ASK THE EXPERT

Felicity Bruce is the Owner of Cocoon Hair Design and Joico Guest Artist.

My scalp flakes after I get my hair coloured. Why does this happen and what can I do to prevent it?

Flaky scalps can occur immediately after a colour service, or up to two weeks later. This tells me there is a sensitivity to the colour service, so I’d look for alternatives to the type of colour or the technique that has been used. Perhaps change the colour from a permanent to a demi-permanent, or look at off-scalp colour options.

I’m trying to grow my hair long. How often should I get it trimmed, and is there anything I can do to speed up the growth?

I would still get your hair trimmed regularly – but instead of every five to six weeks, stretch it out by a few weeks. Also the trim needs to be tiny, so go to a hairdresser that believes in millimetres, not centimetres. Keep your diet well balanced and look into supplements to ensure you have all the necessary goodness to grow your hair.

How often should I wash my hair?

The common recommended frequency is every couple of days – but there are many variables that can change this. If you work in hospitality or hit the gym often, you might need to wash daily – or if you have a bright colour it will need less washing to avoid fading. If you are struggling with this, talk to your hairdresser, as they know their products and your hair the best. They can help you to figure out which shampoo and washing frequency will work best for you. For those washing their hair every day, consider using a co-wash (cleansing conditioner), as this will provide cleansing to the hair and scalp with minimal disruption to your hair’s colour and natural oils.