Ageing Beauty Issues – Thinning Hair

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ageing, blow dry, breakage, conditioner, cool, curling, dermalogica, Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo, Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse, greasy, hair, hair care, heat, heat styling, oily, scalp, shaft, shampoo, straigheners, straightening, styling, thin, thinning, tongs, volume, volumising, washing

Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-tank-top-with-braided-hair-167704/(Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license)

One issue that many of our clients report to us is the feeling that their hair is thinning as they get older. It’s a common issue among women over the age of 40 and had a couple of underlying reasons – hormone changes can cause hair loss, whilst the actual shaft of the hair also thins naturally with age, so even if you don’t get a huge amount of actual loss, the bulk of your hair will feel depleted as you get older. There’s not a lot that can be done to reverse the biological processes which cause these problems, but there are a few things that you can do to improve the appearance of thinning hair, and we’ve got a few of them for you:

Use Lightweight Products

Keeping thinning hair clean is an absolute must because thinning hair will look exponentially worse if it’s greasy, however using heavy, oil-based products will do nothing but weigh your hair down even further, making already thinning hair look heavy and lank. Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo is a product designed for daily use and contains zero sulphates, whilst Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse adds moisture to the hair without weighing it down, restoring softness and shine for vibrantly-healthy hair.

Use a Soft Brush

When the hair shaft starts to thin out, this will make it more prone to breakage, which could be a disaster for thinning hair. Opt for a brush with soft bristles which will glide through the hair rather than tugging at it and causing breakage.

Think About Your Style

Wearing thinning hair scraped back into a ponytail is only going to accentuate the thinning even more, especially if you can see your scalp through the hair. Wearing the hair loose and bouncy by blow drying it on a cool setting with a volumising product will help to create the illusion of volume and make your hair look thicker with little effort.

Get Your Vitamins

Hair loss and thinning can be a knock-on effect of vitamin deficiencies, usually vitamin D or vitamin B12. Many reports now suggest that “multivitamins” are of little use as our body simply excretes them before they have a chance to be absorbed, but taking individual vitamins, or getting them through your food, can still be beneficial. Liver is a good source of BOTH vitamin B12 and D, as are eggs and cheese.

Avoid Heat Styling

One of the biggest causes of damage to hair is heat styling, either with straighteners or curling irons, so avoiding using these when your hair is thinning is a good idea. Opt for straightening with a soft brush and cool blow dryer and curl with rags or soft curlers, depending on the diameter of the curl you want.

Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair

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arrots, avocado, beta-carotene, Blackcurrants, blueberries, Broccoli, capillaries, chicken, clean hair, dairy products, damp, diet, dry, eggs, fish, flaky, hair, hair loss, healthy, honey, kiwi, legumes, mackerel, mashed avocado, meal, nuts, oils, oily fish, oranges, pumpkin seeds, pumpkins, ramp up, salmon, sardines, shine, strawberries, strong, sweet potatoes, trout, turkey, Vitamin E, walnuts, whisked egg yolk, zinc

They say you are what you eat and that is so true when it comes to hair that is full of life and shine.

Last week we looked at tips and tricks to speed up hair growth and today it’s all about how diet can help you get the most luscious locks ever.

First things first. Your hair is made from protein and eating this is vital if vital if you want strong, healthy hair. Not eating enough protein could lead to hair that is dry, weak and lacking in shine. It is thought that eating very little protein can actually cause hair loss – something you do not want. Chicken, dairy products, eggs, fish and turkey are all fantastic sources of protein with legumes and nuts being perfect for vegetarians.

Iron is another must-have mineral for hair as too little can cause anemia which can lead to hair loss. Chicken, fish and red meat all provide iron that is readily available to the body. If you are looking for vegetarian sources then opt for leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach as well as broccoli, lentils and spinach.

Let’s face it, for health you can’t go far wrong with a decent dose of Vitamin C, and this is so the case when it comes to hair. Vitamin C is key to the production of collagen which strengthens the capillaries that supply the hair shafts. It helps the absorption of iron and is also an antioxidant that your body will lap up. Blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, kiwi, oranges, strawberries and sweet potatoes are all high in Vitamin C and taste pretty good so eat them with every meal.

