Ask the experts

To support Hair Loss Awareness Month 2011, Trisha Buller will directly answer 10 questions each related to the topic of hair loss from those submitted.

Trisha Buller is an expert trichologist with years of experience and salon director at award winning hair and scalp clinic, Ciente.

Trisha understands the issues surrounding hair loss first hand, having suffered with it herself and is supporting Hair Loss Awareness Month by providing health tips and advice to help you with any issues you may have related to hair loss and thinning hair.

“The modern day lifestyle can take its toll on you and your hair. Many things, like environment, hormones, over styling & chemical services, can alter your hair and influence your hair’s condition, vitality and shine. But with some trusted treatments, clever styling and healthy habits you can revive it back into shape and nourish it to the core.”

Here are some top tips to stay proactive and boost your health’s nutrition:

1. Hair cuts

First and foremost, the secret to long, thick, healthy hair is strong hair. Get any split ends trimmed off. No matter what a product claims, nothing will repair split ends except a trim. If split ends are ignored they will continue to split along the shaft creating irreparable damage and causing the hair to break off and thin.

2. Clarifying Shampoo - product build up

It is then important to look at the cleansing process of your hair. Product build up can make your hair look dull and lifeless, which is the last thing you need when you are experiencing thinning hair anyway. It is important to remove product build up regularly using a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos remove product build up and atmospheric toxins leaving your hair with a gloss and shine.

3. Shampoo ingredients

Know your shampoo; go for a shampoo that cleanses the scalp and offers strengthening and protection, or moisture for your hair. This will help prevent the hair from becoming brittle and breaking off.

4. How best to shampoo/condition

Conditioner is essential - many people choose to go without conditioner if their hair is fine or greasy as it can make it go flat. However like your skin, hair needs moisturiser. Conditioner coats the outside layer of your hair (cuticle) protecting the inner structure, creating shine, and by using the right conditioner for your hair type it will also give body and volume, or sleek and smooth finish, whatever you desire. Hair treatments are essential for your inner hair structure; your hair needs to maintain a balance of protein, moisture, sugar, salts and fatty acids to keep its stretch and return. By using a weekly intensive treatment your hair will maintain its strength and optimum condition improving its look and feel. Remember to always finish with a conditioner to protect the outside layer of hair (cuticle).

5. Nutrition

Your nutrition is essential in making your hair look young and vibrant and preventing hair loss. Eating plenty of protein (milk, fish, nuts, eggs) and making sure you top up your essential fatty acids (from olive oil, walnuts) can feed the hair from within and ensure that the hair has the key nutrients it needs to continue to grow in the normal hair growth cycle. Hair is a complex chain of amino acids so poor nutrition can lead to weakening of the hair so you need these proteins to fuel healthy cell regeneration. Supplementation can also help with conditioning your hair, especially during times of stress or dieting when you may not be getting all the essential nutrients you require. Choose a supplement designed for hair health and growth for the best results.

6. Dry naturally - no heat

It is best to let your hair dry naturally; but if you need to use heat on it make sure you use a heat protection spray which you spray on the hair while it is still wet and then blow dry, this will also protect hair from curlers/straighteners etc. By not using protector products on your hair it’s like putting an iron straight onto your skin! The temperatures reach up to 200˚+ in a matter of seconds, which could directly damage your hair and cause it to thin.

7. Body – dry hair upside down

When you are struggling with thinning hair, increasing the body is essential to making the hair you do have look thick and glamorous. It is therefore essential to get to the bottom of this problem and give your hair the maximum root lift that it needs. Certain products can be used such as root boosters, but alternatively drying your hair with a brush or tipping your head upside down while towel drying or gently blow drying can give your hair an amazing boost.

8. Sun protection

Similar to skin care, it is important to protect your hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When you expose your hair to the sun it sucks even the healthiest hair's moisture out and leaves the outside layer of your hair dehydrated and raspy to touch, leaving your hair looking dull. There are many products available that contain sunscreen and SPF, so before any sun exposure ensure your hair is protected. Wearing a hat to cover your hair will not suffice, as the humidity can still have the effects of dehydration. And beware braiding your hair causes tension on the scalp and exposes your scalp to the elements, this can end up in scalp burns which could have a long term detrimental effect.