8 Men’s Hair-Care Myths: What to Do Instead

Product update: By Vilain Powermade has been improved and reformulated as By Vilain Flow Pomade. The original images have been retained and may show the former Powermade product.

Some hair advice turns a useful habit into a rule that supposedly works for everyone. Other tips confuse a change in appearance with a change in growth. A clearer routine starts by asking what a product or technique can actually do.

Here are eight common assumptions worth reconsidering, with a practical alternative for each.

1. “Cutting hair makes it grow faster”

A haircut changes the length and shape you can see. It does not switch on faster growth. Mayo Clinic explains that shaving does not change hair’s growth rate or thickness; a blunt cut can simply feel different as it grows out.

Instead: ask for trims that support your target style. If you are growing the hair out, explain how much length you want to keep before the scissors come out.

2. “Every man should follow the same wash schedule”

A routine for dry curls may not suit an oily scalp with daily product buildup. There is no universal rule that everyone must wash daily or that daily washing is always wrong.

Instead: base the routine on how your scalp and hair feel. Our hair-care basics explain how to adapt the wash, condition and styling steps.

3. “Rinse-out and leave-in conditioners are interchangeable”

They are designed for different uses. Leaving a rinse-out product in overnight is not the same as choosing a leave-in conditioner. The AAD advises using each type as intended.

Instead: read the directions before applying it. If the bottle says rinse, rinse. If you want a leave-in step, select a product made for that job.

4. “Air-drying is always best, whatever the routine”

A drying method cannot be judged separately from the way you handle your hair. Rough towel rubbing and pulling at knots are avoidable whether you finish with air-drying or a dryer.

Instead: remove excess water gently. If you blow-dry, use a low setting and keep the dryer moving. The AAD’s damage-prevention advice focuses on gentler handling and reducing heat exposure.

5. “Heat protection means any temperature is fine”

A heat-protectant is part of a styling routine, not a reason to keep heating one section until it feels uncomfortable. Product instructions and sensible tool use still matter.

Instead: apply your protectant as directed, start with a low heat setting and stop when the style is dry and shaped. Do not keep passing over finished sections out of habit.

6. “Matte means strong hold, and shine means weak hold”

Finish describes how the hair looks; hold describes the control the product offers. Read both. For example, Hanz de Fuko Heavymade combines high shine with extreme hold, while By Vilain Flow Pomade offers natural shine with light, flexible hold.

Instead: decide how much movement you want, then choose the shine level separately. Start with a small amount and build only where the style needs it.

7. “A hat automatically causes baldness”

A hat alone does not establish the cause of hair loss. Tight pulling and repeated friction deserve attention, though. The AAD describes how repeated tension from hairstyles or coverings can cause traction hair loss.

Instead: avoid painfully tight styles or coverings. Get persistent irritation or visible hair loss assessed rather than guessing the cause from your headwear.

8. “Hair supplements guarantee faster growth”

A supplement is not an automatic solution to slow growth or shedding. Nutritional needs and a diagnosed deficiency are different from a marketing promise.

Instead: avoid choosing supplements blindly. The AAD’s review of beauty supplements highlights limits in the evidence. For a practical grow-out routine, focus on the care and styling steps in our nine-step long-hair guide.

Related guides

• How to Choose a Shampoo: Scalp Needs, Fragrance and Labels
• How to Grow Long Hair: 9 Practical Steps for Men