hair 3 or 4 times per week and had to rely on dry shampoo on my off days. My hair has only become greasier over time, due as you said to genetics and hormonal factors. I sure could’ve saved myself some funky hair days with the right information, rather than the “train your hair” and, even worse, “no poo” pseudoscience 🤡

[@rinaguxholli]

Not really a myth... more of a question! Is it normal for your hair to "change" during your 20s and onwards? I used to have thick, voluminous hair as a kid/teen, but it has become much more fine as I've transitioned to adulthood. I would almost feel better knowing its something I had no control over!

[@mariesikk]

I definitely have experienced texture changes in my late 20s and into my 30s. I have always had fine hair, but it has gone from very straight to wavy, and the hair at the nape of my neck is getting really curly.

[@denisehlchin]

Yes. They have become more frizzy, sparse - absolutely hate it

[@kbyeforever]

to the people replying, hair loss is not a natural part of aging and doesn't come "with age" if you're having hair loss please see a dermatologist! can't remember which derm i learned this from- probably dr. dray or dr. shereene idriss

[@DrSamEllis]

The most common cause of texture changes as we age is androgenetic alopecia (also know as male pattern and female pattern hair loss). There are things to slow this process, but also if it’s not bothersome, treatment does not need to be pursued. If someone experiences an abrupt change to their density or texture, I always recommend getting it evaluated to ensure there is no underlying medical issue. Hope this helps!

[@jkl123abc]

I’ve experienced this. I was born with straight hair with no curls, not even the slightest wave in sight. Gradually over time my hair become curly! No one in my family has curly hair. Not even my grandparents from both sides.

[@empresswb641]

Biotin works. I know because I took it to grow my hair long. I took it orally and noticed I had to shave and wax more frequently as well. Not only did my hair grow longer than it ever had in my life, but I also grew these new baby fine hairs all around my hairline.

[@sogorgeous2257]

I just told her I have been using biotin everyday for years and it has been very beneficial to my hair. Today at 68 1/2 (I look 52) I have beautiful, long silky hair.

[@alexandramcnamee9912]

you had a biotin deficiency then, sis

[@sogorgeous2257]

@@alexandramcnamee9912 What do you know. You sound miserable.😃

[@apwhoa7767]

Okay, so when people slow down on how much they wash their hair, why does the oil production slow down? I disagree with your comments on oil production. As a stylist, and seeing the difference in my clients oil production based on products and how often they wash. Olaplex is Amazing! It is a miracle worker, but it does fade over time. So occasional use does make it work. Biotin is given to people going through Chemotherapy and yes it works. The idea of cutting hair to make it grow, the idea is to keep it from breaking it. Hair brushing is about scalp stimulation and moving oils down the hair shaft. Pulling hair back when wet, it stretches… so as it dries it shrinks back and can break/snap as the tension is too tight. Average hair loss is 100 strands per day. Sulfates are salts, they remove color from the color process.

[@ioanac.1211]

I am not a scientist and all the knowledge I acquired over the years was (firstly) thanks to the experts showing both their opinions and data and (secondly) by observing my own skin. I have switched to sulfate-free face washes and toothpaste because I did notice it made my skin less irritated. And there were A TON of sulfate brands that I’ve tried. And when it comes to hair, yes, the main argument for switching to sulfate-free shampoo is because of dyeing my hair regularly. I did notice an improvement in colour fading. And as I do have a scalp that’s more on the oilier side (not so much that I need to wash it every day, but still enough to notice a significant difference between my roots and my middle hair/ends), I thought it might be of help too. I can’t say anything about that, because I don’t usually have inflammatory issues and I also have a solid regimen in place, but it might help. Just adding that yes, there are good products out there that are formulated with sulfates and deliver good results, BUT there are also people like me who noticed some benefits when making the switch to sulfate-free, be it skincare or haircare. In the end, as always, it comes down to the individual.

