7 steps to healthier hair

1 Frazzled highlights?

Lightener or bleach, if applied in the wrong way, can break the bonds in the hair shaft. Sometimes if your hair is very damaged the only solution is to cut it off. But the latest strand healers can actually fix the bonds in your hair by working from the inside out, saving you from needing the chop. Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Building Styling Creme, £28.50, aveda.co.uk, is pricey, but it works both inside and outside to repair damaged bonds and seal each strand from future damage.

2 Grey gone wiry?

Hair loses its colour pigments as we age, but your scalp also stops producing as many natural oils, so those silver strands can start to feel extra dry and coarse. Always use hydrating and smoothing products: Charles Worthington Colourplex Glowing Grey Shampoo and Smoothing Grey Conditioner, £8.99, Boots, not only neutralise brassy pigments in grey hair, they also work to smooth and hydrate wiry grey locks.

3 Look after your scalp

Forget the old wives’ tale that the less you wash your hair, the better it will look. It’s not true! A healthy scalp needs to be clean, so don’t be afraid to shampoo every other day, if possible. Try Ogx Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo, £7.99, Boots, which boosts the health of both the scalp and hair.

4 Turn the heat down

There’s nothing better than a bouncy blow-dry or that sleek effect the straighteners give. But heat-styling causes moisture loss, which can lead to dryness, brittleness and breakage. Always use no more than a medium heat setting and replace lost moisture with a hydrating treatment mask once or twice a week. John Frieda Deep Sea Hydration Moisturising Hair Mask