Ever hear a crazy hair tip from a buddy that turned out to be a total game-changer? But just as often, that crazy hair tip turns out to be a total dud. We love hair tips and hacks, but too many viral haircare hacks are based on myths that could do more harm than good. To help you out, here are just some of the most common summer hair myths we hear:

Myth 1: You Only Need Heat Protectant if You’re Using a Straightener

Truth: Heat protectants benefit and protect against all forms of heat styling (including blow drying)

You don’t need to be flat-ironing your fringe to fry your hair, even a 60-second shot with your dryer is enough! That’s because heat opens up the cuticle layer of your hair, and if it’s not protected, you’re basically slow-cooking the moisture out of each strand. Over time, that leads to dry ends, frizz, breakage, and that gross “crispy” feel.

Even if your styling routine is simple—towel dry and a quick blast with the blow dryer—over the long run a heat protectant will help. 

That’s where Wax Fiber comes in. Not only is it a lightweight pre-styler that gives your hair volume and control, but it also provides built-in heat protection. Work a small amount through damp hair before blow drying to get a natural-looking lift and hold without overly drying it. It sets your foundation for styling while shielding your strands from damage.

Myth 2: Putting Table Salt in Water Will Give You Amazing Instant Waves/Curls

Truth: Salt water can highlight existing texture but…

It’s not going impact stick straight hair as much as those who naturally have waves/curls. But as with all good myths, there’s a kernel of truth in there. Salt water’s impact is greatest on hair that is already a bit wavy or curly before styling. Curly hair is pretty easy to spot, but what if you’re not sure whether you have waves hiding on your head? It can be a bit harder to tell unless you have some length, but here are some signs:

- When your hair is wet and unbrushed it makes S-shape clumps, OR it looks straight when wet but “shrinks” to look shorter when it's dry.

- You’re prone to frizz, puffiness, or ends that stick out randomly.

- Your hair gets tangled easily.

Now, once you’ve figured out you have wavy hair, don’t go grabbing your salt shaker quite yet. People try making their own salt water mixtures to mimic the ocean, which does a great job of bringing out loose curls and waves.

But a simple home made mixture can leave your hair damaged—lack of quality control and proper ingredients. Instead, try our Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. We've incorporated cucumber and algae extracts that keep hair soft and moisturized while also preventing breakage and dryness. Just a few spritzes and you can wave hello to amazing texture. 

Myth 3: Only Blonde Hair is Affected by Summer Sunshine

Truth: UV rays impact ALL hair colors.

We’re not denying that blondes going blonder in the summer. And sure, UV rays do lighten lighter shades more noticeably. But darker hair isn’t safe from the sun either—it just shows the damage differently. Rather than going gold, guys with brown or black hair can end up with a dull, brassy, or reddish tint, and their hair can become weaker and more prone to breakage.

That’s because UV rays break down the proteins in your hair and zap out the moisture. Add chlorine or salt water from days of boating or surfing into the mix and you’ve got the perfect storm for dried-out, faded, and fried hair.

Your move? Start thinking about sun protection for your hair the same way you do for your skin. There are specific sunscreen sprays for hair that you can use, and wearing a hat or taking breaks in the shade are the best places to start. 

Start thinking about your current hair health and its hydration and moisture. Incorporate deep conditioning methods, hair oils, and most important drink water!

Myth 4: Humidity Damages Hair

Truth: Humidity doesn’t necessarily cause damage, but it can reveal damage you already have or are facing.

Humidity gets a bad rap, but it’s not the villain people think it is. When your hair suddenly poofs up or falls flat in muggy weather, it’s not because the humidity damaged it. It’s because your hair wasn’t ready to handle the moisture in the first place. That’s especially true for guys with wavy, frizzy, or thick hair.

When the air is humid, it penetrates the hair shaft and causes it to swell, which makes dry, porous hair misbehave even more. If your hair is healthy and well-moisturized, it’ll resist the change. Of course, some hair textures (like the ones we mentioned above) will react to humidity in the air no matter how healthy the hair, but that doesn’t mean you aren't able to do something about it.

So what do you do? Moisturize. Just a couple of drops of Hydrating Hair Oil through damp or dry hair helps replenish moisture, smooth down the cuticle, and create a lightweight seal against frizz. It’s packed with natural ingredients like coconut oil, sesame seed oil, and rosemary oil to nourish hair without weighing your style down.