3 Haircare Myths Holding You Back

What You REALLY Need for Hair Growth After 40

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by slow hair growth or overwhelmed by the sheer number of products in your bathroom cabinet, you’re not alone. Many women, especially over 40, are led to believe that hair growth is either a lost cause due to age, or that they need every product under the sun to see results. But here’s the truth: the key to healthy hair growth doesn’t lie in quick fixes or product overload—it’s understanding the real factors that impact your hair and building habits that work.

In this post, we’re going to bust three common myths about hair growth that could be holding you back, and I’ll share what really makes a difference for women like you who want to see long-term hair transformation. Ready to get started?

 

Myth 1: More Products = Better Results

I can’t tell you how many times I hear this: 'If I just buy this new product or try that trending treatment, my hair will finally grow.' Sound familiar? So many of us get caught up in the idea that more products mean better results.

But adding more products to your routine won’t necessarily fix your hair issues, especially if you’re not addressing the root cause.

Let’s Bust the Myth

  • Key Point: It’s not about the quantity of products but the quality of your routine.
  • Share that many women with hair loss, particularly over 40, feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of products marketed to them. But using too many products can lead to product buildup on the scalp, which actually blocks hair growth.
  • Piling on oils, leave-ins, gels, and creams can suffocate the scalp and prevent it from breathing, which is key for healthy follicles.

What’s the Real Fix?

  • Tip 1: Focus on a Consistent Routine with Key Products
Instead of focusing on all the new products out there, focus on a simple, consistent routine. You don’t need 20+ different products in your cabinet!
It's important to have a few targeted items that truly address your needs:
    • a good scalp oil,
    • a hydrating mist,
    • a moisturizing conditioner.

 Regular use of essential products (like the BALM Hair & Scalp Treatment) can make a noticeable difference when used consistently.

  • Pro tip: It’s better to find products that nourish your scalp and hair and use them in a consistent routine, rather than constantly switching it up.
  • Tip 2: Clean Your Scalp Properly
Here’s something that gets overlooked: cleansing your scalp properly. No matter how amazing a product is, if it’s sitting on top of old product buildup, it can’t work its magic.
Proper scalp care creates the ideal environment for hair growth. I encourage you to focus on regular scalp cleansing to remove buildup from the excess products you may have tried.
  • Tip 3: Less is More
The biggest secret I want you to walk away with is this: less is more. It’s not about having 15 products; it’s about using a few, the right way. Quality over quantity is key.
Think of your haircare routine like cooking a delicious meal. You don’t need to throw every spice in your cabinet into the pot to make it taste good. In fact, too many ingredients can ruin the dish! Instead, using just a few high-quality, fresh ingredients in the right way can create a meal that’s rich, satisfying, and exactly what you need. The same goes for your hair—using a few key products, consistently and correctly, will get you the results you’re craving, rather than overwhelming your hair with too much.

 

So remember, the next time you’re tempted to try another new product, take a step back and think: is this adding to my healthy hair routine, or is it just adding clutter?"

If you’re not sure where to start with simplifying your haircare routine, I’ve got you covered.

My Emergency Haircare Planner launching October 2nd breaks everything down—no more overwhelm, just a clear, easy-to-follow plan. Whether you’re dealing with scalp issues, dryness, or breakage, this planner will help you focus on what really works.

 

Myth 2: "Age Means Hair Growth is Impossible"

One of the most common myths I hear is that once you hit 40, it’s game over for your hair. People say, ‘My hair just doesn’t grow like it used to,’ and believe age alone is the reason.

But let me tell you, age doesn’t have to be a barrier to hair growth! Your hair’s potential doesn’t just dry up because you’re getting older.

Let’s Bust the Myth

Key Point: Age alone is not the enemy—other factors, like diet, stress, and how you care for your scalp, are often the real culprits.

Yes, our bodies change as we age, but that doesn’t mean hair growth has to stop. The way your body processes nutrients, your hormone levels, and your overall health can impact your hair. But with the right care, you can still see great results.

What’s the Real Fix?

