This Expert Hair Stylist Answers Your Common Haircare Questions

Looking to achieve your best-ever hair? Here we speak to Francesca Dixon, Creative Director at Hari’s Hairdressers to hear her best advice on how best to care for yours…

How Often Should I Wash My Hair?

This depends on your hair type. Curly hair tends to be drier so once a week should suffice. Fine hair is prone to grease so requires more regular washing. You should try not to over wash your hair as it will overproduce natural oils. Another factor is your lifestyle. If you’re working out for example, you may need to wash it more frequently.

How Can I Make My Hair Healthier?

My best advice for making your hair as healthy as it can be us to use a good quality shampoo. Look for one with no sulphates as these can coat your hair. Spending a little more than a high-street or supermarket shampoo can make all the difference. Try to limit heat styling but whenever you do, always use heat protection. Regular trims are also a must for keeping your hair in good condition.

Is It Worth Leaving Conditioner On For Longer Or Even Overnight?

Leaving your conditioner on for longer can it help it to feel soft and silky but for a real boost, look for a targeted hair mask that can penetrate through your hair’s cuticle. There is no real benefit for leaving these on overnight however, as they’ll stop working after a certain amount of time. 20-40 minutes should do the trick. Another top tip is to avoid using too much conditioner near the root of your hair as this can make it flat, limp and potentially greasy.

Is A Cold Water Rinse A Good Idea?

Yes! I’m a big advocate of rinsing your conditioner with cold water since it helps to close the cuticles and really boost shine.

How Is Best To Handle Wet Hair?

Your hair is most stretchy and vulnerable when its wet so be extra gentle. Use a patting method with your towel and avoid harshly rubbing it. I always use a Tangle Teezer to brush through as it doesn’t rip the hair and will glide over any knots.

Why Is My Hair Thinning Or Falling Out?

Hair thinning can be a result of several things such as age, health, stress, your diet and how you’re treating your hair. It can also be hereditary. If you are concerned, I’d recommend speaking to your GP or seeking advice from a trichologist. If you’re hair is thinning, try to limit heat styling and chemical colouring too.

What Can I Do About My Split Ends?

One of the biggest causes of split ends is heat as this dries out and damages your hair’s cuticles. To prevent excessive damage, always always always use a good quality heat protectant product before styling with your hair dryer, straighteners or curlers. These products help to shield your cuticle and make it more resistant to damage. Many tools have a heat control option so turning it to a lower setting will also help. My best advice would be to have regular trims – ideally every six weeks - as the longer you leave split ends, the higher they travel up the cuticle.

How Can I Make My Hair Grow?

Supplementation can help your hair to grow. Look for ones which contain vitamins A, B, C and D as well as zinc. There are plenty of supplements which are specifically aimed at encouraging growth. My favourite is from JSHealth. Several of my clients with hair loss use them and rave about how much they’ve helped.

How Does My Diet Affect The Condition Of My Hair?

Everything starts with your gut health and eating a well-balanced diet can work wonders for helping the condition of your hair. Many health concerns can affect how our hair looks and feels. Fatty foods like fish can help add shine as can drinking plenty of water.

What Ingredients Are Best To Use?

Protein is what our hair is made of so this can be a great addition to your haircare routine. Try to get the balance right thought as too much can leave your hair feeling dry. Look to also use moisturising ingredients to keep strands well hydrated.

And Which Should I Avoid?

Sulphates can coat the hair and strip it of moisture, so I’d suggest steering clear of these. Silicones can also add unwanted weight to your hair and be irritating to some. When it comes to colouring, look for ammonia-free as these are less damaging and won’t cause dryness.