Four hair care myths, checked
Each fact comes from AAD guidance. None of it needs a special product.
"Brush 100 strokes a day"
The AAD calls this a myth. Brush and comb only to style, without pulling or tugging.
"Everyone should wash daily"
Wash based on how fast your hair gets oily. Dry, curly or thick hair can go much longer than straight hair on an oily scalp.
"Rub hair dry with a towel"
Rubbing is on the AAD list of damaging habits. Wrap hair in a towel to absorb water, then let it air dry.
"A tight ponytail is harmless"
Tight ponytails, buns and cornrows pull on the roots. The AAD suggests wearing hair loosely pulled back.
How often should you wash your hair?
There is no single correct schedule. The AAD advises washing based on how often your hair gets dirty or oily. Straight hair on an oily scalp may need a daily shampoo. Dry, textured, curly or thick hair can be shampooed when needed, at least once every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Shampoo the scalp, not the full length of your hair.
- Condition by texture: the ends for fine or straight hair, the entire length for dry or curly hair.
- Comb with care: let straight hair dry a bit first; comb textured hair or tight curls while damp. Use a wide-tooth comb either way.
Heat Styling Safety Checker
Pick your tool, its temperature setting and your uses per week. The checker compares that routine with AAD heat styling tips and suggests a lower-risk version. Nothing leaves your browser.
How it works: the AAD says to use a flat iron on dry hair, on low or medium heat, no more often than every other day (up to 4 days a week). For blow dryers, curling irons and hot combs it says to use the lowest setting and aim for once a week or less. Heat above that level adds 1 point (medium) or 2 (high); uses above the limit add 1 point, or 2 above twice the limit. 0 points = lower risk, 1 to 2 = moderate, 3 or more = high. General guidance, not medical advice.
Shedding or hair loss? Warning signs
The AAD says it is normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. Shedding far more is called excessive hair shedding (telogen effluvium). Hair loss is different: the hair stops growing back. The AAD describes these signs of hair loss:
Gradual thinning
Thinning on top of the head, or a part that keeps getting wider.
Receding hairline
A hairline that becomes more visible each year.
A bald spot
A slowly growing spot, or a smooth round patch, which can be a first sign of alopecia areata.
Thinner ponytail
Many women first notice less fullness in their ponytail.
Clumps in the brush
Clumps that fall out when you comb or brush signal sudden hair loss.
When to see a dermatologist
See a board-certified dermatologist if you notice any of these signs, or lose more hair than usual without knowing why. A dermatologist can tell hair loss from shedding and find the cause. The AAD says treatment delivers the best results when started at the first sign of hair loss. The AAD says minoxidil needs about 6 to 12 months of use before you know how well it works, and its benefits stop when you stop.
Common questions
How often should I wash my hair?
The AAD says straight hair on an oily scalp may need a daily shampoo, while dry, textured, curly or thick hair needs one at least once every 2 to 3 weeks.
How many hairs a day is normal to lose?
Between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the AAD.
How often can I use a flat iron?
The AAD says on dry hair, on low or medium heat, no more often than every other day.
Hair guides
Longer reads on hair types, curls and growth.
Hair Type Chart: The Complete 1A to 4C Guide
The Andre Walker typing system and what each type needs.
Read the guideBest Shampoo for Curly Hair: How to Choose
Sulfate-free shampoo, co-wash or clarifier: which cleanser fits which curl type.
Read the guideHow to Grow Hair Faster: What the Evidence Says
Length retention, nutrition, scalp massage and rosemary oil.
Read the guide