AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

42 AsiaSpa July/August 2017

TheTruthAbout

to your hair if used incorrectly. Overlapping

or frequent colouring can weaken and

damage the hair shaft causing breakage,

loss of shine and elasticity. Using a regular

hair treatment such as Elasticizer will help

combat the effects of dryness and brittleness.

Ammonia-free colours are popular for those

with sensitive skin but still contain chemicals.

There have been a lot of improvements in

colourants over the decades in the choice

of shades, formulations and ingredients that

comply with safety regulations. Embrace

natural or grey if concerned.

MYTH: Hair loss is seasonal – True!

LC: There seems to be a seasonal impact

on the hair for many. Spring and autumn

are the times some feel they shed more hair

than usual.

MYTH: You can eat your way to healthier

-looking hair – True!

AC: Hair is made of protein, so a protein-

rich diet is crucial to optimise strength,

quality and resilience. A diet which

includes all the food groups, enough

calories, vitamins and minerals can guard

against the nutritional deficiencies which

can be responsible for excessive shedding.

Research has shown taking vitamin B12

supplements, B5 (carrot juice is a good

source of B5) and B6 can help.

Writer Catharine Nicol

Common Hair Myths

Untangling the truth on tresses

Get it right and healthy, shiny hair

is ‘your thing’. But bad hair days happen to

everyone. So are all those myths about hair

thickness, colour, loss and overall health

true or false? Who better to ask than Lisa

Caddy, consultant trichologist and education

manager at Philip Kingsley, and in-house

trichologist and artistic director at the

Mandarin Salon, Andrea Clark.

MYTH:Brushing your hair regularly makes

it healthier– Busted!

LC: Frequent or aggressive brushing can

result in hair breakage, so only brush to tidy

or style.

MYTH: Cutting your hair makes it grow

faster or thicker – Busted!

LC: Unfortunately no, as hair is dead, except

for the cells deep in the follicle. However, if

you have damaged and split ends, cutting

helps the hair look thicker and healthier.

MYTH: You have to shampoo daily – True!

LC: But manage it carefully and you can

safely miss a day. A clean, healthy, flake-free

scalp will grow a better head of hair. Frequent

shampooing using premium products, a

regular hair mask, scalp toner, heat protectors

and products containing UV sunscreens can

all contribute to better hair.

If you can’t shampoo daily, then shampoo

twice and ensure your conditioner is only

applied to the mid-lengths and ends, not

roots. Use a scalp toner after shampooing to

close pores and reduce oil production. Dry

shampoos can be useful in emergencies to

absorb excess oil and make hair look fresher.

MYTH: You can make fine hair thicker or

fuller – True!

LC: A premium volumising shampoo and

conditioner will contain strengthening

proteins, adding to fullness and volume. A

good mousse will add volume, hold and

structure. Gels tend to be less volumising

and take care with sea salt sprays. Salt is a

natural dehydrator that can parch the hair

causing brittleness and breaking. Fine long

hair gets tangled easily and can be prone to

breakage, so use a good detangling spray that

conditions too.

MYTH: Once you’ve got dandruff, you’ve

always got dandruff – Busted!

LC: Typical dandruff is not a sign of a dry

scalp, but an oily one. This can be due to

stress, hormonal or dietary changes. Good

scalp health and shampooing daily is key

to clearing a flaky and itchy scalp. Using an

antimicrobial shampoo will reduce bacteria

and inflammation.

MYTH: You can’t slow, stop or reverse the

onset of grey hair – Debatable.

LC: The onset of grey hair is due to the ageing

process and largely genetically determined. It

is thought that being copper- or B12-deficient

can nudge greying along, so ensure you

eat a balanced, healthy diet. There is lack

of evidence that stress induces grey hair,

although it may burn up additional particular

vitamins and minerals.

MYTH: Regular colouring is bad for your

hair – True!

AC: Regular highlights or colouring need

regular TLC. Chemical dyes can be harmful BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN ON THE BEACH/THINKSTOCK