  • Tip 1: Prioritize Nutrition
    • Hair growth starts from within. What you eat plays a massive role in how your hair grows, especially as you age.
    • Including nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, healthy fats, and protein is essential for hair health. Some key nutrients that support hair growth, are biotin, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Tip 2: Manage Stress
Stress is one of the sneaky factors that can wreak havoc on your hair growth. When you’re stressed, your body shifts its focus away from hair growth, which is why you might see more shedding or thinning.
  • Key Point: When you’re under stress, your body goes into “survival mode,” focusing on essential functions like keeping your heart beating and managing your energy levels. Hair growth, unfortunately, isn’t considered essential in this state.
What Happens When You’re Stressed? During stressful periods, your body produces higher levels of the hormone cortisol. This hormone impacts hair growth by shifting the hair follicles into a resting phase, known as telogen effluvium. This phase is where hair growth temporarily stops and hair begins to shed more than usual.
You might not notice it immediately, but over time, you’ll see more hair falling out or thinning areas, especially along the hairline or at the crown. This is your body responding to stress!
  • Stress Doesn’t Just Stop Growth—It Weakens Your Hair "Not only does stress slow down the growth cycle, but it also weakens the hair strands themselves. Hair that does grow may become more brittle or prone to breakage because stress affects the nutrients your body directs to hair follicles.
How to Combat Stress for Healthy Hair The good news is that by managing your stress levels, you can shift your body out of survival mode and back into growth mode. Finding ways to reduce or manage stress—like regular exercise, mindfulness practices, or just taking time for self-care—can have a big impact on your hair health.
  • Scalp Massage for Stress Relief: Mention how a good scalp massage not only stimulates hair growth but can also lower cortisol levels and relax the body. A 10-minute scalp massage each night, with something like the BALM Hair & Scalp Treatment, can become a relaxing part of your routine, helping you de-stress and boost hair health at the same time.

 

  • Tip 3: Scalp Health is Key
Your scalp is like the foundation of your hair—if it’s not healthy, your hair won’t grow as it should."
Keeping your scalp clean is important. Not only clean but moisturized, and well-nourished, especially as hormone changes can lead to drier scalps over 40.
Using products that promote scalp health, like the BALM Hair & Scalp Treatment, can help create the optimal environment for growth.

Myth 3: "You Need Results Overnight"

Hair growth is a journey, not a quick fix. "We’ve all seen those miracle products promising overnight hair growth—'Get longer hair in 7 days!' or 'Watch your hairline come back in a week!' But I’m here to tell you, that’s not how hair works. Hair growth isn’t an overnight process, no matter what the ads say."

I get it; we live in a world of quick fixes. But when it comes to hair, it’s about steady progress, not instant gratification.

Let’s bust the Myth

  • Key Point: Hair grows in cycles, and it takes time to see real results.
Your hair grows at an average rate of about half an inch per month. That means expecting long, thick hair in a week just isn’t realistic. But this doesn’t mean you can’t achieve growth; it just requires patience and the right habits."
Your hair grows in cycles (anagen, catagen, telogen). It spends most of its time in the growing phase (anagen), but changes happen gradually. Your follicles are in different phases of the hair growth cycle independent of each other.

Anagen (Growth Phase):

  • This is the phase where your hair is actively growing. It can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years, and about 85-90% of your hair is in this phase at any given time. This is why most of your hair is consistently growing, but it’s a slow and steady process. The growing phase shortens with age.

Catagen (Transition Phase): 2 weeks – 4 weeks, up to 4 months

  • After the anagen phase, hair goes into the catagen phase, which is a short transitional period. It lasts a few weeks, and during this time, the hair follicle starts shrinking and stops growing.

Telogen (Resting Phase): Resting Phase 3 – 5 months

  • Finally, your hair enters the telogen phase, where it rests for about 3-5 months before eventually shedding. Around 10-15% of your hair is in this phase at any moment,
  • Telogen Exogen Phase– Shedding Phase
    Telogen Exogen phase is the last phase in the hair growth cycle, this is a natural shedding phase. The hair shaft (hair strand) detaches and sheds from the scalp. Daily 50 – 100 hair strands will fall out. which is why you see some hair loss daily—it’s normal!
  • Why It Matters:
    • Because hair spends most of its time in the anagen (growth) phase, changes happen slowly and gradually. It’s important to remember that just because you can’t see a huge difference right away doesn’t mean your hair isn’t growing. It just takes time for new growth to become noticeable.

What’s the Real Fix?

  • Truth: Real hair transformation takes time and commitment to healthy habits.
Instead of looking for overnight results, focus on building sustainable haircare habits. Things like regular scalp massages, proper nutrition, and protective styling will help you see real progress over the long term.
Let me tell you a quick story. When I decided to run a marathon, I didn’t just show up on race day and expect to cross the finish line. I had to train for months, building my endurance step by step. Some days, it felt like I wasn’t making progress at all, but every run, no matter how small, added up. And on race day, I finished strong.
That’s exactly how it is with hair growth. You have to put in the time and commitment, and while it may not feel like much is happening day to day, over time, all those little efforts add up to big changes.

 

So, the next time you’re feeling impatient, just remember: the key to hair growth is consistency, patience, and the right routine. Your hair can and will grow, but give it time, just like any other part of your self-care journey.

And I’m here with you, every step of the way, to help you reach those hair goals.



 

Leave a comment

Name .
.
Message .

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Back to Get Your Hair Together!