Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim busts 7 hair care myths, including if plucking grey hair will make more grow

Celebrity hair stylist Aalim Hakim debunks some popular hair care myths.

Updated on: Jul 25, 2025, 16:33:25 IST

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When it comes to hair care, we probably get advice from almost everywhere — friends, family members and social media. But not all of it may be true. Over the years, many myths about washing, cutting, colouring, and caring for hair have taken root and are often mistaken for facts. Be it about shampooing your hair on a regular basis or oiling your hair every night for shiny glossy hair, there have been plenty of hair care tales we have been listening and following from our grannies. We asked celebrity hair stylist, Aalim Hakim, who has worked with actors like Ahaan Panday, Sonu Nigam, Vicky Kaushal, and sport stars like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and more, to bust the most common myths about hair care.

Aalim Hakim breaks the myths around hair care (Instagram)

By Shweta Pandey

Shweta Pandey is a Senior Content Writer at Hindustan Times, with over 12 years of experience in beauty and wellness journalism, specialising in makeup, skincare, and hair care.

She began her professional writing journey in 2011, entering the evolving world of digital lifestyle journalism as beauty and wellness content rapidly transformed in India. Over the years, she has worked with reputed digital media houses like India Today, the Times of India and Skymet Weather, steadily building credibility through well-researched features, product reviews, and trend analyses. Her career reflects consistent growth, moving from content contributor to senior writer. She now plays a key role in shaping editorial strategy, social media content, and ensuring high-quality, reader-focused content that aligns with evolving audience needs.

Shweta’s core expertise spans makeup, skincare, hair care, and holistic health and fitness. She specialises in in-depth beauty product reviews, ingredient analysis, skincare routines, and evidence-based wellness advice. Known for her analytical and data-driven approach, she relies on verified sources, dermatological insights, and expert consultations to ensure credibility. Her field experience includes interviewing Bollywood celebrities, beauty and makeup professionals, tracking consumer trends, and simplifying the top picks.

Shweta holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Advertising, and Journalism and has done Bachelor’s in Commerce from Delhi University. She believes in delivering reader-first insights that empower informed decisions while maintaining transparency, credibility, and trust.

Beyond her writing desk, Shweta enjoys exploring new destinations, experimenting in the kitchen with delightful recipes, and staying in tune with the latest beauty and wellness trends.

Myth: Dandruff is caused by dry scalp

Aalim Hakim: It's not only dry scalp that causes dandruff. Dandruff is also caused on oily scalp. He further tells that in fact, dandruff caused due to oily scalp is rather more dangerous. As per Aalim, dandruff on dry scalp is flaky in nature and often falls, but the dandruff caused due to oily scalp is rigid and is not that easy to remove. It is therefore crucial to clean your scalp, whatever type it is, rigorously. Dandruff is also caused due to stress, lack of sleep, and certain medical conditions.

Myth: Trimming make your hair grow faster

Aalim Hakim: This is a myth! Hair grows from the roots and not from the ends. So, regular trimming of your hair is important to get rid of split ends, and damaged hair ends. Nourished hair looks fuller and prevents hair breakage. Trimming has nothing to do with your hair growth rate.

Myth: Brushing your hair 100 times a day makes it shinier

Aalim Hakim: Brushing your hair 100 times a day does not make it shinier. In fact, it is the static electricity that is generated by brushing that makes your hair look shinier. However, the kind of hairbrush you use also makes an impact in your hair. In fact, excessive brushing can actually cause hair damage and hair loss.

Myth: Washing your hair every day keeps it clean and healthy

Aalim Hakim: This is true. Just like your body, your hair needs frequent washing too. Especially for people who step out more often and are mostly out in pollution and dust, needs to wash their hair regularly, rather can wash it daily. Daily hair washing can free your scalp from dirt, dust, and build-up.

Myth: Air drying is always better than blow-drying

Aalim Hakim: This is true. Excessive blow-drying is harmful for your hair, rather air drying your hair is a natural process that can be gentle on your hair and retains its natural moisture. However, air drying takes a lot of time.

Myth: Oiling your hair overnight is a must

Aalim Hakim: Oiling is recommended on clean and dirt-free hair, as oiling dirty hair results in dirt accumulation and may clog pores. Rather, Aalim does not recommend oiling at all. Our scalp has oil glands that produce sufficient oil and hence, oiling overnight is not really recommended.

Myth: Plucking a grey hair will cause more to grow

Aalim Hakim: Graying of hair is common as we age and cannot be reversed. Though plucking of gray hair does not cause more gray hair to grow, but Aalim does not recommend plucking of hair from the roots. Plucking gray hair will remove that hair and a new hair will grow in that place, which may or may not be gray.