Another hair friendly vitamin is A, which we need to create sebum. Sebum is an oily substance created by the sebaceous gland and acts as a natural conditioner for your scalp. Eating orange coloured veg such as carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes will help which are high in beta-carotene (which makes Vitamin A) will keep that sebum alive and prevent a dry, itchy scalp.

Omega-3 fatty acids can only obtained through our diet and are vital as they provide the oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated and supple. Oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout and mackerel are fantastic sources as are avocado, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.

It might be winter, but the sun can still damage your hair, so ramp up your Vitamin E intake to protect it. Nuts are a great source as they not only provide Vitamin E but also zinc, so be sure to add them into your diet mix.

A lack of zinc can lead to hair loss and also make your scalp dry and flaky. Fortified cereals and wholegrains are a good source of zinc along with beef, eggs and oysters, so add them to your next weekly shop.

As well as eating vitamins for healthy hair, you could also whip up a quick mask to give your locks an added boost. Once a week mash together one whisked egg yolk and mix this with half a mashed avocado and a large spoon of honey. Massage the mixture onto damp, clean hair and leave for half an hour before rinsing thoroughly and leaving to dry naturally.

Got a super food you swear by? Drop us a line and let us know.

Team Pure-Beauty

Healthy hair growth

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apply, boucne, bounce, celebrity, circulation, damaged, diet, dry, exercise, extensions, food, friend, GP, grow, growth, hair, hair cycle, hair-dryer, healthy diet, heat damage, mask, meditation, no gain, No pain, normal, oil, oil treatments, results, rinse, scalp, session, shine, sleep, split ends, straighteners, stress, trigger, trim

Ever had your hair chopped to get the latest celebrity style only to step out of the salon and wish you’d had a trim instead?

We have been there too and no how disappointing it can be.

The good news is, it’s only hair which is thought that hair grows about a centimetre a month.

Whilst there are no shortcuts to getting your luscious, long locks back, there are ways you can encourage hair growth and we have a few ideas to get you started.

Dry scalp massages can help stimulate the blood flow to your scalp, which helps nutrients get to your hair follicles quicker so your hair is stronger and longer in no time.

When you wash your hair, take time to massage your scalp with your fingertips, starting at the back of the neck and moving around the hairline. Relaxing and well as growth encouraging.

A decent shampoo will remove dirt and grime but it is your conditioner that replenishes the nutrients your hair needs to grow, so don’t skip this step.

A blast of cold-water can help seal the hair cuticles, and prevent moisture loss and heat damage. No pain, no gain.

Once a week it is a good idea to treat your hair to a deep conditioning session. There are many great hot oil treatments and deep conditioning masks out there that bring the life and bounce back into your hair and leave it looking sleek and shiny, whatever the length. For the best results apply the product to your hair and then rub your fingers on your scalp in a circular motion for three to five minutes. Rinse the oil or mask out of your hair and leave to dry naturally.

Do go to the hairdresser on a regular basis. We know you are trying to grow your hair but a trim keeps those pesky split ends at bay so growth can happen.

Deep down, you know heat damage isn’t good for your hair. Use your hair-dryer and straighteners less and when you do, apply a heat protectant product to locks from getting damaged and breaking off.

It might feel silly, but flip your head upside down if you want to promote faster hair growth. Sitting upside down for two to four minutes a day is believed to improve circulation and in turn hair growth. It’s got be worth a go and it’s way cheaper than extensions!

If it is longer hair you want, cut the stress out of your life. It is believed that stress can disrupt the normal hair cycle and can trigger hair falling-out. We know this is easy to say, but try to manage your stress using meditation, taking exercise and getting enough sleep. If you feel things are getting on top of you, talk to a trusted friend or your GP and get some extra support.

It goes without saying the a healthy diet will also keep hair growing and looking healthy, so next week we will look at what to eat and why.

