Patricia Buckland
Kent
"I remember being out with my mother when I was in my..."
Watch Dr Nigel Hunt talk about 'The Viviscal Report: The Hidden Impact of Hair Loss'
Hair Loss Awareness Month, in association with Viviscal
Hair Loss Awareness Month (May 2012) is the national health campaign sponsored by Viviscal. With hair loss now affecting 41% of the population it is crucial that those experiencing hair loss and thinning are aware of the help and support available.* Hair Loss Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of the problem, and provide sufferers with useful information and expert advice.
2012 Hair Loss Awareness Month will provide hair loss tips and advice and comments from trichologist Trisha Buller & Health Psychologist Dr Victoria Senior from the University of Surrey.
*According to a survey by Viviscal natural hair loss supplements, 2012
Victoria Senior, Health Psychologist and Lecturer
Victoria Senior is a Health Psychologist and lecturer at the University of Surrey. Her special areas of interest are how people make sense of a threat to their health and how these lay understandings of illness influence the actions that people take to manage or avoid an illness. Victoria notes: "Understanding that hair loss may be both preventable and controllable may help encourage people to seek advice and treatment from experts and also result in lower levels of psychological problems by giving people hope for the future."
Trisha Buller, Trichologist
Trisha Buller is an expert trichologist and a salon director at Ciente Clinic. She has years of experience advising clients on all issues surrounding hair loss and has a special interest in the subject having suffered from it herself.
Throughout Hair Loss Awareness Month 20112, Trisha Buller will be available to answer 10 questions related to the topic of hair loss from those submitted. Please fill in the form below:
Trisha Buller has also provided some general health tips and advice to help with issues related to hair loss and thinning hair below:
1. Hair cuts
First and foremost, the secret to long, thick, healthy hair is strong hair. Get any split ends you may have trimmed off. No matter what a product claims, nothing will repair split ends except a trim. If split ends are left uncut they will continue to split up the shaft and damage more of your hair. Get rid of them to keep the damage to a minimum.
2. Clarify Shampoo- product build up
It is then important to look at the washing process of your hair. Product build up can make your hair look dull and lifeless. It is important to get rid of product build up once a month by using a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos strip out the junk and make your hair shine brilliantly.
3. Don’t over wash
Don’t over wash your hair- you should only was your hair 2-3 times a week. Over washing takes away the natural oil and nutrients from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle.
4. Shampoo ingredients
Know your shampoo; go for a shampoo that cleanses the scalp and offers strengthening and protection for hair.
5. How best to shampoo/condition
Conditioner is essential- many people chose to go without conditioner as their hair gets thinner or weaker as it can make it go flat. Shampoos are often potent soaps so will take away the natural oils and leave it looking dry, dull and brittle- it needs conditioner! Make sure you only shampoo at the roots and then only use the conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends.
6. Cold rinse
As awful as it sounds, if you use cooler water to wash and rinse your hair it closes up the hair cuticles, locking in moisture which creates amazing shine and softness.
7. At home condition treatments
Your nutrition is essential in making your hair look young and vibrant. Eating plenty of protein (milk, fish, nuts, eggs) and top up in essential fatty acids (from olive oil, walnuts) Hair is a type of protein so poor nutrition can lead to weakening of the hair so you need these proteins to fuel healthy cell regeneration. Supplementation can also help with conditioning your hair. Choose a supplement designed for hair health and growth for the best results.
8. More at home condition treatments
Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply to wet hair. Avocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals that will help restore luster to your hair. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times
9. Dry naturally- no heat
It is best to let your hair dry naturally; but if you need to use heat on it make sure you use a heat protection spray which you spray on the hair while it is still wet and then blow dry, this will also protect hair from curlers/straighteners etc. By not using protector products on your hair it’s like putting an iron straight onto your skin! The temperatures reach up to 200°+ in a matter of seconds.
10. Body- dry hair upside down?
Body is essential to make the hair look thick and glamorous. As you style your hair daily your hair strands become thinner so each hair takes up less space. It is therefore essential to get to the root of this problem and give your hair the va-va voom it needs. Certain products can be used such as root boosters, but alternatively blow drying your hair with a brush or tipping your head upside down while blow-drying can give your hair an amazing boost.
11. Sun protection
Similar to skin care- it important to protect your hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When you expose your hair to the sun it sucks even the healthiest hair's moisture out and makes it look dull. There are many products out there that contain sunscreen and SPF, so before any sun exposure ensure your hair is drowned in UV rays. Alternatively, wear a hat to cover your hair or even a cap or a scarf is a good idea. If covering your hair isn't your style, try tying it up in a knot, bun or braid, while out in the sun.
Kyran Bracken, Former Rugby Captain and winner of Dancing on Ice
Former England Rugby Captain and winner of Dancing on Ice 2007 speaks openly about his hair loss and the help he has sought: “Nobody likes to see themselves on TV. I was in front of 10 or 12 million people nationally on Dancing on Ice and all I could see were my bald patches which I hated. I was and am paranoid about looking bald and I have found products that have helped me to feel more confident. I think hair loss is the biggest hurdle most men have – single or not single. But it’s also something that affects many women and in lots of ways it’s much worse for females. Finding something that could help with my hair thinning was one of the best things I have ever discovered. I would encourage people that are suffering to seek help and advice as there is something you can do about it.”
