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Is this the secret to thicker, glossier hair?

According to trichologist Lisa Gilbey, the answer may be doing less, not more 

Source/ Pinterest

If your wedding is approaching, it can be tempting to start throwing everything at your hair: supplements, treatments, masks and scalp serums. Suddenly, the hair you’ve somewhat happily lived with for years needs to be longer, thicker, shinier and somehow transformed before the big day. 

But before you overhaul your bathroom cabinet, trichologist Lisa Gilbey has some reassuring advice. When it comes to improving your hair condition, more isn’t necessarily better. For healthier-looking hair, she argues, it’s often the simpler fundamentals that make the biggest difference. 

 

From what to put on your plate to the salon decisions she wouldn’t leave until the last minute, here are her five rules - plus how to put them into practice. 

What should you eat for healthier hair?

Rather than immediately reaching for a hair supplement, start with your everyday meals. “When considering the foundations of what makes hair grow, it starts with a good diet,” says Gilbey. “In the body, your hair is last in the food chain, so if there aren’t enough calories or nutrients to go around, your best hair won’t grow.

“I always say to prioritise protein, good fats (like avocado and salmon), low-GI carbs and eat plenty of fibre for great gut health like wholegrains and sweet potato. Things like sugar and processed foods drive inflammation, which may in turn affect scalp health and certain scalp conditions, so try to keep these in moderation where you can. The book Fuelled Fibre by Dr Will Bulsiewicz is a great guide to gut health and fibre that I’d recommend.”

Does scalp health affect hair growth?

Don’t neglect your scalp while focusing on your lengths. “You need to think of your scalp as an extension of your face - you wash and care for that regularly, and the scalp should be looked after in the same way,” says Gilbey. “A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair.”

"A scalp massage brush can be useful for helping loosen product build-up while shampooing. I like the Denman scalp brush as it’s gentle on the hair. If you’re experiencing persistent itching, flaking or irritation, get it checked by a pharmacist or your GP rather than just adding another product."

Is hair oiling good for the scalp?

Love a hair oil? You don’t necessarily need to give it up, but it’s worth having a clear strategy. “Doing too much is one of the biggest mistakes I see - if you're oiling the scalp, that can often hinder growth,” says Gilbey. 

“On some skin types, oil can have a comedogenic effect, which means it blocks the hair follicles. If you're not washing regularly enough or live in a city with lots of pollution, oil will trap the grime, which will drive inflammation and can have a detrimental impact on hair growth. A little bit of oil before you wash your hair is fine, but you should never leave it on the scalp - only ever on the ends.” 

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Avoid any drastic cutting or dyeing too close to the wedding day. Source_ Pinterest

How damaging is heat styling?

If your goal is long, glossy wedding-day hair, preventing breakage is just as important as obsessing over how quickly your roots are growing. “Avoid using hot appliances too much because this can really dehydrate the hair, particularly if it’s coloured,” says Gilbey. “Some straightening irons can go up to 200°C - that is very, very hot and can cause a lot of damage, so reducing use of these will really help minimise breakage. The Dyson hairdryer is my recommendation all the way, it uses a different technology that is much kinder on the hair.”


Turn your tools down rather than using the maximum setting by default, always use a heat protection spray and avoid repeatedly passing straighteners over the same section - even better, give heatless styling a go in the months before the big day. 

When should I book in for my colour?

If you’re considering a hair reinvention ahead of your wedding day, discuss the end goal with your hairdresser well in advance so you can plan backwards. “Don't have a drastic cut or colour too close to the day itself,” says Gilbey. “And bear in mind that if you're going to change the colour, it will dehydrate your hair, which can leave hair drier and more prone to breakage.”

And when it comes to trims, be mindful. “I’d avoid cutting too much off thinking it will grow back quickly because I see it all the time - hair simply doesn’t grow back as quickly as we’d like it to.”
 

 

Book a consultation with Lisa at her private clinic here

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