WINTER HAIR CARE
What are the best treatments for post-summer hair?
Summer can leave your strands looking a little dry, damaged and lacklustre when it comes to colour and condition. So with winter on the horizon, now is the time to get your hair in top condition. Celebrity hairstylists Kevin Murphy and Joey Scandizzo of ELEVEN Australia help crack the code to the perfect mane maintenance this winter with their easy steps.
POST-SUMMER TREATMENT
According to Scandizzo, prevention is key to healthy hair. Try a super hydrating shampoo and conditioner early on in summer to help give hair a fighting chance. If the damage is done, your best option is a trim. A fresh cut will eliminate split ends and help hair to appear thicker and healthier.
“A leave-in conditioner is also really important to hydrate and protect hair around the clock, but particularly after summer, when your hair has been exposed to UV rays, salty water or chlorine. This gives it the best chance of staying smooth and silky in between washes,” he says.
REHYDRATE HAIR
Dry and damaged hair lacks moisture, so the best way to repair this is by using a product with a built-in plex, says Scandizzo. This repairs the bonds that have been broken by injecting the hair follicle with a boost of protein. “Our new Repair My Hair Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner does just that. It’s like a big green protein shake for your hair,” he says. “The amino acids found in quinoa repair damage to the hair shaft while its proteins coat, strengthen and protect the hair aiding in growth and preventing breakage, and aloe vera conditions the scalp. Hydrolysed soy protein also improves the texture, strengthens and repairs your hair.”
SCALP HEALTH
“A lot of people don’t realise how important it is to have a healthy scalp if you want to have healthy hair,” says Scandizzo. Start by brushing your scalp in order to get the blood to the top to stimulate hair growth and move the oils down the hair shaft so it doesn’t suffocate or clog the follicle. Scandizzo also advises to add proteins into your hair as well as moisture. “If your hair is depleted of proteins and is extremely dry, moisture alone won’t have anything to hold on to, so it will wash right out,” he says.
SELF-DIAGNOSIS
With all the hair products now available, such as dry shampoo, people tend to wash their hair less often, which is where scalp problems are starting to arise, says Kevin Murphy. “There was a time where people washed their hair every day and now women are stretching out their time in between washes, which can lead to scalp issues.” He says the physical signs of poor scalp health are usually either a dry scalp or an oily scalp. Other signs include a tight scalp, limp hair, broken hair and fragile hair.