Whatever your hair situation, there’s a solution for it. Wash those issues right out of your hair using this expert advice.
Fine or thinning hair
Known enemies: Thick, moisturising conditioners and styling products – a heavy coating of moisture weighs your strands down and makes them clump unflatteringly, exposing your scalp.
Secret weapon: Have your hair cut every three to four weeks. “Don’t try to compensate with extra length – it only makes you look like you’re trying to hide something,” says Guilfoyle. If balding is your challenge, have the thinning areas cut slightly shorter than the fuller parts so they blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
Oily hair
Known enemies: Over-exposure to heat, and vigorous brushing or combing. “That triggers more oil production on the scalp,” says Delin Naude, professional stylist at The Palladium Hair Company.
Secret weapon: Use fewer brushstrokes, to reduce the amount of oil you distribute from your scalp. If you want to be creative, squeeze a lemon into one cup of water and use it to rinse your hair after shampooing, Naude says. The acid strips away excess oil build-up. (The fresh scent is a bonus.)
Dry hair
Known enemy: Frequent shampooing in hot water.
Secret weapon: Wash your hair in lukewarm water twice a week – max. That way you won’t scald already dry ends or scrub away your hair’s natural oils with detergents. Then style it using a natural boar-bristle brush. The bristles spread the oil from your scalp to parched strands down the length of the hair shaft. “This creates more evenly moisturised hair and a healthier scalp,” says Guilfoyle.
Curly or frizzy hair
Known enemies: Frequent washing, which can turn your natural curls to frizz, and vigorous towel drying, which makes the frizziness even worse.
Secret weapon: Don’t dry your hair aggressively; just blot it. “Blotting reactivates the curls without shocking them,” says Guilfoyle. The way you dry your hair sets the stage for how it behaves the rest of the day.
Dandruff
Known enemies: Rushed rinsing. Daily shampooing and conditioning is important for removing flakes and keeping your scalp clean and moisturised, but be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly. It’s vital to clearing residue from your hair, Naude says.
Secret weapon: Sunshine. Ultraviolet light can be effective in resolving many flaky-skin conditions. Try a noonday run outdoors to help clear dandruff.
Dull hair
Known enemies: Styling products applied to wet hair. Since many pomades and volumisers are water-based, adding a dab to wet hair just dilutes the effect. “The product will work best with a dry base,” says Naude
Secret weapon Beer: Just take one into the shower and massage it into your hair a few times a week after shampooing. Then rinse. The hops may help coat your hair and add volume” Guilfoyle says.
