FAQs

Is there anything I can change in my diet that will help my hair to be healthier?
Yes there are many things in your diet or lifestyle that will affect the condition of your hair. Here are a few things you should do to promote healthy hair:
 

	Cut down on tea and coffee – they are powerful stimulants that act on the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, increasing the excretion of water and important nutrients. They also hamper the absorption of minerals crucial for hair health. Drink mineral water, herbal teas and unsweetened fruit juice.
	Alcohol dilated blood vessels and so helps to increase blood flow to the tissues. However, it is antagonistic to several minerals and vitamins that are vital for healthy hair. Limit your intake of alcohol and certainly don’t ‘binge drink’.
	Regular exercise stimulates the circulatory system, encouraging a healthy blood supply to all cells that help to regenerate, nourish and repair the hair.
	Some contraceptive pills deplete the vitamin B-complex and zinc. If you notice a change in your hair after starting to take the Pill, or changing brands, ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice.

My scalp is itchy and flaky, do I have dandruff and what should I do to get rid of it and prevent getting it in the future?

There is a common misconception that dandruff is the result of having a dry flaky scalp. Dandruff should not be confused with a dry flaky scalp, as it actually consists of scaly particles with an oily sheen that lies close to the hair root.

The cause of dandruff is poor diet, slow metabolism, stress, a hormone imbalance and sometimes infection. These conditions produce increased cell renewal on the scalp which is often associated with an increase in sebum. The scales will absorb the excess oil, but the problem would become worse, if left untreated.

The way to solve the problem of dandruff is to initially rethink your diet and lifestyle. Learn relaxation techniques to reduce stress. You should use a shampoo that has anti-dandruff actives that gently loosen scales and helps to prevent new ones. After shampooing use a treatment lotion, massaged into the scalp using your fingertips. Dandruff treatments must be used regularly to be effective. You should also avoid excessively using heat stylers.

Flaky or itchy scalp
The cause of an itchy or flaky scalp can be caused my many things including stress, insufficient rinsing of shampoos, vitamin imbalance, pollution, air conditioning and central heating, or it may even be hereditary. You should use a mild moisturising shampoo and conditioner that will soothe your scalp.

If systems persist you should consult your doctor or a tricologists.


What are split ends and how can I prevent them?
Split ends occur when the cuticle is damaged and the fibres of the cortex is damaged and the fibres of the cortex unravel. The hair is dry, brittle and prone to tangling, and can split a the end, or anywhere along the shaft.

Split ends are caused by over-colouring, insufficient conditioning or too much brushing, especially with poor quality brushes. Excessive heat styling and not having regular trims can also add to the problem.

Unfortunately there is no way to mend split ends; the only long term cure is to have them snipped off. What is lost in length will be gained in quality. It may help if you reduce the frequency with which you shampoo, as this itself is stressful to hair and causes split ends to extend up the hair shaft.

Never rub your hair dry or brush hair aggressively when it is wet. Use a wide tooth comb on wet hair, and wait for hair to dry a little naturally before using a hairdryer. Never use a dryer too near to the hair, or set it on too high a temperature. Minimise the use of heated appliances, such as straighteners. Use products such as conditioners and serums to temporarily seal split ends and give resistance to further splitting.

There are so many conditioners on a hair display and I am confused about which type to use, please help!

There are many types of conditioners on the market, all of which should be applied to shampooed hair that had been blotted dry with a towel to remove excess moisture. The following list describes the conditioners that are most widely available:
 

	Basic conditioners coat the hair with a fine film, temporarily smoothing down the cuticle and making hair glossier and easier to manage. These should be left on for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
	Colour conditioners are designed especially for the needs of chemically treated hair, which requires more moisturising properties to replace what the chemicals will have removed. Colour conditioners should help to prevent colour fade.
	Leave-in conditioners are designed to help retain moisture, reduce static and add shine. They are especially good for fine hair as they are light and will not overload the hair. Convenient and easy to use, they also provide a protective barrier against the effects of heat styling. Apply after shampooing but don’t rinse off.
	Intensive conditioners help hair to retain its natural moisture balance, replenishing it where necessary. Use this type if the hair is split, dry, frizzy, or difficult to manage. These should be left on for two to ten minutes depending on the level of damage of you hair. They should always be rinsed away thoroughly.
	Conditioning Sprays are used prior to styling and form a protective barrier against the harmful effects of heat. They are also good for reducing static electricity on flyway hair.

