Dare you detox your locks?

If you are a wash-your-hair-every-day kind of girl, you’ll probably be shocked to hear that Audrey Hepburn only shampooed her locks once a week, Jessica Simpson only a few times a month, and Robert Pattinson rarely bothers at all. And while this may conjure up gross visions of limp, greasy, smelly hair, the opposite is usually true – after an adjustment period where the scalp oil regulates, hair is not only softer, thicker and shinier, but is unbelievably voluminous too.

If you’re still not convinced and think there’s no substance to the research, let us introduce the no-poo movement (standing for ‘no shampoo’, thankfully); a method that beauty aficionados and environmentalists across the globe are embracing in their droves.

So why bother banishing shampoo from our routine? The theory is that shampoo strips the hair of its natural oils, which prompts the scalp to generate more oils to replace them. This results in greasy hair, which we then attempt to fix with more shampoo. It’s a vicious circle and works excellently for the shampoo industry, because the more shampoo you use, the more frequently you need to use it.

‘Using a bristle brush will also help to stimulate the scalp and distribute sebum all the way down the hair shaft to keep it clean,’ she says.

Brace yourself for a few difficult weeks after. ‘I’ve heard of it taking up to three months for particularly difficult hair types to adjust,’ Lucy says. ‘Just keep your eye on the prize of healthy, glossy, lustrous hair with zero effort.’

Shampoo fans can cling on to their bottles for dear life, as thankfully the answer is yes – and it’s about committing to a detox that mercifully doesn’t involve dropping a couple of dress sizes this January.

This detox is all about our hair – and it can be done by various methods, from shampoos that strip away the build-up, to treatment masques, scalp scrubs, and even professional salon treatments that promise quick and effective results.

Why bother? Top UK stylist Stephanie Stevenson (www.salonconfidential.co.uk) explains. ‘Detoxing our hair is about removing the chemicals, not the dirt. That glossy finish we get when using styling products is due to synthetic materials that cling to the hair shaft.

‘Dimethicone is the most commonly used chemical, found in 90 per cent of hair products. Check the back of your bottles and there it is! That magic name that gives us our shine,’ Stephanie says. Dimethicone coats hair, conditioning and providing great shine. However, because it’s so water insoluble, the chemical is difficult to remove. The heavy coating is also more likely to attract dirt and pollutants from the air, making the hair feel weighed down and greasy.

So has the Dh50 treatment been popular since its launch last month? ‘It’s been a big hit,’ says Ruksher. ‘Clients can either add the treatment on to services at the salon or try the at-home version. After the treatment, we’re seeing some impressive results, with the texture of hair dramatically improved and much shinier.’

At home, shampoo can also be effective when we want to detox. Look for the words ‘clarifying’ or ‘revitalising’ on the packaging.

‘Just like the pores on your face, hair follicles on your scalp can become clogged with dirt, oil, and product build-up. Scalp treatments and scrubs can help to remove the build-up, bringing health back to your scalp and restoring your hair’s gloss and shine.’

We have to be honest; trying a new treatment or giving our scalp a detox seems a lot easier than living with unwashed hair for months on end – but if you’re braver than us, the results do seem to speak for themselves.

Either way, it’s the perfect time to banish the build-up and enjoy lighter, brighter hair in 2016 – and we’re relieved there isn’t a juice diet in sight.