Pinoy Hair Myths, Debunked by a Dermatologist

If you grew up in the Philippines, chances are your lola, titas, or even your own parents handed down some pretty passionate warnings about your hair. “Don’t go to bed with wet hair,” they’d say. “You’ll go blind!” Or maybe they warned you never to pluck a white strand, lest it summon more. But how many of these old-school beliefs actually hold up to science?

To clear things up, we spoke to board-certified dermatologist and current Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) president, Jasmin Jamora, MD, who debunks these widely believed myths—backed by years of clinical experience and scientific knowledge.

Dr. Jasmin Jamora, President of the Philippine Cermatological Society. Photo: Kieran Punay.

Myth 1: Sleeping with wet hair can make you go blind.

Let’s start with one of the most alarming and most widely-believed myths. According to Dr. Jamora, there is absolutely no scientific basis for this claim. Getting under the covers with damp strands might feel uncomfortable or leave you with flat roots, but it has nothing to do with your eyesight. In fact, she shares that she herself showers before bed and (newsflash!) she still sees just fine.

“I’m not blind, my eyes are okay, and I usually take a shower before I sleep,” Dr. Jamora reiterates. “You will not go blind. I promise.”

What’s the real risk here? At most, sleeping with wet hair might lead to a slightly itchy scalp or cause friction against your pillow, leading to breakage. But as for the eyesight scare? Total fiction.

Myth 2: Plucking white hairs makes more grow back.

This one is practically a rite of passage—spotting your first gray hair and debating whether or not to yank it out. But Dr. Jamora warns against the habit, not because it will multiply gray strands (it won’t), but because repeated plucking can damage the hair follicle permanently.

“The problem with picking off your white hair, there’s only a finite number of hairs on your head,” she says. “So at some point, if you pull out all the white hairs, hindi na siya marereplace.”

So no, you won’t magically sprout five new gray hairs in its place, but you might end up with a bald spot instead. “Don’t pluck your gray hair.  It’s not that more will appear but the concern is you may not grow any more additional hair follicles,” Dr. Jamora advises. Embrace the gray, she says. It’s chic, on trend, and much cheaper than a full salon dye job. “Uso naman yan ngayon, ‘di ba?” she laughs. 

Myth 3: Brushing your hair 100 times a day makes it shinier.

Somewhere along the line, the idea that excessive brushing equals healthy, glossy hair became beauty gospel. But Dr. Jamora says this habit is not just unnecessary, it could actually harm your hair. “My concern with too many brushstrokes is that you might pull out some hair while you’re brushing it vigorously,” she says.

A few gentle strokes with a soft-bristled brush are enough to detangle and distribute natural oils. Going beyond that (especially with excessive brushing) can lead to breakage or even hair fall. 

Bottom line: your hair’s shine has more to do with how well you condition and protect it than how many times you brush it. “Your hair is already shiny, actually, on its own if It’s well-conditioned and well taken care of,” Dr. Jamora says.

Myth 4: Shaving makes hair grow back faster and thicker.

This myth is especially persistent when it comes to body hair. According to Dr. Jamora, the illusion of “thicker” regrowth after shaving comes from how the hair is cut, not from any actual change in its texture or growth rate. “If you think about it, when you were young, the hair grows out and was very thin and fine,” she explains. “And as it reaches the skin, it gets bigger, thicker.

So if you shave it, what you will see is like thick hair coming out.”

When you shave, you’re slicing the hair at a blunt angle, which makes it feel coarser or look darker as it grows back. But shaving doesn’t affect the root of the hair or its growth cycle. “The rate of hair growth is kind of fixed,” she debunks. The hair isn’t growing faster or thicker, it just looks different because the blunt end when you cut it looks darker. 

Myth 5: Biotin is the ultimate hair loss cure.

Biotin has gained a reputation as the miracle supplement for hair loss, but Dr. Jamora urges caution. She explains that unless you’re actually deficient in biotin (which is uncommon, according to studies), taking it likely won’t make much of a difference. “If you are not biotin deficient, then you don’t need biotin,” she tells us. In fact, since it’s a micronutrient, it’s not as effective as other products, according to the PDS president. 

More effective treatments, like saw palmetto, Dr. Jasmin says, are better suited for cases like genetic hair loss. But the key is to stop guessing: if you’re experiencing hair fall, see a board-certified dermatologist who can help you identify the root cause and recommend evidence-based treatments.

Myth 6: Castor oil will make your hair grow.

It’s tempting to believe that slathering your scalp in oils like castor oil will lead to faster hair growth. While Dr. Jamora acknowledges that these oils can be good moisturizers (quick tip: she actually prefers coconut oil for that), they aren’t miracle growth serum. At least, there are not enough studies to back that claim. “For hair growth, none of these oils have been proven,” she says. 

However, she notes that some early studies have shown promise for essential oils like rosemary and thyme, especially when delivered in certain carriers like cedar oil. Still, the evidence is limited and should be approached with realistic expectations.

What really works? Ask a derm.

Hair care doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be informed. There’s so much misinformation out there, and these myths can do more harm than good when they delay proper care.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, thinning, or scalp issues, skip the social media tips and go straight to a qualified expert. You can find a trusted board-certified dermatologist through the Philippine Dermatological Society at pds.org.ph (not an ad, just a genuine advice!)

Because when it comes to hair, it’s time we trade old wives’ tales for real, rooted-in-science advice.