Can haircuts cause hair loss? Six myths and truths about hair loss

Can haircuts cause hair loss? We debunk the myths around hair loss and reveal what you can do today to take good care of your hair.

 

“Can haircuts cause hair loss?”

FALSE: In a word: no! Let us explain why. The way you treat the hair shafts doesn’t provide any sort of damage or affect your roots. This is because hair shafts are basically made up of dead tissues, so there isn’t any metabolism going on inside them. No matter how you treat these hair shafts, it would never affect the living tissue. Most of the metabolic activity related to hair loss happens inside the human body, which is called the hair follicle.

“Can haircuts make my hair thinner?”

FALSE: There is no solid evidence that cutting hair short will cause it to thin. In fact, frequent trims can make thinning hair appear fuller because it removes older hair and encourages growth. The hair looks thicker, because it’s healthy, new hair, but it’s not actually thicker. That’s just part of the life cycle of the hair follicle.

Photo by Rachel Coyne on Unsplash

“Greasy hair falls out more often”

TRUE: When your scalp produces too much grease and you don’t get rid of it, you may find that more of your hair falls out. This is because sebum (oil) makes your hair ‘dirty’ and can obstruct the follicle. Give some attention to your scalp when hair washing and see if you notice sebum and dirt building up. Opt for gentle products that suit your hair type.

“Anxiety and stress can affect hair loss”

TRUE: When you notice that a lot of your hair is falling out, you may worry even more, contributing to a cycle of loss and feelings of worry and stress. Remember that it’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, so hair loss is normal.

Photo by Matthew Tkocz on Unsplash

“Washing your hair on a daily basis makes it fall out more”

FALSE: Not only is this not true, it’s actually completely the opposite! If your hair feels greasy every day, it’s best to wash it to stop excess sebum blocking your follicles. Hair that falls out as you wash was ready to fall out anyway. This loss has nothing to do with your showering habits! While washing won’t make your hair fall out, make sure that you always use products that don’t damage your scalp or irritate it.

“Brushing your hair when it’s wet means more will fall out”

FALSE: In line with the previous myth, your hair doesn’t fall out more if you brush it when it’s wet. Hair is more elastic when it’s wet, and it also has a greater tendency to split, which means that you feel as though more is falling out, whereas in fact it’s just broken. If your hair is in the process of falling out, brushing gathers up hair that is about to shed anyway: it doesn’t actually cause hair loss.

Happy Christmas to all our lovely customers!

We hope you all have a great break and stay safe and well. See you in 2022!

Six frizz-busting products for curly haired girls

Are you constantly fighting the frizz?

Does it take hours to tame your curls every morning? Check out these six frizz-busting hair products we swear by….

Click on the images to buy the products!

How do I look after my hair in winter? The ultimate guide to winter haircare

How do I look after my hair in winter: the tips and tricks you need for shiny glossy hair.

Want to know how to look after your hair in winter? We’ve got the answers so don’t panic!

We all know that the cold, dry air and harsh winds can strip our hair of moisture and leaving it looking dull and lifeless.

Photo by Martin Reisch on Unsplash

Static can be a big problem in winter too particularly after wearing a woolly hat, or if you spend a lot of time in rooms with the central heating on.

This is basically because the hair starts to pick up a static charge whenever it dries out - under normal circumstances this static charge would be absorbed by water molecules in the air, but dry winter air means there is nowhere for this moisture to go. And that means FRIZZ!

So if you want to know how do I look after my hair in winter, here are our top three tips to try today:

PUT THE MOISTURE BACK WITH A HAIR TREATMENT

Give your hair a lovely hydrating shampoo, use a hair oil treatment or deep conditioning mask to lock in that moisture and stop hair becoming brittle.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

LOOK AFTER YOUR SCALP

As well as the hair follicles the scalp is covered in a ton of microscopic sebaceous glands (responsible for producing the healthy hair sebum oils that keep the hair nourished).

When the scalp gets dry or irritated, these glands stop working properly and your body’s supply of sebum dries up - so the hair is stripped of its natural protective coating, and exposed to the cold winter air - this is what makes it brittle or dry in the colder months.

To counteract this, look out for specialist shampoos and treatments designed to nourish the scalp. Most of these products have a combo of peptides, proteins and plant extracts to maintain the balance of natural oil needed for a healthy scalp.

GET A HAIRCUT

Regular trims mean that the split ends, and any damaged dry or old hairs are left on the salon floor. We recommend getting a trim every 4-6 weeks, more if you have a shorter style you want to keep in check. Click here or the button below to book your next haircut.

How can I get shiny hair? Five products to get that glossy look

How to protect your hair in winter

Want to know how to protect your hair in winter? Central heating, cold air and styling can really play havoc with hair and cause it to be dry and brittle. But with these haircare tips you can keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

Wash your hair less often

If you want to know how to protect your hair in winter, one simple trick is to wash it less. Natural oils provide a protective layer between your scalp and hair and washing removes some of these essential oils. Bridge the gap between washes – and avoid looking greasy – by using dry shampoo.

Click here to see some of our favourites. Bonus tip: dry shampoo smells great and gives extra volume!

Go easy with the hairdryer

Going out with damp or wet hair is definitely a big no-no in winter, but using a hairdryer to dry hair can actually make it dryer. Make sure you use a low heat setting and a heat protection product before styling for gorgeous, healthy hair.

Hydrate

Invest in some moisturising shampoo and conditioner and give hair a boost with a weekly hair mask or deep conditioning treatment.

Wear a hat

Keep hair protected from the cold with a beanie. Just make sure hair is totally dry before you put the hat on or expect some funky new hairstyle when you take it off!

Photo credit Emma Kate Instagram. Emma is wearing the MND Tee hat, which raises money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Buy yours here.

