Stupid Questions (there's no such thing): Hair

No, but it does help you keep the length you grow. Hair grows from the follicle under your scalp, and cutting the ends has no effect on that. What a trim does is remove split ends before they travel up the strand and cause breakage.

So when hair seems to stop growing, it is often growing perfectly well and simply breaking off at the ends. Regular trims keep your ends strong, so more of your length stays put and your hair looks fuller and healthier.

Not at all, if it suits your hair. There is no single rule. How often you wash depends on your hair type, length, age and how oily your scalp is. Fine, straight hair and oily scalps often feel best with frequent washing, while longer, curly or dry hair may prefer more time between washes.

A clean scalp keeps oil, yeast and build up in check, which helps with flaking and itching. If daily washing leaves your lengths dry, a gentle shampoo and a conditioner on the mid lengths and ends is a lovely fix.

Not really. Your scalp makes oil based on things like genetics, hormones and age, and there is no good evidence that washing less teaches it to make less. Some people do find their hair feels less greasy after changing their routine, but that is usually down to a gentler shampoo or using fewer heavy products.

Washing regularly is good for your scalp and does not cause hair loss. Wash as often as your hair feels it needs, and choose a shampoo made for oily scalps if you would like a little help.

No, they have earned a worse reputation than they deserve. Sulfates are cleansers that are very good at lifting away oil, dirt and product build up. They can feel drying on dry, curly or textured hair and may fade colour a little faster, so gentler cleansers are a great option for those hair types.

Silicones smooth the outside of the hair and give a lovely shine. Fine hair can sometimes feel weighed down by them, and an occasional clarifying wash clears any build up. Choose what makes your own hair feel good.

Once an end has split, a trim is the only way to remove it. Leave in conditioners, balms and smoothing serums can glue the strand together and make it look much neater for a few washes, which is great for a polished finish between cuts.

The good news is that you can help prevent new splits. Detangle gently from the ends upwards, use a heat protector, keep the dryer on a cooler setting, add a weekly conditioning or bond repair treatment, and book regular trims to keep your ends happy.

More than you might think. Shedding around 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal, and a lot of that comes out when you wash and detangle. If you wash less often, the hair shed in between can come out all at once, so a bigger clump on wash day is often nothing to worry about.

If you notice bald patches, thinning at the top of your head, or far more hair than is usual for you, please speak to your GP or doctor. They can help find the cause and the right support.

The evidence is still thin. The research behind the trend is small and has real limits, so nobody can say for sure that rosemary oil regrows hair. A gentle scalp massage with a diluted oil can feel lovely, though, and many people enjoy it as part of their routine.

Essential oils can irritate the scalp, so always dilute rosemary oil in a carrier oil and patch test first. If you are worried about thinning or hair loss, your GP, doctor or pharmacist is the best person to talk to, as there may be an underlying cause.

For most people, no. There is no solid proof that biotin helps hair grow unless you are actually low in it, which is rare. Hair often reflects your overall health, so a balanced diet does more good than a single supplement.

One important thing to know: biotin can affect the results of some blood tests, including thyroid, heart and pregnancy tests. If you take it, tell your doctor before any blood test. If your hair is thinning or shedding, please speak to your GP, doctor or pharmacist, who can check what is going on.

It will not give you a cold, which is good news. There are two small things to think about, though. Hair is at its most fragile when wet, so tossing and turning on it can lead to breakage. A damp pillow and scalp can also be a cosy spot for yeast, which may add to flaking for some people.

If you love an evening wash, gently squeeze out the water, let your hair air dry for a while or blast it about three quarters dry, and sleep with it loose rather than in a tight bun or braid.

No, your hair cannot build up a tolerance to shampoo. The lengths of your hair are not living tissue, so there is nothing to adapt. When a favourite product seems to stop working, it is usually product build up, a change in the weather, or a change to your hair from colour or heat styling.

An occasional clarifying shampoo often brings your usual products right back to their best. Some people also like a richer formula in dry winter months and a lighter one in summer, which is a lovely way to adjust.