[@sydney7462]

Damage might have something to do with it maybe. A couple years ago my hair always looked dirty because my hairs strands would stick together in groups, even after it was freshly washed. When I stopped using harsh shampoos and tried “training” my hair, my hair was less damaged than before and stopped sticking together as much. However, I noticed that the about of oil on my scalp and roots stayed the same. I’m guessing it’s due to genetics since we have a family history of oily skin

[@LoungeLady]

Thank you! I’ve been begging for SCIENCE-based info on hair! All of these hairtok and long hair groups - it’s too much! Thank you for the actual science. Wonderful!!!!!

[@SueRosalie]

curly hair groups are some of the worst for spreading fearmongering and demonising ingredients instead of following the science

[@Shell_Herbs]

Since (or so, I've come to understand) over washing ones face or "stripping the skin", whether from harsh formulations or too frequent washing, can be detrimental to your overall skin health, why does this not apply to the scalp? I know the scalp & the face are very different, but I'd love to learn the science behind why! XOXO

[@priscilabee583]

Is that a thing? Because if you live in a tropical country you refresh your face multiple times a day and nobody is concerned about overwashing. It might be a case of wether you just use water or soap and cleansers every time you wash your face.

[@Shell_Herbs]

@@priscilabee583 As far as I know, yes! That’s why there is so much talk about gentle cleansers vs “foaming” cleanser w/ harsh surfactants, etc. I also live in a tropical place (Florida) & personally wash my face morning and night, but I also have oily, acne prone skin. My sister and mother have dry skin & only wash at night with a milky cleanser. It’s personal for sure, but the “over stripping” concept is 100% a thing!

[@mollyl8704]

Cosmetologist here, it is the same. If using gentle shampoos it will not have as much of a negative effect but washing everyday can dry out your scalp and your hair. However everyone hair is different and there is a lot that can go into why someone's hair produces so much oil.

[@greatjob_barbara]

The scalp produces sebum, which i don't know much about but it is an oily substance the face doesn't produce. That is probably the main difference

[@Shell_Herbs]

@@greatjob_barbara the face in fact does create sebum. The sebaceous glands may be different on the face than on the scalp-I guess that’s a part of the questions I’m asking!

[@PlatinumChelsea]

Huge THANK YOU for making this video from a hairstylist whose out here, also trying to debunk all these hair myths!! 👏👏👏

[@DrSamEllis]

Yes queen!!

[@Burgirl0923]

LOVE this video! Thank you for debunking these myths using SCIENCE and evidence-based FACTS. I tried not washing my hair, buying expensive Sulfate/Silicon-free shampoos and dry shampoo, ingesting Biotin supplements, etc. and they obviously made me miserable. Seems like all this time I should have just listened to board-certified dermatologists just like you and Dr. Dray Suarez instead of "influencers".

[@suzl762]

Thank you for exposing the myth about how often to wash your hair, and all the Information you share in this video!

[@bcblossom]

Thank you!!! Any time I see a video talking about how you have to wash your hair less and over time you'll train your scalp to not produce as much oil that never made sense to me... like...what? How? Am I the only one who just can't see how that makes sense?? Then I thought I might just be a bad egg because..okay it doesn't make sense to me, but I'm gonna assume these people know what they are talking about. So instead of washing my hair about every other day I go to washing about twice a week...and my hair gets oily after the couple days (when I would have done my rewash). "It can take a few weeks or even months for your hair to adapt!" they say... no... no... My hair looks good/clean the day I wash it and then still pretty good (or not dirty/oily at least) the following day.... that's it, and I've done it this way for several years now (cuz like I said...they know what they're talking about, right?) So (even though change is scary) I might start trying to get back to more of an every other day system and see how my hair does. I do think when I wash my hair that I like my results more when I don't use the silicones and all that stuff... but I guess that's just for me. I do have curly hair (like think Shirley Temple) too though so I don't know if that affects it. Any whoop. You have a new sub and I can't wait to watch more of your videos!

[@sophiedoviak998]

A technique going around in the curly girl hair community is training your curls to be curlier and less frizzy with finger rolling while it’s wet and apparently overtime your hair will start to want to form like that on its own. It seems like women who followed this method have seen good results (still using product but not having to finger roll to get the same affect) but scientifically, are you able to train or manipulate your hair to look a certain way “naturally”? I just don’t understand how that could work because it seems like especially with everything you’ve said, your hair definitely has a mind of its own and all we can really do is be gentle and do what works for it and us!

