Your Top Haircare Questions, Answered By The Experts
Image: The Vault Stock
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Your Top Haircare Questions, Answered By The Experts

Hair advice can be surprisingly conflicting – particularly when it comes to washing, styling, damage and colour. With that in mind, we asked the SL Community which hair questions they really wanted answered, then put them to the experts to give us their thoughts…
Image: The Vault Stock

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Is it really bad to wash your hair every single day? – Nathalie Eichler, SL team member 

“Every person (and their hair and scalp) is very different – what works for one may not work for another. Where possible, I recommend washing your hair around two to three times a week, maximum. Washing every day can strip the hair of its natural oils and leave hair feeling a little flat. But truthfully, it’s all down to what works best for your scalp and hair.” – Jay Birmingham, celebrity hair stylist 
 

How can I have oily and dry hair at the same time? A detox shampoo works wonders for the scalp but dries out the rest – any tips? – Hollie R, SL Community member 

“Believe it or not, this is absolutely normal. An oily scalp but dry ends is far more common now, especially post-Covid and in the warmer weather. Your scalp releases a natural oil which travels down the hair strand. However, if your hair is damaged or split, the oil cannot pass down so easily  – resulting in dry ends. My advice is to really refine your haircare routine. First, a hydrating shampoo and conditioner are great ways to nourish the hair and deliver key nutrients from the root right down the ends. Likewise, use a mask every seven to ten days to support your overall health and nourish every part of the strand and shaft.” – Jay 
 

My hair has become quite coarse and frizzy around my hairline. I’m assuming it’s hormone-related but what can I do to make it finer or manage it? – Tania Wells, SL Community member 

“A lot of hair changes do come down to the fluctuation of hormones; it happens to every single person. During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels drop, and this in turn lowers the production of natural oils. That then causes the follicles to change shape and makes hair feel coarse, wiry and frizzy. To combat this and make hair more manageable, use sulphate-free shampoos and leave-in conditioners that are designed to retain moisture. It’s also a good idea to introduce weekly deep conditioning treatments. My secret is to rinse the hair with cool water as this encourages the cuticle to close and flatten.” – Jay 

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How does everyone stop their blow-dries from dropping as soon as they walk out of the salon door? – Victoria Kong, SL team member 

“The key to keeping a blow-dry looking super bouncy is making sure your hair is properly prepped. I recommend NAK Blowout Smooth Mist – apply it evenly to damp hair before styling to protect against heat, smooth the hair and maintain that salon-grade look for longer. It’s also important that your stylist allows each section of hair to cool completely while it’s still in shape. Cooling sets the movement and volume created during the blow-dry, which prevents the style from dropping as soon as you step outside. Try to avoid touching or brushing through the hair too much immediately afterwards, as this can loosen the shape before it has set properly.” – Andrew Barton, celebrity hair stylist 
 

My ends always feel super soft on wash day but become dry by the second day. What can I use to keep them fresh and soft so I can wear my hair down for longer before washing it again? – Rachel McHugh, SL team member 

“To refresh your hair and recreate that freshly washed and styled look, dry shampoo can be a really useful tool. Spray it lightly onto the roots, allow it a few moments to absorb any excess oil and then work it thoroughly through the hair and towards the ends. This will help keep the roots feeling clean and refreshed while restoring softness and bounce throughout the lengths. Be careful not to apply too much product at once – a light application is usually all you need. Brush it through to distribute the product evenly and leave your hair feeling fresh and soft from root to tip.” – Andrew 
 

Can you actually make your hair thicker with a topical product? I've been trying one recently and I've seen some baby hair growth… – Bryony Hardy, SL Community member 

“Topical products may work for some and not others. Generally, they can increase thickness and encourage regrowth but it all works hand in hand with the hair shaft. One thing to note is that baby hair growth is the starting stage and will take continual nourishment in order to grow at a faster rate. Stick with it!” – Jay 
 

I have bleached hair – how can I keep it healthy? – Bethan Campbell, SL Community member 

“Bleached hair is one that requires continual care and nourishment as the bleach can dry out the hair drastically. The first thing you want to do is establish a routine that will nourish the hair and provide key nutrients. Your shampoo and conditioner should be sulphate-free and deep conditioning – essential for nourishing the follicle and shaft. When washing, opt for warm water, not hot – it’s kinder to the hair and a lot more gentle. Once washed, apply a leave-in conditioner every time to protect your hair against nature’s elements. Finally, avoid heat where possible. Heat can damage it more than anything else, as it is concentrated on a specific section when styling.” – Jay

Follow @ANDREW_BARTON_HAIR & @JAYBIRMINGHAM_

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