FACT OR FICTION?
‘Brushing hair when it’s
wet damages it’
The key is to be gentle. “Your hair is in its most
vulnerable and sensitive state when it’s wet,” Syd
Hayes says. “Brushing with excessive force can cause
it to overstretch and tear.” Jonny Long recommends
using a detangling brush such as the Tangle Teezer
The Wet Detangler Fine & Fragile (£13). For
chemically treated hair, which can be even more
fragile in its wet state, it’s important to use a good
detangling mist first such as John Frieda Vibrant
Shine 3-in-1 Spray (£7), with argan oil to detangle
damp hair, protect against heat tools and add shine.PRO TIP “Start brushing from near the bottom of
the hair in a downward motion. Gently detangle in
sections, rather than from root to tip,” Ken Pavés says.THE BEST OF THE BRUSHES
For thick, dry hair a large paddle detangling
brush is your go-to.
TRY Charlotte Mensah Paddle Brush (£22)Those with textured and afro hair should “go for a
wide-tooth comb with tapering teeth”, Fekkai says.
TRY Wet Brush Go Green Detangling Comb (£8)For fine hair, Fekkai recommends using
a brush with flexible bristles.
TRY Moroccanoil Ceramic Paddle Brush (£15)FACT OR FICTION?
‘A conditioner and a mask
do the same thing’
Nope. Technically you could leave a heavy conditioner
on overnight to act as a mask but the reality is that
hair masks and conditioners are formulated to do
different things. “Conditioners can be used more
frequently and left on the hair for a shorter period to
improve manageability,” Erroll Douglas says. George
Northwood adds that “a mask is richer. It has a
thicker formula so it really binds itself to your hair and
penetrates deeper to improve the health and strength
of your strands.” Think of a conditioner as your regular
moisturiser and a mask as a weekly treatment.
FACT OR FICTION?
‘Stress causes hair to grey’
This is one hair fable that has an element of truth.
Going grey is mostly about genes, Anabel Kingsley
says: “If your mother or father went grey in their teens
or twenties, it is more likely you will as well.” However,
new studies have shown that high stress levels can
speed up the greying process. “It’s now thought stress
could deplete the stem cells that regenerate hair
pigment,” she says. We’ll try not to stress about that.
FACT OR FICTION?
‘Supplements will help
my hair grow longer’
Your diet plays a role in providing your hair with
the nutrients it needs, so before reaching for the
supplements take a close look at what you eat and
whether it’s lacking nutritionally. However, Kingsley
is quick to point out that it’s not diet alone. “Hair
is considered a non-essential tissue so it is the last
part of us to receive nutrients.” Supplements can,
therefore, give your strands an extra boost. JS Health
Hair + Energy Formula (£20 for 30) contains iodine
and zinc, deficiencies of which can cause poor hair
and scalp health and hair thinning or even loss.FACT OR FICTION?
‘Heated tools don’t
damage my hair’
There’s no two ways about this: “Heat styling will
cause breakage and damage,” Syd Hayes says.
However, this doesn’t mean you need to give up your
blow-drying habit or stow away the straighteners.
Northwood has this advice: “Try to limit the amount
of heat you use on your hair, and if you do want to use
heat tools regularly invest in a quality protecting spray,
which will work wonders to prevent any damage.” A
good way to minimise blow-drying time, and therefore
heat on hair, is to air or towel dry your hair until it’s
about 70 per cent dry before going in with the dryer.Microfibre towels reduce friction and frizz.
Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel (£17.50) is made
from bamboo fibres and organic cotton to give
a gentler drying experience.Mensah loves the GHD Air hairdryer (£119). “It
delivers high-pressure airflow for superfast drying,”
she says. “The ionic technology reduces frizz and
flyaways to give a smooth finish in half the time. It’s
really easy to use and has different heat settings.”For beach waves without the holiday heat try the new
Babyliss Cordless Waving Wand (£180). It works
like a crimper but instead of tight bends you’re left
with loose, undone waves. High-tech heaters in the
curling barrel let it work at lower temperatures.THE HAIR
SPECIAL
The Sunday Times Style • 15