[@caroline-s]

I have this same question. I have curly hair and the curly hair youtube community seems full if myths.

[@aliensun6144]

You’re right to question, because I also think finger rolling is meant to be done every time you want the effect, but won’t change how it naturally grows out becos that is determined by our hair follicles. Just like in my case, I found out we could never actually grow “more” hair cos we are born already with all our hair follicles I.e. cannot grow more hair follicles to produce more hair. I’m still on the journey of trying to get thicker hair.

[@mollyl8704]

Cosmetologist here, it's never going to "changed" but depending on your hair type can stay like that for a while. Also think of how you can change your natural part and it stays. Also demonologist have a very textbook based approach, if it works for you and doesn't cause issues then just do it.

[@aggelikicapsa6330]

That only works because people with naturally curly hair can mantain a curl and also it just enhances the potential of curling of their hair. Even when you wash your curly hair, handling it, twisting it etc already modifies (temporarily of course) your curl pattern even if it's wet

[@SueRosalie]

you can only do what your hair will already do naturally. If you hair is healthy it will reach its natural curl potential.

[@Kevti1127]

My hair naturally gets oily every other other day and I have been unsuccessfully trying to “train” my hair for more than two years and no, it does not work. Interestingly though I had a week where due to circumstances I had to wash my hair every single day and after that it did started getting oily the very next day! So in my opinion the “training” can only get you to your natural washing cycle if you’re over washing, however it can not extend it.

[@marlaherbig6591]

Would you do some education on hair growth/care after chemo? I have several friends who have quite different hair now that they have finished chemo- curly, somewhat frizzy . Thank you

[@seh0041]

I’d love to see your favorite hair oils and other hair products you use! Thank you for the evidence based information!! So refreshing at a time when many people are ignoring scientific facts and creating their own “facts” (especially in the hair and skincare markets!) Just subscribed to your channel ❤

[@danabrajevic4913]

Can you do a video recommendation on shampoos and conditioner to help fight hair loss

[@veronicablack3976]

How about glycerin for curly/wavy/frizzy prone hair in high humidity areas like Florida???

[@Joelina456]

amazing video...as always! 🙂 your videos and your channel deserve a million subscribers...truly !

[@TrthBHld]

Well this just explained why my hair got worse when I began doing these myths. Thank you!!!

[@mariesikk]

Some of these myths are wild! But I bet all of us have believed at least some of these in the past because of how pervasive they are. I have a super oily scalp and I have tried multiple times to go a week between washes because I believed daily washing was bad. My hair got so oily by day 3 that I was embarrassed to go out, and of course my hair never became “trained” to be less oily 🙃

[@tata-ng2ko]

Rightt like everyone was your hair is oily bc you wash it everyday but I started to wash my hair everyday bc it was oily, so why did it become oily if I didn’t wash it everyday before and I needed to start washing it more frequently, it just doesn’t make sense, and btw I tried to train my hair while we were in quarantine but guess what it didn’t work

[@Nah-ah]

I wash my hair ever 3-4 days and if the ends are dry I use jojoba oil which is very light and my hair loves it. Thanks for these info! 😊

[@lydiatheglimmermaid]

Ok so what about how not applying moisturizer to the skin after washing can cause increased oil production from the resulting dryness? Does the scalp not do the same and produce more oil when the oil is stripped from it by shampoo? I think you're probably right; just trying to understand.

[@katiem9923]

A lot of people (myself included) have seen their hair get oily much more slowly after cutting down on washing. For example, I used to wash every day, and if I didn't my hair would be oily the next day. Now after only washing twice a week for a while, it takes 3-4 days for it to look oily. Why is that?

[@yarazard]

i've experienced that as well.

[@hken423]

I’ve experienced that also. I can’t imagine washing my hair everyday. It would be soo dry

[@Wholistically_Jen]

I’ve had this experience too. I used to HAVE to wash every day. During pandemic and being mostly at home I decreased washings (advised by doctor and my hair person) and now I can wash every 2nd or 3rd day unless I’m doing sweaty workouts, and my hair is doing so much better.

