Dehydrated Hair/Dry Hair Tips

 

After years of dyeing and heat styling my hair has had enough, it’s snapping, in protest and all over my black coat, little snippets are breaking away at an alarming rate and what I thought were short layers are not – it’s broken hair and as my friend tried to tactfully tell me if I continue to abuse it the whole lot will have to be chopped off.  

 

Before I resorted to such drastic measures I contacted Spargo Hairdressing in Brentwood to see if they could help. I’d been to their open day and was impressed they stocked Philip Kingsley (PK) one of the world’s best hair care brands. Ian Marshall the owner advised me to have the PK Scalp Mask Spa Treatment and explained how this would hydrate and improve the condition of my scalp and if used in conjunction with the cult product Elasticizer would nourish and renew my hair.

 

On the day Stacey Moss applied a layer of mint exfoliator to my scalp, a thoroughly rejuvenating experience. Elasticizer was generously applied to the mid lengths and ends, and I was then left with a continuous supply of cappuccinos under a head steamer (to ensure the product reached the cuticles), whilst Stacey gave me some invaluable tips such as never use a hair oil before applying straightening irons as this will make hair sizzle! Finally I was treated to an amazing head massage before the rich oils from the products were shampooed out. Amy Henesy then applied her expert cutting skills by blunt cutting my hair which made it look thicker, shinier and most importantly take control of my broken layers. The difference was astounding and I thoroughly recommend this to anyone with long, frizzy or highlighted locks to keep hair in tip-top condition.

 

The PK Scalp Mask Spa Treatment is usually £37 however, Spargo 01277 210768 are offering askmollybeauty readers an incredible discount of 50% off valid for 1 month from publication.

 

I also contacted world leading Trichologist Philip Kingsley to give readers some tips on dehydrated hair:-

 

·         You can have the best colour, cut and hairstylist but if your hair is dry it’s never going to look or feel its best. Thankfully though there are many easy steps you can take to restore hydration, shine and health to your tresses.

 

·         Dry hair lacks moisture and this is what causes it to look dull and also to break easily. Hydrate them with a leave in pre-shampoo conditioning treatment, what surprises many people though is that daily shampooing can help with this too. Water is your hair’s most natural hydrator – its moisture, not oil content that keeps your hair supple.

 

 

·         Dry hair usually has a rough cuticle which means it can’t reflect light well. Daily use of a post-shampoo conditioner for your hair texture will smooth your hair cuticle giving you lovely light reflection and shine. The use of a leave-in conditioning, protective spray can also be beneficial– acting as both a curative and preventative styling tool.

 

·         Dry hair is already fragile so take extra precautions when you colour or highlight it. Make your stylist aware of your dry hair concerns and stress that you don’t want them to overlap previously bleached areas of hair. For extra protection and hydration use an intensive moisturising mask 3 days before and then again after any colouring or bleaching.

 

·         Your hair only grows half an inch a month so you will see results from a nutritious diet in about 6 months. We suggest eating at least 120g of protein with breakfast and lunch (your hair is after all made of protein!), and including a mixture of complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables into your daily regime. Red meats contain both iron and ferritin (a stored iron that helps make hair cell protein) and are essential for strong, healthy hair growth.

 

·         If you use a blow-dryer make sure to hold it at least 6 inches away and stop when’ just dry’. Correct blow-drying doesn’t dry out your hair its applying heat to already dried hair that does the damage. Straightening irons, we suggest limiting their use to twice a week – and always use a styling aid with heat protection when doing so.

 

To stop my hair from breaking even more, I’ve been testing the following products:-

 

KeraStraight Moisture Mask £25 I loved this and from the first time I tested it there was an immediate difference to the condition of my hair. Using the same technology as the KeraStraight protein treatment and with added Palmeira Tucuma a Brazilian fibre palm, this instantly hydrates and improves brittle hair. www.kerastraight.com.

 

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Ultimate Luxe Set £70 is the ultimate in hair spa treatments and offers everything to keep your hair in tip top condition, with full sizes of sulphate-free Moisturizing Lather Shampoo, Keratin Intensive Treatment, Styling Treatment Oil and HydroCream Whip. Whilst expensive the products will last months and are of the highest quality. For an intense hydrating burst try the Super Charged Moisturizer £14.75 or the Hair Repair Treatment £13.75 to strengthen damaged, brittle locks. www.paul-mitchell-co.uk.

 

JOICO Moisture Recovery £10.95 is ideal for a quick spritz of hydration which doesn’t weigh the hair down. Containing Panthenol and Evening Primrose Oil both well-known ingredients in the hair industry to reduce frizz and leave locks protected from harsh winter elements.  www.joicoeurope.com.

 

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer £15 www.philipkingsley.co.uk. In over 27 years this cult product hasn’t changed its formula because quite simply it works. My hairdresser raves about it and people tell me it’s their must-have product. Upon application the hair cuticle is given a moisture boost, leaving hair silky, soft and swishy but most importantly not lank!

 

If you have any queries please contact me askmollybeauty@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @askmollybeauty/www.askmollybeauty.com