Hair Damage

What caused your hair to look thin? Discoloured or aged? Factors such as styling appliances and vigorous brushing, as well as sun damage, colouring and hormonal imbalances will all contribute to ageing your hair. We've found the best way to manage bad hair so you'll only end up with healthy, luscious hair every day.



Styling tools

Problem: Too much blow-drying or straightening can leave hair dry, thin and brittle. Unprotected heat styling draws out moisture from the hair cells making it age
a lot quicker than normal.

Solution: Always apply a thermal styling aid before using any heat appliances, and never use an iron or curling tongs on wet hair. To give your hair a break, let it dry naturally from time to time.

Colouring and highlights

Problem: Colouring, highlighting and bleaching hair too much can dry it out and cause breakage. Stick to the same hair colourist and never put colour over colour.

Solution: To stop hair from discolouring, use a maintaining shampoo and conditioner to keep your natural colour vibrant and to help artificial colour from fading. For best results, apply a protecting treatment once a week.

Hormones

Problem: Hormones not only affect our skin but they affect our hair as well. Whether you're going through puberty, a menstrual cycle, on a contraceptive pill or have started menopause - locks will become oily as your hormones produce excess sebum.

Solution: There is really nothing you can do that will stop your hormones from ageing your hair, but by colouring hair, you can dry it out so that it's not always looking oily and limp.

Pollution

Problem: The fumes of environmental pollution and smoke can leave your hair dull and smelly.

Solution: Like your hormones, there's very little you can do to prevent pollution from damaging your hair. You can wash it daily with a detoxifying shampoo and conditioner, which is especially good if you're a smoker. Also apply a treatment that's packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Stress

Problem: Stress ages your locks, causing it to grey and, in extreme cases, fall out.

Solution: To reduce stress from affecting your hair, gently massage conditioner into your scalp and apply a scalp mask once a week to increase the blood circulation, which will help to reduce hair loss.

Poor diet

Problem: If you're not eating a healthy balanced diet, high in protein or iron-rich foods, your hair will eventually become thin, which can cause premature hair loss.

Solution: Eat a well-balanced diet, and if your iron levels are low, take a good multivitamin supplement. Also, use thickening shampoos and conditioners every day, which should help to combat thinning. Use styling products that add more volume to your hair.

Sun and swimming

Problem: Salt water and chlorine will dry your hair out, causing it to break, and it can also discolour hair, especially if it's bleached.

Solution: When out in the sun, slather on a sun-protecting mask to your hair that locks in the moisture. Wear a sun hat at all times and invest in a swimming cap for diving in to the ocean.

Split ends

Problem: Most people think that having long hair means you never have to cut it. But regular trims will help to prevent your hair from splitting at the ends.

Solution: Visit your hairdresser every six to eight weeks to cut off dead ends that may be splitting. While you're at the hairdresser's, ask for a heavy-duty salon treatment to revitalise your locks.

Pregnancy

Problem: While most women find their hair is thick and healthy during pregnancy, the opposite can happen after giving birth, especially while breastfeeding. Many of the nutrients go to the baby leaving mum with weak hair.

Solution: Make sure you continue to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet high in protein, and check with your doctor if you can take any multivitamin supplements while you're breastfeeding.