[@morighani]

i don’t think any of these experts know what they’re saying… contradicting each other all the fricking time. The age old adage of “do what works for you” is the only advice you can ever confidently follow. Human bodies and biology is just way too diverse and complex for a “right” answer!

[@chloecat101]

I was just about to comment the same thing !!

[@lydiatheglimmermaid]

Thank you for the clarification on why olaplex has to be repeatedly used. I always wondered about that.

[@michellenixon2862]

This was so helpful, thank you from across the pond! ❤️🇬🇧💙

[@emma76490]

This video was more useful than any of the videos I´ve washed. Thank you! So simple and effective.

[@user-bo3ss4gl8l]

so elegantly spoken and informative

[@tedrahsmothers5565]

Well done. What are your favorite hair care products with silicone? Thank you

[@VanessaDennise]

Will shaving my hair off help my hair grow back better? Thicker? How can you tell if your hair follicles are dead?

[@elinorbrereton3075]

Thank you so much for a great video! My hair myth/question is: I have sebbhoric dermatitis and the o my thing that soothes and takes away itch is applying oils to my scalp. But I have read that oils can “feed” the yeast on my scalp which is making my SD worse. Is that true? Thank you!!

[@chelsiechels24]

Keratin. can you talk more about keratin treatments for people with frizzy/curly hair. thank you!

[@Melissa-cy9se]

Thank you for this video - so helpful!

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Honestly, I think sometimes people take things from other communities that don’t apply. What works for a super curly head won’t necessarily work for straight hair and that’s okay and super normal.

[@dorisw2507]

The curly girl community says to stay away from sulphates because your hair needs more moisture. What do you think about this?

[@Jigglypowerpuffgirl]

I have very fine slightly wavy hair and an oily scalp. I have found the switching to sulfate free has helped balance things, but that’s just me. I don’t use silicone in my styling products unless I want to wear my hair straight. Silicone makes it so my waves don’t hold they’re shape.

[@krystademilio1256]

Sulfate and silicone free has been the BEST thing for my hair. If people like silicones go ahead but there are people that don't. Silicone causes major build up on my scalp and hair and I hate them. Cured my chronic dandruff when I ditched those two things

[@Jigglypowerpuffgirl]

@@krystademilio1256 yeah I could never go without washing most days, but gentler products make it possible without drying out my hair.

[@yuzeymaokanime583]

I have noticed when I use head n shoulders this is the only shampoo that works for me.

[@ree8698]

Totally shocked hearing the facts about sulfate and silicon! People always said its bad so I changed to those non sulfate non silicon shampoo. Turn out they even have benefit? Wow I'm-- Mindblown

[@anonymousblah4486]

Do the silicones build on top of the hair over prolonged usage, ultimately overtime making the hair prone to breakage? I've read that silicones are difficult to wash off, more so in a gentle hair care routine, so I've been wondering about this build up damage. Thanks in advance! Love these informative videos.

[@anonymousblah4486]

@@mimikyu4817 Right.. Thanks so much!

[@sophias4934]

If you get build up from silicones, try using a clarifying shampoo!

[@thewildadversary]

It’s my understanding that if you use silicones, you have to use sulphate shampoos to get them out!

[@933roastduck]

Give good adviced. I studied hairstyling and scalp care. Her advice is really true. Esp the inflammatory scalp do not use dry shampoo. But you can try those liquid dry shampoo but the end of the day you need to wash off.

[@SeydaYalcn-pg4gs]

As everyone has said, thank you very much doctor for destroying the widespread myths and making us feel cleaner and healthier.

[@neavanilla9780]

Thank you for your professional input! Do you have any thoughts on the inversion method? Or just generally, about stimulating blood flow to the scalp to increase hair growth/health/thickness/whatever?

[@pberretta]

I use to wash my hair every two days and my dermatologist almost had a heart attack, it didn't work on me so now I wash it every day (sometimes every other day) but it's so much better

[@meghamama]

Such a great video! I don’t have a myth to ask you about but a hair mystery - when I don’t wash my hair my follicles start to hurt! Usually this only happens after a few days of oil buildup but sometimes it happens even the second day post-wash. The sensation is similar to the one you get after wearing hair in a pony too long and taking down, but it happens when I haven’t worn a ponytail and is definitely correlated to oiliness/not washing hair. Why does this happen? Basically the longest I can go between washes is about 3 days before the follicle ache will set in.