I normally have my hair cut by a friend that comes to my home, she know what I like and also cuts my hair well. She has moved away now and I am unsure of which salon to choose and what to ask for, please help.

The best way to choose a salon is by personal recommendation. I f a friend has had a good haircut ask them for the name of their hairdresser. If this is not possible you will have to do some research.

See if there are any salons in your area that have a good reputation. Remember the salon should be clean and welcoming with a style and ambience that appeals to you, and sales material that us new and fresh. The stylist should reflect an image that you like.

Once you have chosen a salon, make an appointment for a consultation. All good salons will give you a consultation for free. When having a consultation be honest with the stylist, discuss your hair’s idiosyncrasies and what you like and dislike about it. Explain how you are going to manage your hair between visits, how long you spend on your hair each morning. Listen to what the stylist suggests, but don’t feel pressured into having something done that you don’t feel comfortable with. Good hairdressers will alter fashion trends into a style that is right for you.

If you are pleased with the cut, it is best to return to the same stylist , as they will build a relationship with you and your hair. As a rule, you will need to have your hair cut every six to eight weeks to ensure it is healthy.

I colour my hair and I am bored with the current colour, how should I choose a new colour?

If you normally have your hair coloured in a salon, it is recommended that you speak to your colourist. They will be able to advise you what you can do to you hair technically and also advise you of shades that will suit you.

If you are home colouring it is best to try a temporary colour first; If you like the result you can choose a semi-permanent or permanent colour next time. If you want to change your colour drastically you should seek the advice of a professional colourist.

Wherever you are having your colour done, these two points are important. First, only have a colour change if your hair is in good condition; dry, porous hair absorbs colour too rapidly and can lead to a patchy result. Second, remember your skin tone, you may feel fantastic as a platinum blonde or brunette when you have a good tan, but when your skin is pale it may not suit you as much. You should also consider that your make-u0p may need to change to suit your new hair colour.

I want to colour my hair but I am going on holiday, is it best to colour my hair before or after my holiday?

If you would prefer to have your hair coloured for your holiday try to have it done at least a week before you leave. This will give you time to intensively condition your hair, to prepare it for the temperature change, also it will allow the colour to soften. Remember to take products that will protect your hair from damaging environments, whether you need added heat protection on a sunny holiday or, added protection from harsh cold elements that you would have on a skiing holiday.

I use a brush that I love, how I should look after it, so that it lasts me for a long time?

To ensure that your brush has a long life made sure you clean it regularly, by removing dead hairs and them washing them it in warm, soapy water, then rinsing it thoroughly. Natural bristle brushes should be placed bristle-side down and left to dry naturally. If you use a brush with a rubber cushion base, block the air hole with a matchstick before washing.

Replace brushes and combs that have damaged bristles or broken teeth; the sharp edges can damage your scalp.
Keep your brushes and combs to yourself and never lend them to other people.

I have just found out that I am expecting my first baby, I know my hair will change, what can I expect?

Most women find that during their pregnancy their hair looks often looks its best. However after the birth or after you finish breast feeding; about 50% of new mothers experience what appears to be excessive hair loss.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormones keep the hair at the growing stage for longer than usual, so it appears thicker and fuller. Some time after the birth – usually about 12 weeks later – this hair enters the resting stage, at the end of which all the hair that has been in the resting phase is shed. What appears to be excessive hair loss is simply a postponement of a natural occurrence, a condition that is known as post-partum alopecia.

