7 Hair Myths Debunked: Expert Tips from our Park Slope Salon
Fact or fiction? The internet is flooded with "miracle" haircare solutions. What’s more, national beauty brands market to consumers with technical language that can be confusing. To help you separate truth from trend, our team of expert hairstylists at Union Beauty in Park Slope, Brooklyn, is debunking the 7 common hair myths we hear about the most.
Here is what you actually need to know about hair color, cuts, and texture care—and how to treat your hair right.
Myth 1: Your Hair Gets "Tired" of the Same Shampoo
FALSE. Hair is made of dead keratin cells, meaning it can’t adapt or build a tolerance to products. If your shampoo stops working, it’s usually due to expired products or seasonal weather shifts.
The Winter Fix: Hair tends to be parched in the colder months. Treat it to deep hydration with the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Masque (Shop Here).
The Summer Fix: Shield your hair from high humidity and UV rays with our new favorite R+Co Sun Catcher Butter (Shop Here).
Myth 2: Brushing Your Hair 100 Strokes a Day Promotes Growth
FALSE. Over-brushing actually causes friction, breakage, and split ends. While gentle scalp stimulation does encourage hair growth, 100 strokes is overkill. Instead, tailor your routine to your hair texture:
Straight/Wavy Hair: Brush once a day (wet or dry) using a daily protectant like R+Co Candy Stripe Detangler (Shop Here).
Curly/Coily Hair: Only brush when wet with plenty of conditioner to avoid creating frizzy, damaged curls.
Myth 3: Plucking One Gray Hair Makes Three More Grow Back
FALSE. Plucking won't multiply your grays, but the gray hair will grow back and often be more prominent because of an aggravated follicle. And it can permanently damage the hair follicle, leading to thinning or bald patches.
The Expert Fix: If those grays are driving you crazy, don't pluck—color. Visit our Park Slope hair salon for a Single-Process Hair Color Appointment, or consider a Gray Blending Consultation for less maintenance.
Myth 4: Double-Process Hair Color Permanently Ruins Your Hair
NOT NECESSARILY. A double-process (global bleach followed by a toner) is demanding, but also a fantastic way to achieve butter blonde or champagne blonde. You can maintain a stunning, healthy platinum look with the right care:
See a professional. Don’t try this at home, kids… we’ve had to fix the results. Book a Blonde Consultation With Us to map out a safe lightening path.
Stick to a schedule: Come in every 4–6 weeks. Regular root touch-ups actually require less bleach because there is less regrowth to lift.
Invest in repair: Use a luxury, reparative treatment like the R+Co Bleu De Luxe Masque (Shop Here) to lock in deep moisture.
Myth 5: Bond-Builders (Like Olaplex) Work for Everyone
FALSE. Bond-builders repair disulfide bonds broken by heavy chemical processing or highlighting. If you have healthy, virgin hair, using bond-builders too often will over-proteinize your strands, making them brittle and dry.
The Solution: For un-processed hair, stick to a high-quality, sulfate-free formula. We love R+Co Bleu Essential Shampoo and Conditioner (Shop Here) which offers hydration and shine for every hair type.
Myth 6: Transitioning from Highlights to a Single-Process Color is Easy
FALSE. Moving from highlights to an all-over darker shade falls into the complex territory of hair color correction. Because highlights create varied porosity and uneven tones, simply putting one box color over the top will result in a patchy, stripped look. In the salon, we’re able to assess the different tones and areas of porosity, create a custom formulation and application, and make adjustments if the hair doesn’t respond the way we expected.
The Solution: Let our Brooklyn color correction specialists safely balance your hair tone. Book a Complimentary Color Correction Consultation to get your dream shade back.
Myth 7: Blow-Dryers Cause Irreversible Hair Damage Every Time
DEPENDS ON YOUR TECHNIQUE. Any time heat is applied to the hair, the hair is at risk of damage, especially if you use high-heat blow-dry brushes on fine hair. Coarser hair can handle more heat, but the golden rule for all hair textures is using a professional heat protectant.
For a bouncy home blowout, prep with R+Co Mood Swing (Shop Here).
For flat irons or curling wands, shield your strands up to 450°F with R+Co Hypersonic (Shop Here).
Ready to Elevate Your Haircare Routine?
Whether you want to try a bold new hair color trend, need a custom haircut tailored to your texture, or just want to treat yourself to a flawless blowout, our Park Slope salon stylists are here to bring your hair goals to life.
Ready for a change? Click Here to Book Your Next Appointment at Union Beauty
Not sure what you need? Schedule a Complimentary Consultation with an Expert Stylist