[@DrSamEllis]

It’s possible that you’re having some type of inflammatory reaction to the oil on your scalp! I’ve had a few patients with a similar issue, but it does seem to improve with more frequent washing.

[@meghamama]

@@DrSamEllis this is what I figured. It always worries me because my mom experienced some sort of post-menopausal inflammatory hair loss that did cause scarring on biopsy. They never got to the bottom of it but she occasionally takes steroids when she feels it coming on again. Always wonder if my sensitivity there is related …

[@meghamama]

@@DrSamEllis and thank you for taking the time to reply to me! From my internet searches it seems to be common enough but I’d not seen a satisfying medical explanation.

[@mistress.villaina7591]

I recommend the brand Shaz & Kiks esp for people with oily scalp/hair. no clue where the sulfates/silicones cancer myths came about. but they do not work for my hair in general. however silicones are really good heat protectants. I don't style my hair with heat regularly though and I don't want to have to clarify it with sulfates as my hair and scalp are very dry. after switching to shampoos without silicones, I still noticed subpar results with my hair. It was not in the state I wanted it to be. I had been no shampoo for 2 years and it was the best hair of my life. I liked soaking soap nuts in cold water and using that as a shampoo as it was gentle enough when I did need a thorough cleanse. my only product was a mix of 3:1 shea butter and coconut oil that I styled as if it were a gel.

[@gracemamo8838]

Dr Ellis! What does the data say about hard water and hair integrity?

[@thecure3982]

I have biotin deficiency. I haven't treated it yet but I hope it can help with my shortened anagen phase on my scalp. I also have androgenic alopecia. Metformin and some medications lower b-vitamins and people with pcos have lower biotin levels in general.

[@farahtabibi3515]

Another amazing video with great content! Thank you Dr. Ellis!

[@Nusibah7]

Part 2 please. Amazing information here! Thank you

[@CosimasNiehaus]

This is my own anecdotal story so obv I’m not going to argue with science, but I had really thin hair for years and was developing somewhat of a bald spot just above my temples. I started taking 600mg biotin every day (have not altered my diet or lifestyle in any other way) and I noticed within weeks that my hair and nails were growing stronger. Recently went to my hairdressers and (after 6 months on biotin) she asked what I’ve been doing to my hair bc it felt a lot thicker and healthy AND my lil twin bald spots went away. P.S I had to get blood work done last September but I wasn’t deficient in anything, and recently had to go for a check up and all my results came back normal.

[@krystademilio1256]

Biotin works for me too! I started taking it after I noticed how great my mom's hair looked from taking it. We have thinning hair as well!!

[@dbj1852]

It interesting it didn’t work for me at all. It’s possible it could be something else in it?

[@SaltyTribeCo]

Same. I was so embarrassed and self conscious about the hair loss. I’m on month 2 of consistent daily biotin and my hair is finally growing and filling in 😭😭😭💗💗🙌🏽

[@janetguerrero7143]

@@SaltyTribeCo What brand are you taking?

[@samkh2411]

Hey Dr Ellis! Thanks for all this amazing info! Could you do an episode on especially dry and curly hair as well as dry skin? Would totally appreciate that!

[@terrirojas]

I'm growing out a pixie and am about jaw/chin length now. I've always been an everyday hair washer, even when I studied and worked at a cosmetology school. My scalp was oily in my youth, but now I can get away with skipping a day. BUT, I suffer from allergies so I have to at least rinse it at night. I have fine hair and used to have lots of it and despite daily washing and heat styling it was always healthy. But now in my mid 40's, I easily notice my scalp along my hairline and crown, and I'm experiencing breakage. Bums me out. Thank you for mentioning the shedding - I've now tried to minimize washing everyday in hopes I don't shed as much, but notice even MORE shedding than when I wash daily. I use sulfate free shampoo because I have color treated hair, but I do like the silicones. Also have noticed that "volumizing" shampoos tangle my hair more. I just need to go back to my tried and true brand and stop messing around. Thanks for this video.