Winter months are known to cause havoc on our hair due to the lack of moisture in the air, so if you have a classic case of winter hair, read on! We turn to senior colourist & stylist Domenico Casella to understand what really happens to our hair during those winter months and why, as well as the best products and treatments available to get your hair back into shape before spring.

So, what causes hair breakage?

There are a multitude of reasons why you may be experiencing breakage over winter months explains Domenico. First and foremost, your hair’s exposure to harsh cold elements such as rain, wind and snow and secondly the constant transition between cold weather and heated indoors. More often than not, this will cause your hair to be stripped from its moisture. Add to that, frequent colouring and the use of heat tools such as curling irons, straighteners or a hairdryer, and it’s easy enough to understand why your hair might be in distress. Not to mention a probably less attentive approach to nutrition, meaning your intake of protein, biotin, zinc of Omega 3 is lower than usual.

The degree of breakage will vary from person to person, with some people experiencing staticky hair, split ends or even hairline breakage.

It is important to note that hairline breakage occurs as the hair around the face tends to be finer than the rest of your hair. This can be caused by excessive bleaching, chemical treatments or repeated wear of high-tension hairstyles.

How to prevent breakage?

Although it may take time to reverse the signs of breakage, there are simple steps that can be taken and included in your haircare routine to prevent breakage from the get go.

This includes:

• Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel and instead dab hair to remove excess water as wet hair is prone to break more easily.
• Use a large paddle brush to untangle your hair after it has been washed and start from the tips working your way up and never the other way around.
• Always apply a heat protector before using any heat appliance. Domenico recommends a lightweight spray heat protector for oily and fine hair, and a creamy / oily textured protector for thicker hair.
• Do not colour your hair at home, always seek professional advice.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Wear a protective hairstyle such as braids or messy buns.
• Swap metallic or ceramic brushes for wooden brushes.
• Regular visits to the salon to your trusted professional, who can recommend an appropriate haircare routine for your specific requirements.

However, if the damage is done fear not! At Neville Hair and Beauty, we have developed an extensive list of treatments designed to tackle pretty much any hair concern and breakage features at the top of our list. But before we dive into the different professional treatments available, it is important to understand growth cycle and how long it is likely to take your hair to recover.

What is the hair growth cycle?

There are 4 stages in your natural hair cycle: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen & Exogen.

• Anagen: Also commonly known as the ‘Active Phase’ refers to the phase when the cells in the root of your hair are dividing the most rapidly and therefore forming new hair. During this phase, your hair grows at an average of 15cm a year. The ‘Active Phase’ generally lasts between 3-5 years but can vary.
• Catagen: Following the Anagen phase your hair will enter a 10-day phase called Catagen. This is a short transitional phase which signals the end of the hair growth. It also cuts the blood flow from the cells which produce new hair.
• Telogen: After the transitional period, your hair will enter the telogen phase, also known as the resting period. This phase lasts approximately 3 months and simply means that during that time your hair will not actively grow.
• Exogen: The last stage in the hair growth cycle is Exogen, and as the name suggests, it refers to the phase where you shed hair.

Once the cycle is complete, the process will start again. It is important to note that each hair follicle has its individual growth cycle, otherwise we’d frequently end up with no hair.

With that in mind, it is likely to take between 4-6 months to completely restore the health of your hair providing you follow your stylist’s advice.

What are the best professional hair treatments for breakage?

What are split ends?

Split ends are essentially when a hair shaft splits in half or frays resulting in the ends of the hair forming a V shape rather than a single strand. This happens when the ends of your hair lack moisture. It's also important to note that the the ends of your hair are the oldest parts and therefore prone to general wear and tear.

As well as this, everyday haircare routines can cause the hair to fray, for example: heated tools, hot weather, excessive brushing and chemical processes. Rest assured however, that split ends are a common occurrence for everyone at some point. Creative Director Jack Merrick-Thirlway adds:"The more dry or brittle the hair, the more likely the hair shaft is to split. Coloured blondes are at higher risk of hair fraying because of the strength of chemicals used in the upkeep."

Is there a way to prevent split ends?

Jack recommends using heat protection and avoiding frequent chemical products. However, if colour is not something you are willing to comprise on, you must ensure you are getting sufficient professional hydrating treatments to counterbalance the effects of chemical treatments. He also advises getting regular hair cuts. "To ensure optimal hair health, you should get a professional haircut every six weeks" adds Jack.

At Neville, we offer a state of the art Thermal scissor System also known as the Hot Scissor cut. By cleverly warming the blades, the natural qualities of the hair are preserved by sealing the ends. Permed, bleached and treated hair can all have a slice of the action and will be transformed into healthy hair. This exclusive cutting tool provides a two-pronged attacked. You not only receive a superb Neville cut but are also safe in the knowledge that your hair will be healed.The Thermal Scissor System can be individually adjusted to every quality and length of hair, producing an immediate optimum result. Split hair will become healthy and more resistant.

Can you conceal split ends?

While there is no way to conceal split ends long term other than with a haircut, Jack does admit there is a short term solution to mask split ends. He advises using L'Oreal Professionnel Serum. "This will help disguise split ends by temporarily closing the shaft but ultimately, once the hair is split, it will continue to split until your next haircut".

Recommended Neville treatments for split ends:

• Thermal Scissor Haircut
• K18
• Fusio Dose
• Breakage solution
• Hair Botox

Jack's tips for at home:

• Lower the heat on your hair tools
• Use heat protection cream before putting any tools on the hair
• