Myth busters: 10 hair, nail and beauty myths your clients still believe
Lime Light Hair & Beauty · 27 October 2026 · 7 min read
Does cutting hair make it grow faster? Does gel polish ruin your nails? Do pores open and close? We bust ten of the most common salon myths, explain what really happens, and share what to use instead.
Published 2 November 2026 by Lime Light Hair & Beauty Products.
💡 The quick answer
Hair: trims do not make hair grow faster, you cannot "train" an oily scalp, and heat protection is needed for every heat tool.
Nails: gel polish does not ruin nails (bad removal does), and nails do not need to "breathe".
Colour: purple shampoo is a once or twice a week product, plucking greys will not double them, and 20 volume is the standard for grey coverage.
Beauty and skin: waxing does not make hair grow back thicker, and pores cannot open and close.
Share it: perfect for your salon's social media, waiting area or client newsletter.
Why do beauty myths matter?
Every hairdresser, nail technician and beauty therapist has heard them: the old wives' tales clients repeat in the chair. Some are harmless, but others lead to damaged hair, broken nails or products used the wrong way. Busting them builds trust, helps clients get better results at home, and makes it easy to recommend the right product. Here are ten of the most common, investigated by our very own detective.
Myth 1: Does cutting your hair make it grow faster?
No. Hair grows from the follicle under the scalp, so what happens at the ends has no effect on the speed of growth. What regular trims do is remove split ends before they travel further up the strand. Hair that is not splitting looks thicker and healthier, so it can seem to grow faster.
- Pro tip: between trims, protect ends with a leave-in such as milk_shake incredible milk, which helps prevent split ends, or a few drops of BEAMARRY Ultimate Repair Serum.
Myth 2: Can you train your hair to be less oily?
Not really. How much oil your scalp makes depends on genetics, hormones, the weather and your lifestyle, not on how often you wash. Going longer between washes will not "retrain" it. The best plan is to wash as often as your scalp needs, with the right shampoo.
- For oily scalps: a balancing shampoo such as milk_shake normalizing blend or BEAMARRY Rosemary Tea Tree Energy.
- Between washes: milk_shake lifestyling dry shampoo absorbs oil and adds volume.
Myth 3: Does gel polish ruin your natural nails?
No. When nails are damaged after gel, the usual culprits are peeling or picking the gel off, which removes layers of the natural nail with it, or over-filing during prep or removal. Applied and removed properly, gel polish is a safe, long-lasting service.
- Prep gently: use Gelish Foundation base for a strong bond without aggressive filing.
- Remove properly: lightly file the shine off, then soak with Gelish Soak Off Remover. Never force or peel gel off.
- New: the HEMA and TPO free Gelish Color Plus range. Read our launch blog for more.
Myth 4: Do your nails need to breathe between manicures?
No. Your nails are made of keratin, and they get oxygen and nutrients from the blood supply under the nail bed, not from the air. There is nothing wrong with a break between manicures if you want one, but what nails really need is moisture.
- Pro tip: massage Gelish Nourishing Cuticle Oil into the cuticles and nails every day, with or without polish on.
Myth 5: Does using purple shampoo every day give you a better blonde?
No. Purple shampoo uses violet pigments to neutralise yellow and brassy tones, which is brilliant once or twice a week. Used at every wash, it can build up, leaving very light blondes with a lilac tint and hair that feels dry. Alternate it with a nourishing shampoo instead.
- Choose your toner: milk_shake silver shine, BEAMARRY Lavender Biotin Purple Shampoo or Nouvelle Yellow Killer Shampoo.
- Very light hair: leave it on for less time and check the result.
Myth 6: If you pull out one grey hair, will two grow back?
No. Each follicle grows one hair, so plucking a grey will not double them. Plucking can irritate or damage the follicle, though, and repeated plucking can stop it growing a hair at all. Grey hairs are best covered, not pulled.
- Long-term: permanent colour such as Nouvelle Cream Color gives full grey coverage.
- Between appointments: milk_shake SOS roots hides regrowth in seconds.
Myth 7: Does stronger peroxide give better grey coverage?
No. For most permanent colour, 20 volume (6%) developer is the standard for grey coverage. Higher volumes such as 30 and 40 are for lift, not coverage, and using them unnecessarily can cause more damage and unwanted warmth. Always follow the colour manufacturer's mixing guide.
- Read more: our Peroxide strengths explained guide covers every volume from 5 to 40.
Myth 8: Does waxing make hair grow back thicker and darker?
No. Hair removal does not change the follicle, so it cannot make hair thicker or darker. Shaved hair can feel coarse because it is cut bluntly at the surface. Waxing removes hair from the root, and many clients find their regrowth feels softer and sparser over time with regular waxing.
- For smooth results: Depilève cartridge and hot waxes, such as Aloe Vera, with a Depilève wax warmer. See our Depilève waxing guide.
Myth 9: Do you only need heat protection with a straightener?
No. Blow-dryers, curling tongs, hot brushes and stylers all use heat. Heat protection should go on every time you heat-style, not just before flat ironing.
- Protect every time: milk_shake lifestyling thermo protector, BEAMARRY Heat & Sun Protection Spray or milk_shake incredible milk, which protects against heat.
Myth 10: Does steam open your pores and cold water close them?
No. Pores do not have muscles, so they cannot open or close. What steam does is soften the skin and loosen oil and debris, which makes cleansing and extractions easier and more comfortable. Cold water simply feels refreshing.
- In the treatment room: a Ribalta Facial Steamer and an LED magnifying lamp. See our Salon equipment guide for more.
Myth or fact? Test your clients
Print this quick quiz for your waiting area or share it on social media:
| Statement | Myth or fact? |
|---|---|
| Regular trims make hair grow faster | Myth. They keep ends healthy. |
| You should use heat protection every time you blow-dry | Fact. |
| Gel polish is safe when it is soaked off properly | Fact. |
| Nails need air to breathe | Myth. They need moisture. |
| Purple shampoo is best used once or twice a week | Fact. |
| Plucking a grey hair makes two grow back | Myth. |
| 40 volume developer is best for grey coverage | Myth. 20 volume is the standard. |
| Shaved hair can feel coarser than waxed regrowth | Fact. |
| Pores open and close | Myth. Steam softens the skin. |
Frequently asked questions
How often should I trim my hair?
Most people benefit from a trim every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on hair type, length and condition. Your hairdresser can advise.
How often should I use purple shampoo?
Once or twice a week for most blondes, alternating with a nourishing shampoo.
Is it bad to peel off gel polish?
Yes. Peeling gel removes layers of the natural nail. Always soak it off properly with gel remover.
Does waxing reduce hair growth?
Waxing removes hair from the root, and many people find regrowth softer and sparser over time with regular waxing.
Where can I buy professional hair, nail and beauty products?
At Lime Light: online at limelighthb.co.za, at the Lime Light Super Store in Sandton and at our branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Shop the myth-busting essentials at Lime Light
- Shop online: limelighthb.co.za
- Visit the Super Store: Block B, Tripark, 17 Eastern Service Road, Kelvin, Sandton, the largest showroom of its kind in South Africa for dedicated wholesale hair and beauty products
- Open a trade account: visit our website and hit register, fill in the details and we will approve your account
- Call us: 011 262 2451 | Email: online@limelighthb.co.za
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