1. Does rubbing brandy on a baby's scalp help him grow a full head of hair?

Dr Joyce Lee, consultant dermatologist and consultant-in-charge of the Hair and Nail Clinic at National Skin Centre, said that it is believed to improve the blood circulation and hair growth. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

2. Is it all right to wash your hair every day?

Yes and no. People with greasy hair should wash their hair more frequently to prevent grease and dirt accumulation as that causes hair to become limp and lacklustre. Those with dry, dull hair should wash it less frequently or use conditioners and mild shampoo.

People suffering from dandruff or itchy scalps should also wash their hair daily with medicated shampoo to treat the scalp condition.

3. Is it true that a new mother should not wash her hair during the confinement period?

Dr Eileen Tan, consultant dermatologist at Eileen Tan Skin, Laser and Hair Transplant Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, said: 'It's not true. I think it is important to maintain personal hygiene.'

4. Do you need to switch shampoo every once in a while because your hair gets used to the regular brand, rendering it ineffective?

Dr Lee said that if one brand of shampoo suits you, it is all right to stay with it. She added that for people who continue having an itchy scalp or dandruff, changing the brand may help. If the condition still persists, a medical consultation may be required.

5. Do you need to see a lot of lather when you shampoo?

The amount of lather reflects how much surfactant there is in the shampoo, which helps bind to grease and form soap.

Foaming occurs when surfactant molecules in the shampoo mix with air and create bubbles. What matters is that the shampoo should rinse off easily, leaving the hair smooth, manageable and easy to comb.

6. Does cutting one's hair repeatedly make it thicker and coarser?

Dr Lee said that there is no good scientific evidence that cutting the hair repeatedly will make it coarser.

Dr Tan added: 'If you shave your hair, you create a blunt edge to the hair ends, making it look coarser.'

Infants who have their hair cut develop thicker hair when it regrows as the hair on the newborn baby's head are fine. The second wave of hair that grows out is thicker and more mature.

7. If hair is already dead, do hair spas really work?

Hair treatment in hair spas generally combine relaxation therapy and hair conditioning. The latter treatment coat the hair, making them less susceptible to breakage, said Dr Tan.

Hair treatment also reduces the effects of hair weathering due to pollution and sun damage.

Read AsiaOne's hair spa reviews:
» TrichoKare
» System Professional Ceremony Treatment

8. Why does hair stop growing after a certain length?

Hair grows about half an inch a month. The growth phase of hair, also known as the anagen phase, lasts between two and six years. A full-grown hair usually measures between 40 and 70cm long. Eventually, the hair enters the telogen phase, a resting phase where the hair falls out.

9. Should you keep your hair tucked under a scarf or hat when cruising in a roofless vehicle?

It's not just about trying to look good while tearing down the highway in a convertible at high speed.

Mr Tak Matsuda, Asia-Pacific education manager for System Professional, said that the wind causes cuticle damage, particularly in long hair. He advised tucking hair under a hat or shirt or tying long hair in several places so that the strands will not fly against one another in the air.

10. If you pluck out your white hairs, will more sprout in its place?

Doctors say that there have been no clinical studies conducted to prove or disprove this theory. However, plucking hairs before they fall can damage roots or cause infection.

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on July 2, 2008.