Team Pure-Beauty

Five Hair Myths BUSTED

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brushing, clean, conditioner, cut, dermalogica, Dermalogica Shine Therapy Shampoo, Dermalogica Silk Finish Conditioner, follicles, hair, hydrate, protection, shampoo

Hair is one of those things about which everyone has an opinion, anecdote or nugget of advice, but as scientific knowledge advances, often these ‘old wives tales’ turn out to be nothing but baseless claims passed down through the grapevine. We take a look at five of these rumours which are, in fact, totally inaccurate to show you just how many untruths there are out there.

Cutting Hair Makes it Thicker

This myth is possibly the one which gets trotted out the most but it’s more or less impossible to affect the actual thickness of your hair because it’s dictated by the size of your hair follicles. If your hair is broken and wispy, cutting off the broken ends will make it look thicker, but it’s basically an optical illusion.

Dry Shampoo is Good for Your Hair

Dry shampoo is actually a really old fashioned product which has made a resurgence in recent years, but using it regularly is far from a good idea. In fact, there’s evidence to show that overuse of dry shampoo can actually damage the hair and scalp and even leave you with bald patches – AVOID!

You Can’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

This is one of those pieces of advice which is totally subjective. Sure, some people may feel that washing every day dries out their hair and scalp, but other people produce a LOT more sebum and would look like they’d stuck their head in a vat of oil if they didn’t wash every day. Our advice is to wash your hair as often as you feel necessary with Dermalogica Shine Therapy Shampoo, followed by Dermalogica Silk Finish Conditioner.

Brushing Hair Makes it Stronger

Do you remember being made to do 100 strokes of the hairbrush before bed when you were little? Yeah, you were pretty much wasting your time. Brushing regularly will help to distribute the natural oils from your scalp through the rest of your hair, which can help to protect and hydrate your hair, but brushing too often (or with the wrong brush) can actually weaken and damage hair in the long run.

You NEED To Cut Your Hair Every Six Weeks

Again, this is very subjective and probably something which has been made up by a hairdresser hoping to increase their business! Cut your hair every six to eight weeks if you feel you NEED to, but doing so is certainly not essential, nor will it help to actually improve the quality of your hair, only the current appearance of it.

Hairstyles to Keep You Looking and Feeling Cool While You Work Out

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braid, clean, cool, dermalogica, exercise, fishtail, gym, hair, plait, ponytail, sweaty, workout

Okay, so, as your Nan would say, going to the gym “isn’t a fashion show”, but there’s no harm in trying to make sure you don’t look a complete mess when you’re slogging it out. We take a look at five hairstyles which help you to keep look AND look good whilst working out in the gym or in the park.

Messy Bun

Okay, so the messy bun is pretty mush a staple of gym hair, but taking a little time to actually make it look like a hair-do and not an afterthought can take this to the next level. After washing with Dermalogica Shine Therapy Shampoo, spritz with a texturising or salt water spray and allow to dry before sweeping back. Once the hair is up, pull a few strands loose around your face for a framing effect.

Sweeping Braid

This is the perfect gym hair if you’re growing out a fringe or have your hair layered around your face as it starts on one side of your head and sweeps across the top to incorporate the front of your hair. It allows you to get all of the hair away from your face without the use of clips (which, lets face it, can be pretty uncomfortable during yoga or pilates) and looks really pretty on all face shapes.

Double-Tied Pony

This one is super simple but works on two levels – the double tie not only makes this looks better than your average ponytail, but it also secures the hair even further and keeps it all back in one tidy bunch. It’s especially handy if you’re doing an energetic class or running flat out as there’s nothing better at breaking your concentration than being whacked in the face with your own ponytail!

Fishtail

A fishtail is essentially a French plait but done with four strands in stead of three (there are some great tutorials on YouTube if you don’t know how to do one) and it looks a lot more grown up than your average plait. It’s a style that you can wear from gym straight to the office or bar and looks super pretty on basically everyone.

Reverse French Plait

This is one of those looks which actually looks a lot more complicated than it is, and basically just involves doing a french plait with your head upside down! Obviously, if you have a friend or relative who’s on hand to help then all the better, but it’s totally achievable on your own and really looks like a very cool alternative to a regular plait.

P.S. – don’t forget your body wash and deodorant for afterwards!