Bad hair day problems:
Colour fading fast
Given the cost of a salon colour these days, you want to preserve its vibrancy for as long as you can. Some shades fade fast – reds for instance. Blondes can get brassy and dull. Brunettes can start looking washed out and brittle.
Washing your hair strips out the colour as does bright sun, harsh products, heated hair appliances and the chlorine in swimming pools and shower water.
Flat and fine
Volume is flattering as it looks softer around the face, especially as we get older. But if you have very fine or sparse hair then it can be a challenge. Go for a cut that doesn’t need height on top – such as a bob shape – and be careful not to use rich products that will weigh hair down.
A good tip is to only apply conditioner from the mid lengths down and rinse out really thoroughly. Also, if you use heated rollers, allow to cool completely before removing.
Thick and dry
Dry hair doesn’t look shiny, breaks easily and tends to get even drier as we heat style, age, colour etc. Try to shampoo less often, avoid products with a high alcohol content and never spray perfume on your hair.
What you want is to infuse your hair with moisture, just as you would your skin. This hair type often looks better with a little length to help pull it down; bobs, shorter cuts and too many layers can look bouffy or “mushroomy” (if you have this type of hair you’ll know exactly what I mean!).
Frizzy and flyaway
The “frizzies” has to be one of the most common issues. Always make sure your hair is completely dry when you finish styling – if it’s the tiniest bit damp, it’ll start to frizz. And do everything you can to smooth the cuticle – invest in an ionic hair-dryer, always direct the hot air away from the scalp and down the hair shaft and style using a brush with natural boar bristles. If you have curly hair, carry a tube of hair moisturiser/conditioner to help define curls and reduce frizz on the go.
Thinning
Excess hair loss can have a number of underlying causes including ill health, hormonal imbalances and too much stress. If your hair is showing bald patches or obviously thinning, then it’s wise to make an appointment with a trichologist and pinpoint what’s causing the problem.
Be sure to look after the health of your scalp by using gentle products, avoiding hair extensions and braiding, which can cause breakage, and not burning it with heat stylers. The diameter of each strand of hair decreases as we get older so it’s normal for it to seem a bit thinner.
Very damaged
If your hair is split, then book in for a trim – a serum may help seal the ends temporarily but as soon as you wash it out they’ll look ragged again. To prevent further damage, take care when you’re heat styling.
Use a protective product, make sure hair is 80% dry before straightening with irons and try to iron each section only once rather than going over and over. Deep conditioning is your friend.
Do it once a week at least and always towel-dry hair first, then really work in the mask and leave in for at least 15 minutes.
