General hair advice is widely available, yet much of it overlooks individual variation. Hair and scalp behaviour are shaped by genetics, age, hormonal influences, health history, cultural practices, stress exposure, and lifestyle factors. When advice is presented as universally applicable, it risks oversimplifying complex biological systems. This complexity is one reason hair science evidence can feel contradictory, which we explain in more detail here.
What works well for one person may be ineffective or unsuitable for another. Hair density, curl pattern, growth rate, scalp sensitivity, and response to change vary significantly between individuals. Even people with similar hair textures can experience very different outcomes under the same conditions.
One-size-fits-all advice also tends to blur important distinctions. Hair shedding and hair thinning are frequently treated as the same experience, despite representing different observations. Life stage is another factor often ignored; hair behaviour in early adulthood may differ markedly from that later in life.
Oversimplified advice can unintentionally create confusion or self-blame when expected results do not occur. When outcomes differ from promises, people may assume they have done something wrong rather than recognising natural variation.
Reliable education acknowledges complexity. Instead of offering guaranteed solutions, it explains why responses differ and why outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty. This approach may feel less reassuring initially, but it is more accurate and ultimately more supportive.
Understanding variability allows for more meaningful conversations. It shifts the focus from chasing universal answers to exploring individual context, timelines, and influencing factors. A consultation focused on education rather than prediction can help organise this information, as explained in this article.
Recognising that hair advice is not interchangeable is not discouraging. It reflects biological reality and supports more informed, realistic expectations.
Gentle disclaimer:
Educational information should be considered alongside individual circumstances.
Suggested Reading
For further context around individual variation and interpretation, see:
• How Evidence Works in Hair Science - and Why It Can Be Confusing
• What a Hair or Scalp Consultation Can - and Cannot - Tell You