Prescriptive solutions for problem hair types
Published
24th Apr 2012
by rachael
There are plenty of measures you can take to combat common hair and scalp problems, as trichologist Glenn Lyons explains...
Split ends
Cause
"Split ends are caused by damaged hair and/or treating the hair traumatically with hard brushing, overly-hot blow drying, tight rollers, over-colouring or perming, using swimming pools and environmental factors."
Symptoms
"These wish bone-shaped, or more fittingly, devil-forked tips can cause the ends of the hair to look damaged and also make styles appear unkempt."
Remedies
"Use moisturising products, including a shampoo, conditioner and intensive treatment (apply this especially to the roots)."
- Clynol Care Caress Split Ends, £10.65 (Call Clynol on 01296 314000, or go to www.clynol.com)
- Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Hair Tip Serum, £8.05 (Call Goldwell on 01323 432100, or go to www.goldwell.com)
- Pureology Essential Repair Split End Correcting Treatment, £17.85 (Call Pureology on 020 8762 4121, or go to www.pureology.co.uk)
- label.m Split End Sealer Compact, £22.50 (Call label.m on 0870 770 8080, or go to www.labelm.com)
Greasy hair
Cause
"Grease comes from natural oils secreted by the sebaceous glands attached to the hair follicle."
Symptoms
"Greasy, oily hair will look dull, lacklustre and unkempt."
Remedies
"These days, oily hair should not present a problem. The solution is daily conditioning and using a light conditioner at the ends. Some people with greasy hair avoid conditioner, but used correctly it will not make the hair more oily."
- Davines Natural Tech Rebalancing Shampoo, £14.35 (Call Davines on 020 3301 5449, or go to www.davines.com)
- KMS California Hairplay Makeover Spray, £14.50 (Call KMS California on 01323 432100, or go to www.kmscalifornia.com)
- Indola Innova Specialists Cleansing Shampoo, £7.40 (Call Indola on 01296 314100, or go to www.indola.com)
- Schwarzkopf Professional BC Hair + Scalp Deep Cleansing Shampoo, £9.75 (Call Schwarzkopf Professional on 01296 314000, or go to www.schwarzkopf-professional.co.uk)
Dandruff
Cause
"It is estimated that 80% of the population have had dandruff at some time. The causes can be nutritional, such as eating too much fat and salt, not eating enough fruit or salads and not drinking enough water. Using the wrong products on the hair is another cause but the biggest factor is stress, which certainly makes flaking worse."
Symptoms
"The word dandruff is a generic term used for all types of scalp flaking, whether it's eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis or, the most common form of dandruff - pityriasis capitis."
Remedies
"One of the problems with dandruff is that if you are prone to it, the condition tends to recur if the circumstances changing your skin secretions recur. For that reason, it is advisable to use anti-dandruff products occasionally even after the problem has cleared up."
- Mizani Scalp Care Shampoo and Conditioner, £13.85 (Call Mizani on 0800 121 4676)
- ASP Kitoko Dandruff Control Cleaner, £11.95 (Call ASP on 01794 527111, or go to www.asphair.com)
- American Crew Anti Dandruff Shampoo, £10.95 (Call The Icon Consultancy on 01282 613413, or go to www.americancrew.com)
- Kérastase Bain Exfoliant Purifiant, £15.90 (Call Kérastase on 0845 600 0515, or go to www.kerastase.co.uk)
Frizz
Cause
"Everyone is born with a specific hair configuration, and frizzy hair is one of them. It is probably the most frustrating for people. However, it is also possible to achieve frizzy hair by abuse, particularly perming, over-use of hot irons, over blow-drying and excessive colouring. Frizziness is aggravated by humidity and electric static, and is more frequent if you have curly hair."
Symptoms
"Frizzy hair is defined as tight, fluffy curls, but in a broader sense it also refers to hair that has gone out of shape, sticks up in wisps and loses its smoothness. The outer layer or cuticle of the hair is roughened, giving the impression of coarse, dry locks."
Remedies
"Use moisturising stylers and protectors which aim to smooth down the cuticle as well as protect the hair."
- La Biosthetique Styling Balm, £13.50 (Call La Biosthetique on 01296 611731, or go to www.biosthetique.co.uk)
- Matrix Biolage Smoothérapie Deep Smoothing Leave-in Cream, £12.25 (Call Matrix on 0800 387608, or go to www.matrixhaircare.com)
- Milk_shake no_frizz Glistening Shampoo Oil, £15.29 (Call milk_shake on 01392 365177, or go to www.milkshakehaircare.co.uk)
- Silky Sexy Hair Shampoo and Conditioner, from £10.99 (Call Sexy Hair on 0845 230 9660, or go to www.sexyhair.co.uk)
Over-processed hair
Cause
"The most common source of damage to the hair is either over-use or incorrect use of chemical processes. These include bleaches, perms, relaxers and chemical straighteners. Heat is another problem, especially when the hair is already chemically processed. Straightening irons and curling tongs pose a threat - even a hair dryer that is too hot can 'burn' the hair."
Symptoms
"Damaged hair lacks moisture, so the hair's cuticle is often lifted and roughened, leading to tangling, potential breakage, dullness and difficulty in handling."
Remedies
Glenn: "The best way to counteract the damage is to use a deep conditioner before shampooing. Work it into the hair with the fingertips. Leave it in for 20 minutes or so and then wash it out with a moisturising shampoo and after-shampoo conditioner."
- Kevin.Murphy Born.Again.Masque, £20.95 (Call The Icon Consultancy 01282 613413, or go to www.kevinmurphy.com.au)
- Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, £18.50 (Call Aveda on 0870 034 2380, or go to www.aveda.co.uk)
- L'Anza Trauma Treatment, £22.95 (Call L'Anza on 01296 612062, or go to www.lanza-hair.co.uk)
Limp hair
Cause
"The vast majority of women have naturally fine or limp hair.
They all want to give their hair more volume and body, and they all wish to avoid tangling, breaking and splitting. This is a difficult problem, but it is a manageable one."
Symptoms
"Limpness results in lack of body and the hair doesn't feel full enough. It often lies flat and loses its style very quickly."
Remedies
"One way to add volume is to colour or perm the hair, as this causes the hair shaft to swell. Another method is to use thickening products, such as specialised shampoos and conditioners. With limp hair, the cleaner it is the better the appearance, so it should be washed daily."
- Affinage Styling Dirt Works, £8.90 (Call Affinage on 01794 527111, or go to www.affinage.com)
- Natulique Volume Hairwash and Conditioner, from £14.95 (Call Natulique on 020 8997 4781, or go to www.natulique.me)
- Organic Colour Systems Volume Mousse, £10.95 (Call Herb UK on 01590 613490)
- Structure Foundation Hair Prep and Primer, £9.95 (Call Structure on 0845 071 2326, or go to www.structurehair.co.uk)