Thicker hair in seconds: Elsa McAlonan advises on how to avoid flyaways and keep hair healthy and strong

  • Julie, 50, from London, has noticed her hair becoming thinner with age
  • Elsa advises on how to keep hair healthy and thick
  • She offers up her unsung heroes and bargain beauty buys of the week

I have noticed my hair has been getting thinner - it has lots of flyaways and is hard to style. Are there any products that could help?

Julie, 50, London.

One in three of us suffers thinning hair because as we get older our hair growth slows and the texture becomes coarser.

Using the right products is of paramount importance in keeping hair healthy and thick.

Using the right products is very important when trying to make hair thicker and stronger

Using the right products is very important when trying to make hair thicker and stronger

I have been hugely impressed with the results from the Swell range - a three-step regime that includes Swell Advanced Volumising Shampoo, Conditioner and the Advanced Root Nutrient Complex (from £26, Boots).

These contain 18 active botanicals, including Swiss apple, which possesses anti-ageing qualities.

The hero product is the Root Nutrient Complex, which can be used straight after and in between washes. Massage it into the roots and you will see reduced shedding within 28 days and new hair growth within three months.

Our reader, Julie, 50, was delighted with her fuller, thicker hair after using the range. Stylist Andrew Bidwell believes thinning hair can be helped by washing your hair in a particular way. He says start at the back at the nape of the neck and work your way up to the scalp, towards the parting.

'Apply conditioner only to the ends and mid-lengths, but avoid massaging it into the roots.' he says. James Galvin, a Kerastase ambassador at Daniel Galvin Salons, says stress levels can affect hair loss.

'Having your hair coloured is also damaging. Though they won't make it thinner at the roots, highlights or bleach can be too much for the length of the hair, causing breakages and making hair feel thinner.

Elsa says this Pantene collection is well priced and claims to make hair look up to ten years younger

Elsa says this Pantene collection is well priced and claims to make hair look up to ten years younger

'And be gentle when you style with heated tools.'

Treatment masks are useful. Try award-winning hairdresser Lee Stafford's Fix It Treatment (£11.49, Boots) weekly as a deep conditioner.

Trimming your hair every four to six weeks keeps split ends to a minimum.

The Nexxus Youth Renewal range contains elastin proteins that restore the hair's protein levels and mend broken hair bonds. It includes a shampoo, conditioner, masque and elixir (from £14, Selfridges).

Pantene's Expert Age Defy collection is well-priced and claims to help hair look up to ten years younger with a unique formulation created to thicken existing individual hairs (from £5.99, Boots).

The Kerastase Densifique range helps to awaken dormant follicles, to add more volume. The star product is Densifique Serum Jeunesse (£49, lookfantastic.com).

Keeping the scalp healthy can also help to stimulate hair growth. Ojon Damage Reverse Thickening Restorative Scalp Treatment (£25, Boots) is rich in oils and vitamins. Or try Trevor Sorbie Rejuvenate Scalp Serum (£9.99, Boots), which uses collagen.

The way you dry your hair also affects the amount of volume. Try a helpful styling drier such as Babyliss Big Hair Spinning Brush (£44.99, Boots).

Finally, supplements can help boost your hair's health. For thinning hair, Viviscal (£49.95 for one month, Holland & Barrett) is packed with proteins and vitamins.

 

UNSUNG HERO

A shower gel that helps to stimulate the mind can make all the difference to the start of your day. Kneipp Body Wash’s Enjoy Life scent is packed with essential oils to make you feel wide awake, while Cheerful Mind has a mix of passionfruit and grapefruit oils to help you feel energised and more positive (£4.45, graftonsbeauty.co.uk). 

 

 

BARGAIN BUY

The secret of a good foundation is one that blends easily and matches your skin tone. The new Rimmel Match Perfect Foundation (£7.99, Boots) comes in 12 shades, and is lightweight enough to look natural, while also providing great coverage.

 

ELSA'S PICK

Avon has launched three anti-ageing cleansers - and at £6.50 (avonshop.co.uk) they are a bargain. ANew Anti-Ageing 3-in-1 Cleansing Water is for combination skin with acne. ANew Purifying Gel Cleanser prevents shine in oily or combination skin. Comforting Cream Cleanser and Mask hydrates and soothes dry, normal and sensitive skins.

 

TREATS TO MAKE YOUR MONDAY MARVELLOUS

Merumaya Beauty Oil (£26, John Lewis)

Beauty oils have become must-haves in our skincare regimes, but find one that’s not greasy and feels light on the skin.

Merumaya skincare has launched a multi-tasking product that contains a cocktail of youth-enhancing oils, is packed with vitamins and suitable for the face, body, scalp, cuticles and lashes. Apply a few drops straight from the bottle or mix with moisturiser.

 Nail polish looks best when your nails are in tip top condition. Autograph’s Nail Therapy collection provides three products to tackle problems. Triple 5 Nail Treatment (£6.50, marksandspencer.com) is a multi-tasking base coat and treatment to make nails look brighter and healthier. Cuticle serum (£6.50) will help to soften, and Express Dry Drops Top Coat (£6.50) will speed up your manicure.

  

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