Frazzled ends? Frizz? We’ve got some really useful tips to help you avoid ever having a bad hair day again!
Colour damage?
Highlights are a brilliant way to lighten up your hair without colouring it all over, but, as you’ll know if you’re a regular to highlights, when you get your roots done, those foils can be layered again and again over old colour, which can leave your hair dry and prone to breakage.
And if you go for an all-over colour, Sam Burnett, owner of Hare & Bone salons, says that some dyes, especially if high in ammonia and used incorrectly, can damage the hair. “Lightener or bleach, if applied in the wrong way, can break the bonds in the hair shaft,” he warns.
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Sometimes if your hair is very damaged, the only solution is to cut it off. But the latest hair healers can fix the bonds in your hair by working from the inside out to repair damage, strengthen each strand of your hair and reduce breakage.
Olaplex is the gold standard in the salon but now you can get similar products to use at home. New on the market, the Label M M-plex range (from R650, haircair.co.za) intensively repairs and protects the hair, leaving it significantly stronger.
Or try Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner (R415, Dis-Chem), which works hard to reinforce weakened bonds and improve hair strength.
ALSO SEE: How to care for curly hair
Grey gone wiry?
“Grey hair can have a different texture to non-grey hair,” says Sam. “This is because the hair loses colour pigments as we age, but also your scalp stops producing as much natural oil, so your strands can start to feel drier and coarse.”
Always use hydrating and smoothing products such as Kevin. Murphy COOL.ANGEL Colour Enhancing Shine Treatment (R650, retailbox.co.za) – not only do they neutralise brassy pigments in grey hair, but also work to smooth and hydrate wiry grey strands.
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Sam recommends keratin treatments in the salon for a long-lasting, smoothing effect or try Hair Botox, which works in a similar way to keratin treatments without the formaldehyde and the lengthy application. It is essentially a deep- conditioning treatment ideal for turning frizzy, wiry hair back to smooth and glossy. Prices from R490 depending on hair length – enquire with your regular stylist.
Suffering from hair loss?
Just like your skin changes as you get older, your hair does as well. “Women from ages 55–60 onwards will almost always notice their hair is less full and thick than it was in their 20s or 30s. It is a natural part of the ageing process,” reassures consultant trichologist Anabel Kingsley.
But that does not mean you can’t take action to make the best of your hair and get it looking as good as it can. “As the scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your forehead, it should be cared for with the same attention devoted to facial skin,” advises Anabel. “A healthy scalp is vital to hair growth.”
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Forget that old wives’ tale that the less you wash your hair, the healthier it will be. A healthy scalp is a clean scalp. So don’t be afraid to shampoo frequently, at least every other day, if possible, to help boost the overall cleanliness and health of your hair and scalp. “This prevents yeasts and bacteria from building up on the scalp, and stops redness, flaking or irritation,” adds Anabel.
Try Roots Double Effect Sensitive Care Shampoo (R200, Clicks), which promotes fuller-looking hair and roots, due to its volumising effects on fine, fragile hair.
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Feature Image: Unsplash