Cut off split ends

Winter is often toughest of all on the ends of your hair. Get regular trims and those split ends won’t stand a chance – your hair will remain healthy and gorgeous. Book your next appointment online here or click the button below.

How to blow-dry hair and get the salon look at home

Always wanted to know how to blow dry hair like a professional hairstylist? We give you proper tips and tricks for your most impressive blowdry yet.

Ever wondered how to blow-dry hair at home and get pro results? When salons closed during lockdown we all had to become home hairdressers, with various results from bad to really bad!

There’s no substitute for a salon blow-dry and if you want to book an appointment for your big night out then click the button below for our online booking system.

But if you want to know how to blow-dry your hair at home with salon results, then read on….

As always, careful preparation is everything. Before anything else, wash your hair or make sure it is clean and that you have got a great hairdryer and hairbrush.

It’s also worth investing in a detangling brush or comb, “no dent” section clips, heat protection spray, a vented or round brush and your favourite hairspray or holding product.

HOW TO BLOW-DRY HAIR AT HOME: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

ROUGH-DRY HAIR AFTER WASHING

Start by rough-drying your hair after washing (this means just using your hands and blow-drying hair with general all-over movements) on a medium-speed setting until damp, or until approximately 80 per cent dry.

Now is the time to add a heat protecting spray or balm to work in conjunction with a hair dryer to keep your hair healthy.

PART HAIR

Prep the hair by brushing through and and parting it in the middle with a comb.

DRY THE FRONT SECTIONS FIRST

We recommend drying the fronts first because these are the sections that will naturally dry quickest.

Once you’ve done this, pin with “no dent” clips to hold in place.

PART THE REST OF THE HEAD AND BEGIN DRYING

Part your hair from ear to ear, divide into smaller sections with clips, and then dry the hair with a large round roller brush. Wooden ones work better than metal as the metal can get really hot and burn and damage the hair. Roll the large brush at the end of each section to create a smooth curl.

ANGLE DOWNWARDS

When drying, always make sure your dryer is angled down, as this will make the hair cuticle smooth and shiny.

FINISH THE FRONT SECTION

Finally, finish off by drying the top front section near the forehead and crown by splitting hair into two along the parting. We find that blow-drying hair away from each side of the face gives more flattering results, since it opens up your features.

COMPLETE THE LOOK WITH HAIRSPRAY

Remove clips and spritz with a flexible-hold hairspray for locks that have natural movement and control.

How to curl naturally straight hair

If you’re after gorgeous bouncy curls, click here to find out five ways to do it via L’Oreal. And if you need styling products to keep those curls lasting longer, pop into the salon and choose from our huge range of L’Oreal products.

Four easy tips for healthy, gorgeous hair

Summer hair tip 1: Start with a trim

Not only will it get rid of split ends and instantly make hair look healthier, it’ll make you feel - and look - great. Call us on 01865 553725 or email Emma at Emma.pankhurst7@icloud.com to make an appointment.

Tip 2: Shield your hair from the sun with a hat

Yes, it sounds simple, but protecting your strands with a hat is an easy way to keep hair healthy.

Tip 3: Invest in a moisturising shampoo and conditioner

We love L’Oreal Paris Power Moisture Hydrating Shampoo and L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System Moisture Conditioner. Talk to us in the salon about our L’Oreal range of moisturising shampoos and conditioners.

Tip 4: Ditch the hot tools

Hair styling tools can be damaging at the best of times, but when the heat is on, give your hair a break by letting hair dry naturally.

Why is my hair so oily?

Why is my hair so oily? we hear you cry. Well, there can be many reasons for this and we’re here to help you get to the bottom of it.

As you’re probably already aware, healthy hair produces a certain amount of sebum, or oil, as a way to hydrate your scalp and protect your hair.

And the amount of oil you produce varies depending on your hair type, how often you shower and other lifestyle factors like that.

Sometimes this natural oil can collect on your hair, especially at the root - and this can look greasy or oily.

If this sounds familiar, then we’re here to tell you the causes of oily hair, products that can control oil production, and some home remedies for when your hair looks too greasy.

So what’s the cause?

The oil in your hair is part of your body’s defense system for the sensitive hair of your scalp. This oil mixes with sweat and dirt, coating your scalp and sometimes the top of your head, too. This is actually normal, so don’t panic.

Practicing good hygiene by washing your scalp often with a shampoo cleanses the oil and gives your hair a fresh start. But saying that, some hair types (straight hair for one, sorry guys) are prone to oil build-up and certain lifestyle habits, like exercise, over-use of styling products, and being out in the heat or humidity can add to your bad hair day.

Photo by Chris Slupski on Unsplash

Cause 1: Over-washing

If your hair is oily or greasy one of the causes could be over-washing.

Every time you wash your hair with shampoo, it sends the scalp the signal to produce more sebum. If you’re washing your hair too often, your scalp gets the message that it needs to be in oil production overdrive.

This can result in oily build-up on your scalp - and the greasy look you’re trying to avoid.

Cause 2: Hair type

Straight hair is especially prone to collecting oil because the hair shaft doesn’t have any texture or wave to it, so oil slides straight down the hair shaft and collects all over your head. It also makes oil in your hair more visible when hair hangs straight down.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Cause 3: Products

Another cause of oily hair is the type of styling products you use. Sebum is a type of oil, which means that simply washing it with water doesn’t break it up.

Rinsing your hair with just water or skipping the shampoo step and using only conditioner can allow oil to build up.

While it might not be easy to spot the oil when your hair is drying, it quickly appears oily again only a few hours or so later.

That’s because only certain ingredients, found in most shampoos, can break down the oil that builds up on your hair.