Untangling the truth on tresses.
Untangling the truth on tresses.
Get it right and healthy, shiny hair is ‘your thing’. But bad hair days happen to everyone. So are all those myths about hair thickness, colour, loss and overall health true or false? Who better to ask than Lisa Caddy, consultant trichologist and education manager at Philip Kingsley, and in-house trichologist and artistic director at the Mandarin Salon, Andrea Clark.
MYTH: Brushing your hair regularly makes it healthier – Busted!
LC: Frequent or aggressive brushing can result in hair breakage, so only brush to tidy or style.
MYTH: Cutting your hair makes it grow faster or thicker – Busted!
LC: Unfortunately no, as hair is dead, except for the cells deep in the follicle. However, if you have damaged and split ends, cutting helps the hair look thicker and healthier.
MYTH: You have to shampoo daily – True!
LC: But manage it carefully and you can safely miss a day. A clean, healthy, flake-free scalp will grow a better head of hair. Frequent shampooing using premium products, a regular hair mask, scalp toner, heat protectors and products containing UV sunscreens can all contribute to better hair.
If you can’t shampoo daily, then shampoo twice and ensure your conditioner is only applied to the mid-lengths and ends, not roots. Use a scalp toner after shampooing to close pores and reduce oil production. Dry shampoos can be useful in emergencies to absorb excess oil and make hair look fresher.
MYTH: You can make fine hair thicker or fuller – True!
LC: A premium volumising shampoo and conditioner will contain strengthening proteins, adding to fullness and volume. A good mousse will add volume, hold and structure. Gels tend to be less volumising and take care with sea salt sprays. Salt is a natural dehydrator that can parch the hair causing brittleness and breaking. Fine long hair gets tangled easily and can be prone to breakage, so use a good detangling spray that conditions too.
MYTH: Once you’ve got dandruff, you’ve always got dandruff – Busted!
LC: Typical dandruff is not a sign of a dry scalp, but an oily one. This can be due to stress, hormonal or dietary changes. Good scalp health and shampooing daily is key to clearing a flaky and itchy scalp. Using an antimicrobial shampoo will reduce bacteria and inflammation.
MYTH: You can’t slow, stop or reverse the onset of grey hair – Debatable.
LC: The onset of grey hair is due to the ageing process and largely genetically determined. It is thought that being copper- or B12-deficient can nudge greying along, so ensure you eat a balanced, healthy diet. There is lack of evidence that stress induces grey hair, although it may burn up additional particular vitamins and minerals.
MYTH: Regular colouring is bad for your hair – True!
AC: Regular highlights or colouring need regular TLC. Chemical dyes can be harmful to your hair if used incorrectly. Overlapping or frequent colouring can weaken and damage the hair shaft causing breakage, loss of shine and elasticity. Using a regular hair treatment such as Elasticizer will help combat the effects of dryness and brittleness. Ammonia-free colours are popular for those with sensitive skin but still contain chemicals. There have been a lot of improvements in colourants over the decades in the choice of shades, formulations and ingredients that comply with safety regulations. Embrace natural or grey if concerned.
MYTH: Hair loss is seasonal – True!
LC: There seems to be a seasonal impact on the hair for many. Spring and autumn are the times some feel they shed more hair than usual.
MYTH: You can eat your way to healthier -looking hair – True!
AC: Hair is made of protein, so a proteinrich diet is crucial to optimise strength, quality and resilience. A diet which includes all the food groups, enough calories, vitamins and minerals can guard against the nutritional deficiencies which can be responsible for excessive shedding. Research has shown taking vitamin B12 supplements, B5 (carrot juice is a good source of B5) and B6 can help.
BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN ON THE BEACH/THINKSTOCK
