Although we might think our faces and hands are the first places to show the tell-tale signs of ageing, our hair can actually be even more telling. Beyond going grey, thinning hair or lacklustre locks can all play a part in making us look 10 years older.
However, there’s good news – and it doesn’t involve an expensive hairdressing bill. There are now a slew of scientific products on the market that can restore your hair to its best condition and may even make it grow longer and stronger than ever before.
1. 3More Inches Pre Wash Treatment, $52, mecca.com.au
2. Richard Ward Anti-Ageing Argan Elixir, $19.95, priceline.com.au
3. Kevin Murphy Young.Again.Masque, $49.95, kevinmurphy.com.au
1. Top treatment
This pre-wash treatment from 3More Inches is designed to slow the ageing process so that your hair can grow longer, with less breakage. A blend of nourishing amino acids and cashmere proteins rebuilds the hair shaft to make hair softer. Apply liberally to your dry hair before washing, leave for an hour and rinse with your normal shampoo and conditioner.
2. Super serum
Richard Ward might be known for his work with the Duchess of Cambridge, but the celebrity stylist’s hair care line is just as notable. The Anti-Ageing Argan Elixir contains nucleo trico-hyal, a form of hyaluronic acid, to stimulate hair growth and improve follicle activity. This serum also contains argan oil to smooth and condition the hair, perfect for humid days when you have a lot of frizz.
3. Miracle mask
The combination of 20 amino acids, quinoa and rice proteins, and baobab seed oils gives this mask from Kevin Murphy the right ingredients to fight brittle hair. This formula smooths strands while also repairing damage caused by colouring and heat styling. Use instead of your regular conditioner for an quick fix, or apply after the shower and leave in for as long as possible (even overnight) for an intensive treatment.
4. Aveda Invati Scalp Revitalizer, $89.95, aveda.com.au
5. Viviscal Maximum Strength Dietary Hair Growth Supplements, $69.95, viviscal.com.au
6. HIF Hair Is Fabric Anti-Aging Support, $55, deciem.com
4. Scalp saviour
Your scalp health can impact how the rest of your hair looks and feels. A healthy scalp is free of flakes and is not itchy or irritated. This natural formula contains Densiplex complex which helps energise and rehabilitate the scalp around the hair follicles, promoting hair growth and volume. Massage this vitamin E infused lotion through towel-dried hair for a happy head.
5. Super supplements
Viviscal supplements are the celebrity secret to longer and stronger hair. “When I am working on a movie, they blow-dry and curl my hair quite a bit. I take these supplements to keep it healthy,” said actress Reese Witherspoon. Viviscal contains essential vitamins and minerals to boost hair growth, while also strengthening the hair follicle. An added bonus is the marine-extract based formula also works on your nails, making them less prone to breaking.
6. Clever cleansing
A 2-in1 shampoo and conditioner feels like a relic from the ’90s, but new technology has made cleansing conditioners (as they are now known) hot property in hair care. This one is specifically formulated with Ayurvedic Indian kino tree bark to protect the hair from the base of the hair follicle, restoring your hair cycle to its best condition. It fights against pollution and environmental aggressors, while being the ultimate time-saver in the shower.