Not really, it is a lovely idea but the science does not back it up. Shine comes from a smooth surface that reflects light, and a quick blast of cold water does not seal your hair in any lasting way. Warm water actually rinses away conditioner and residue more thoroughly, which helps hair look glossy.

So rinse at whatever temperature feels comfortable. For shine, a good conditioner, a heat protector, a smoothing serum or a gloss treatment at the salon will do far more for you.

Yes, styles that pull constantly can cause hair loss called traction alopecia. Tight ponytails, buns, braids, weaves and extensions can all do it, especially around the hairline. Early signs include broken hairs at the front, a receding hairline, soreness or little bumps on the scalp.

Caught early, it can usually recover. Keep styles loose, swap them around, give your hair regular breaks, and change your style straight away if it hurts. If you notice thinning, please speak to your GP or doctor soon, as ongoing pulling can make the loss permanent.

Arriving with clean, product free hair is a lovely help, though it does not need to be washed that morning. Heavy products, oil and dry shampoo can change how your hair falls.

If you have curly, wavy or coily hair, your stylist may cut it dry, so wash it a day or two before, let it dry naturally and skip ponytails and clips so your natural pattern shows. If you are having colour too, ask your stylist how they would like you to arrive, as they know your hair best. When in doubt, just ask the salon when you book.

Not at all, it is all about how and when. Brushing curly hair when it is dry can break up the curl pattern and cause frizz, so most curly clients detangle on wash day instead.

Apply conditioner or a leave in product for slip, work through knots with your fingers first, then use a wide tooth comb or a flexible detangling brush. Work in sections, starting at the ends and moving up to the roots. Between washes, dampen any tangled area with a little leave in before you detangle.

Around every 8 to 12 weeks is a good guide, with a small trim each time. Hair grows roughly 1.25 cm, or half an inch, a month, so a light trim keeps your ends healthy while you still gain length overall.

Skipping trims altogether can mean split ends travel up the strand, and then more has to come off in the end. Tell your stylist you are growing your hair, and they will take off only what is needed to keep it strong and looking its best.

There is no scientific evidence for it, but it is a lovely tradition and plenty of people enjoy timing their cuts by the moon. Your hair grows from the follicle under your scalp, and nothing about the date of your cut changes that.

So book whenever suits you. If a full moon appointment makes you feel good, enjoy it. Your hair will grow at its usual pace either way, and regular trims will help you keep the length you grow.

Yes, and most hair professionals take it as a compliment. A warm salon, gentle hands and a relaxing head massage at the basin make dozing off very easy. It usually means you feel safe and comfortable, which is exactly how your stylist wants you to feel.

Your stylist may gently ask you to lift or tilt your head now and then so they can keep the cut even, so do not worry if you get a little nudge. Enjoy the rest.

Absolutely. Plenty of clients prefer a quiet appointment, and many salons now offer one as a simple option when you book. Some people want to rest, read or just enjoy some calm, and that is completely fine.

You can mention it when you book or when you sit down, with something as simple as "I'd love a quiet one today, if that's OK." Your hairdresser will still check in about the cut itself. A good professional will be happy to give you exactly the experience you want.

Yes, completely. Finding the right hairdresser for you is personal, and you are free to try someone new at any time. You do not owe anyone a reason, and hair professionals understand that clients move around.

If you have only seen someone a few times, there is no need to explain. If they get in touch to rebook, a friendly "thank you, I'm trying somewhere else for now" is plenty. If you are switching within the same salon, a kind word to your previous stylist keeps everything easy.

Yes, it is very normal. Hair is tied up with how you see yourself, so a change can bring up big feelings, even when you love the result. A big chop or a new look can feel like a shift in identity, and tears are a very human response to that.

Give yourself a day or two to settle in, as a new style often feels more like you once you have washed and styled it yourself. If something does not feel right, your stylist will be glad to hear from you and help.

You can, and it helps to go slowly. Start with clean hair styled and dried the way you usually wear it, as fringes spring up shorter once dry. Use sharp hair scissors, hold the hair between your fingers, and snip tiny amounts with the scissors pointing upwards into the ends for a soft finish.

Many salons offer quick fringe trims between appointments, so it is worth asking yours. Either way, taking off a little at a time keeps everything easy to tidy at your next visit.