It's not enough to just have a snazzy hairdo or your colour regularly touched up - if your hair isn't healthy, it's bound to cause a big dent in your fabulous factor. The problem is, most of us struggle with hair issues that just refuse to go away. If you're tired of trying everything but still struggling with lack-lustre hair, don't worry, a healthy, shiny mane is just an expert tip away.
Problem: Split ends
Joseph Ong, senior stylist at Toni & Guy, says that split ends occur when hair is damaged or excessively dry, causing the outer, protective cuticle to break away, revealing separated layers within the strand. Too much heat styling is one of the main causes of split ends because the high temperatures cause the hair to dry out.
Solution: "There's no treatment for split ends, so the best way to deal with them is to cut them off to avoid them from spreading up the shaft of the hair and becoming longer. It's always best to get them while they're still fresh and small," says Joseph.
Always condition your hair to keep it as nourished as possible. Also, try and avoid heat styling whenever you can and opt instead for air-drying. But if you really can't live without your daily blow-dry and straightening iron, make sure you protect your hair first with a good heat protection product and then use the appliance on a medium setting to minimise the damage.
Problem: Dandruff
One of the most common and irritating hair problems that people face is dandruff. This excessive flaking of the scalp doesn't just cause embarrassment - white snowflakes on the shoulders of your favourite LBD - but it can also cause your skin to break out. Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary (www.rashichowdhary.com) says the root of the problem is stress-related, "Getting stressed constantly over trivial issues often leads to a hormone imbalance, which is a leading cause of dandruff," Rashi says.
Solution: Dr Rene Rust, senior scientist at Head & Shoulders, says, "If you have scaliness, wash your hair every day and compliment the shampoo with a conditioner to make your hair look beautiful."
As an alternative, try this natural therapy: massage lemon juice into your scalp after your regular shampoo routine then rinse.
Problem: Lifeless hair
Does it seem that no matter what you do, your hair never quite has that salon-fresh bounce to it? You may wash and condition it every day, brush it religiously and have it cut regularly to keep it healthy, but no matter how hard you try, your hair hangs limply down your neck. You might have the sharpest of outfits and the most glamourous make-up, but with dull hair your look will just fall flat on its face. That may be because you're over doing it - you know what they say about too much of a good thing! Over-caring can actually be bad for your tresses, especially if you're using heavy conditioners and treatments, which can weigh your hair down.
Solution: You might want to try cutting back on your daily wash and conditioning routine and try celebrity stylist and Pantene Ambassador, Sam McKnight's fail-proof tip for getting A-list polish and volumised hair.
"Take a small drop of regular conditioner and spread it lightly in your hair, running your fingers through it. Apply the conditioner and then pin or tie your hair up in a loose bun. By the time you've done your make-up, the conditioner will have soaked into your hair so you can just untie it and go - a great way to revitalise locks that lack fullness!" he says.
Problem: Damaged hair
You may think you've earned brownie points by smothering your skin in SPF at the beach, but are you guilty of forgetting about your hair? Thought so. The sun can have damaging effects on your locks, but most of us don't even think twice about it.
Solution: To reverse the sun's effect on your hair, Natalie O'Sullivan, creative director at Pastels Salon (04-394 7393/5) has the perfect damage un-doing duo. "Try Kera-Hammam Express treatment (from Dh120), which promises to soften even the most stubborn straw-like hair in just 20 minutes. You could also try the L'Oreal Mythic Oil blow-dry (Dh125). The treatment uses a lightweight oil enriched with a special blend of avocado and grape seed oil, which is suitable for all hair types, and promises to restore a healthy shine to even the most damaged hair," she says. Rashi adds that taking a daily dose of dietary sulphur from an egg is a good way of protecting and preventing further damage to hair.
Dry and brittle hair is never a good look, so next time you head to the beach, throw your locks into a bun and put on a hat.
Problem: Grey hair
If only we could wish away those ageing hairs. No matter how hard you try, those pesky greys aren't going anywhere and plucking them just causes them to grow back thicker, making them even more prominent. There are a number of reasons why grey hair can occur prematurely; it could be due to stress or that you use too many chemical styling products. It could even be a sign of vitamin deficiency or it could be that you are genetically predisposed to grey hair.
Solution: It's time to put down the tweezers and take Nicole's advice. She recommends opting for highlights or low lights so the grey can blend through naturally.
If you don't have too much grey hair, Nicole suggests using a light semi-permanent colour, but if you have a lot, try the INOA Ammonia-free L'Oreal colour treatment available at leading salons. It's an oil-based colour that nourishes your hair. Be warned that if you have oily tresses, the colour treatment can make it even more prone to grease, so you may need to wash it more often.
Problem: Oily hair
Either you're facing a product-overload or your hair has a natural tendency to produce excess oil. According to Joseph, an oily scalp is generally caused by an excess of sebum that is produced by the oil glands on your head.
Solution: For those that are prone to producing more sebum than others, Joseph recommends frequent washing. Try and use natural products that won't dry the scalp. In addition to washing your hair more frequently, Rashi believes oily hair can be improved by staying hydrated. "Constant exposure of body cells to unhealthy fats like the trans and saturated fats found in packaged foods that contain hydrogenated oil causes you to develop an oily scalp, which in turn may lead to dandruff," she says. "To see a quick improvement in symptoms, the best and easiest way is to keep yourself hydrated all day by drinking at least two to three litres of water."
Problem: Frizzy hair
Frazzled by frizz? Especially with the local humid weather conditions, frizzy hair is something we all battle with. Steve Shiel, scientific director of P&G Beauty & Grooming, says humidity is a torture test for styling. "If hair is in poor condition and is very porous when the air is humid, moisture from the air can very easily go into the hair fibre causing flatness and frizz. When hair is in good condition it is harder for moisture to go from the air into your hair," he says.
Solution: Joseph says that frizzy hair is best treated with lots and lots of moisture. "Only use the most intense treatments and conditioners on this hair type. Thicker and frizzier hair types can even get away with using a heavy product such as a mask each and every time they wash their hair. Serums and anti-humidity sprays are also ideal for frizzy hair." Try the new Frederic Fekkai anti-frizz serum (Dh110 at Sephora), which will defy even the most humid of Dubai summer days, to keep your hair smooth and shiny.
