
How To Achieve Beautiful Hair In 3 Steps
As Fleabag so memorably put it in one of the most iconic scenes in recent TV history: ‘Hair is everything’. There’s no denying that our crowning glory can play a pretty major role in the way we feel about ourselves.
It’s also true that hair thinning and loss are a completely normal part of life, which can sometimes be triggered by stress and hormonal changes.
‘Hair shedding is totally natural and, most of the time, it will be a part of your normal hair growth pattern,’ says celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed. ‘Seeing hair in the shower plug isn’t usually anything to worry about, but if you start to notice that your hair is sparser as it grows back or if there is continuously hair left on your brush, it may be a sign that you are suffering from hair thinning or loss.’
Thankfully, Reed and Dr Sara Kayat, NHS GP and resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning, are on hand to provide us with their tried-and-tested hair-growth advice. These three simple tips will help improve your hair health from the inside out.
1. Nail Your Haircare Routine
As a legendary London hairstylist with three decades of experience under his belt, it’s safe to say that when Reed gives you hair advice, you take it. His golden rule for nailing your haircare routine? ‘Do not over-shampoo or -condition your hair. It might sound counterintuitive, but the less you wash your hair, the better off it’ll be – this is because over-washing can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it drier and more prone to breakage. Instead, he recommends washing every two to three days, even stretching to four with the aid of dry shampoo. He also insists that you should not overuse conditioner, saying that ‘a small amount from the root to the tip’ is enough.
Other tips for promoting hair health? Gently towel dry both the scalp and hair using a cotton towel, and squeeze and pat the hair rather than rubbing it. A weekly hair mask can ‘really boost the condition of the hair,’ says Reed – just make sure you warm any products you use with your fingers and ensure they’re applied evenly.
2. Introduce Supplements Into Your Routine
When it comes to promoting hair health, Reed says ‘prevention is key’, noting that supplements are ‘one of the best ways’ to encourage healthy hair growth.
Dr Kayat agrees and says diet and lifestyle factors can play an important role in promoting hair growth and overall health.
‘In an ideal world, we would get all nutrients from our diet, but when that’s not possible, supplementation can be helpful in ensuring that your hair health is optimised,’
3. Go Easy On The Heated Tools
One of the major causes of hair thinning and loss among women is the mistreatment of hair through over-styling and dye damage. Dr Kayat lists ‘avoiding harsh styling and chemicals’ as one of her top tips for promoting hair growth, a sentiment strongly echoed by Reed. ‘When using a heated appliance, keep the heat to 185 degrees for optimum styling to prevent excess damage,’ he says.
As for the potential damage that comes with ongoing dye treatments – particularly those using harsh chemicals such as peroxide – it’s imperative you go to a trained professional for treatments, according to Reed. ‘The risks of doing it yourself are really not worth it – for both the health of your hair and your scalp.’
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Credit: 3 Expert Ways To Get Healthy-Looking Hair (elle.com)