A more significant problem that may occur during pregnancy is caused by a depletion in the protein content of the hair. As a result of this hair becomes drier and more brittle. Combat this by frequent use of an intensive conditioning treatment.

I have heard some people say you can, and some say you shouldn’t have your hair coloured during pregnancy, what is true?

There is no reason that you should not colour your hair during pregnancy, however if you have any concerns you should speak to your doctor.

I have read that babies may get ‘cradle cap’, what is it and should I be concerned?

Cradle cap, which appears as thick, yellow scales in patches over the scalp, causes many mothers concern. Cradle cap is the result of a natural build-up of skin cells. It is nothing to worry about and it can be gently loosened by rubbing a little baby oil on to the scalp at night and washing it off in the morning. This may need to be repeated for several days until the loose scales have been lifted an washed away.

My baby has got blond wispy hair, but both her father and me have dark hair, how why does this happen?

A baby’s hair characteristics are determined from the very moment of conception. By the 16th week of pregnancy the fetus will be covered with lanugo, a downy body hair that is usually shed before birth. The first hair appears on the head at around 20 weeks of pregnancy and it is at this time that the pigment melanin, is produced,. It is this melanin that will determine the colour of the hair.

A few weeks after birth baby’s hair will begin to fall out or is rubbed off. The new hair is quite different from the initial downy mass, so a baby born with blonde wispy curls might have dark, straight hair by the age of six months.

Do I need to cut my six month olds hair?
Mothers often carefully trim their baby’s hair as and when necessary and it is not until about two years of age that a visit to a salon may be necessary. Children’s hair is normally in beautiful condition and is best cut and styled simply.

I am going through the menopause and am going to start HRT soon, how will this affect my hair?

Medical opinion differs concerning the effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on the hair but it is generally accepted that in most cases it can be beneficial. However tricologists advise that if women have had permanent hair thinning prior to taking HRT the problem may be compounded. It is best to discuss this with your family doctor.

I am under no illusions that I am growing older, although I am doing my best to slow the process, I am noticing a lot of changes with my hair, what normally happens as hair gets older?

With ageing the whole body slows down, including the hair follicles, which become less efficient and produce hairs that are finer in diameter and shorter in length. Such shrinkage is gradual and the hair begins to feel slightly thinner, with less volume and density. At the same time the sebaceous glands start to produce less sebum and the hair begins to lose its colour as the production of melanin decreases.

I am worried that my hair will go grey, my mother went grey in her 40’s, why does this happen?

Over time the production of melanin decreases, this is what produces the colour in your hair. Blonde hair fades, brunettes lose their lose highlights and redheads tone down to brownish shades.

It is when the melanin stops being produced all together that hair grows white, and not grey as commonly perceived. The production of melanin is governed by genetic factors, and the best indication of when an individual’s hair will become white is the age at which their parents’ hair lost its colour. Pigment is what give the hair its colour and it also helps to soften and make each strand more flexible, this is white hair becomes wirier and coarser.

I usually love my grey hair but at present it looks yellow and dirty. What can I do?
White/grey hair can look dirty or discoloured as the texture of hair changes and the hair is inclined to pick up dust and smoke from the atmosphere. The best way to counteract this is to use a specialist shampoo and conditioner that remove unwanted yellow tones from snowy hair. These are normally blue and whilst look rather alarming the result is very effective as they tone the hair and add a silvery sheen.

Help! My hair has turned from thick and lovely hair to coarse and wiry hair, why would this happen and is there anything I can do about it, I am in my 40's?
Grey hair tends to be coarse and wiry so you need a moisturising shampoo and conditioner that softens and nourishes the hair. There are products on the market that have been designed especially for the complex needs and demands of mature hair. Keep the conditioner away from the root area because, when the hair is white, the scalp tends to be oilier. After styling use the Cream Serum to tame and condition dry, coarse hair by giving it separation and shine, whilst softening the hair and banishing tendency to fly.