Hairdressers

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No matter what our hair type, colour or length, we all long for luscious, healthy locks, so here are some of our tops tips for looking after your hair and keeping it in the best condition possible.

1. Don’t over-wash your hair
Washing your hair too often can strip oils from your hair and cause a dry, flaky scalp. As your scalp dries out so will your hair, leaving it much more prone to damage and also to inflammation of your scalp. We recommend washing your hair twice a week.

2. Avoid heat where possible
Using products such as straighteners, curlers and hairdryers to style your hair is a major culprit for hair becoming dry and damaged as this can dry out the scalp and even burn your hair if too hot. When possible, try leaving your hair to air dry or look for methods and tutorials for heatless styling. If you are using heat, however, be sure to use a good quality heat protectant product to avoid as much damage as possible.

3. Deep condition often
Dark or light, thick or thin, curly or straight… all hair types will benefit from regular deep conditioning and masks in order to repair any damage, moisturise and tame.

4. Wash hair with lukewarm water
Very hot water can strip your hair of essential oils which dries out both your hair and your scalp. This can then result in more brittle hair that will be prone to breakage and will likely be frizzier. Try washing your hair in lukewarm water instead and then if you can manage it, rinse at the end with cold water. Rinsing hair in cool or cold water will seal in moisture leaving your hair and scalp hydrated.

5. Trim split ends
No matter how much you try and care for your hair to prevent split ends, unfortunately they are sometimes inevitable. If split ends occur, this means that bit of hair is already dead so trying to ‘fix’ them will not work. We recommend trimming the ends of your hair approximately every 6 to 8 weeks in order to remove split ends and give the appearance of thicker, healthier hair.

6. Don’t rub wet hair with a towel
Most of us will naturally reach for a towel once we’ve washed our hair and rub out as much water as we can. This can lead to excessive hair breakage and can cause hair to be excessively frizzy due to the towel ruffling up the hair cuticles. Instead, try using a t-shirt or microfibre towel to gently squeeze excess water from your hair.

7. Give tight hair styles a break
Ponytails and buns are great for keeping hair out of your face or as a way to style your hair so it lasts a day or two longer before needing washing, however consistent pulling of your hair can put strain on it, causing it to pull away from the roots and result in splitting, follicle damage and weaker hair. Wearing tight hairstyles for long periods of time can also result in some areas of hair loss. Try occasionally wearing looser hair styles or using softer hair accessories that won’t pull or put too much pressure on the hair.

8. Brush carefully!
Brushing is necessary to avoid a matted mess, however when you do brush take care, brushing from the bottom of your hair and working up. Aggressive brushing of knotted hair will cause damage, breakage and split ends. Take extra care when brushing wet hair as this is when it is most prone to damage as it is weaker and more fragile. Use a wide tooth comb or tangle teaser and be particularly gentle.

9. Limit the bleach
Bleach raises your hair’s outer cuticle in order to allow the bleaching agent to fully penetrate. This allows rapid and continuous loss of moisture from your hair leaving it dry, brittle, frizzy and prone to breakage. We’re not saying never lighten your hair, (we’ve all been there!) just be careful when you do. Try to go to a high-quality colourist who knows how to use the right products to protect your hair and don’t bleach too often as the more you bleach your hair, the more damaged it will become!

10. Use a good serum / oil
Try investing in a hair serum or oil which can help to nourish and strengthen hair, prevent damage and leave hair shinier and healthier. Bleached hair is also more porous and so vulnerable to other external factors such as heat styling and the effects of the sun.

11. Eat healthily
Just like with skin, your hair is an outward sign of your inside health and the cells that make up your hair require a regular supply of nutrients. As hair is made up of protein, ensuring you are consuming enough of it is important for strong, healthy hair. Without sufficient protein your hair may become dry, brittle and weak and in some cases even cause hair loss. Iron is also an important mineral for hair as the hair follicle and root are fed by a nutrient rich blood supply. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for healthy hair and as our bodies cannot make this themselves, we must ensure we are consuming enough.

Try filling your diet with foods such as chicken, eggs, fish, nuts, wholegrains and lots of fruit and vegetables to keep your hair healthy from the inside.
We also recommend ensuring you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day in order to support hair growth, prevent split ends and foster a healthy scalp.

For more information about the services that Salon One offer, to book an appointment or to book a personal consultation with Sharnie, please visit saloneone.com, call +44 (0)1695 227310 or email info@salononeormskirk.