London: Healthier hair is often a lifestyle choice. If you are generally fit, a non smoker (do I really need to say that?), have a good balanced diet, etc. you are not going to get better hair than that coming out of your scalp. How quickly this hair dries out and disintegrates is very much down to you.
Better habits across a range of hair care areas will make a massive difference in slowing the aging process when all put together. You can have your hair dry out and split after 5 of growth, or 7, 8, 9, 10 ..its your choice, and you dont have to live like a nun. Here are a few tips to get started on.
1. Throw away your dryer nozzle
Unless you have thick wavy hair that you need to dry dead straight, your nozzle unnecessarily concentrates heat and can lead to excessive damage. Keep a one inch gap between your hair and the end of the dryer.
2. Always use conditioner
Shampoos open the cuticle to clean, conditioners
reseal the surface cuticle for protection, shine, and comb-ability.
3. Use a professional saw-cut comb
Moulded plastic combs often have imperfections on the teeth that can lacerate the surface cuticle, ageing the hair prematurely. 3more inches professional combs (my own brand) are saw-cut from one piece then hand polished by artisans in Germany.
4. Use a deep treatment at least once a week.
3more inches Pre-Wash Treatment System with its unique cashmere protein complex, is the quickest and the best for restoring suppleness, reducing breakage, and maintaining the vibrancy of colours. Just 60 seconds of your time to apply it.
5. Trim ends regularly
Every 3-8 weeks depending on length and style. As the ends decay and disintegrate they look tired and unattractive; also any splitting can travel up the hair shaft if not caught in time.
6. Do not use a brush to take out knots on wet hair
When hair is wet use a wide tooth comb to gently ease out knots from the ends first, working up to the roots. Dont believe the myth of brushing hair 100 times before bedtime. Once its brushed, further friction just wears it out quicker.
7. Always protect your hair in the sun
Hats or scarves are best, protective treatments come second. The uv rays of the sun break down the molecular structure of hair, which unlike skin doesnt recover its appearance within a few weeks. Long hair can take years to renew.
8. Colour your hair professionally
Choose a colourist that cares about condition and quality, and is up to date. Modern tints are much gentler on the hair.
9. Choose a good stylist
The right haircut well executed can save you 95% of the time you may be spending over styling your hair.
10. Use a little light wax or moisturizing cream on dry ends.
This will protect and keep the hair looking and feeling healthier. Try 3more inches Thicken & Shine Finishing Feed.
Many women think it is socially unacceptable to have long hair past 40. Like many social observations this one is out of date. It was always about condition not length. In the old days before good conditioners, great colouring, skilful cutting and styling, etc. long dry stringy white hair just made a woman look haggard. But today we have the skill and technology – 60 really is the new 40!
Michael Van Clarke’s new range of conditioning products – 3 More Inches – is available online at www.3moreinches.com and also at his salon at 1 Beaumont Street, London W1G 6DF. T: + 44 (0)20 7224 3123 Email salon@vanclarke.com.
Website: www.vanclarke.com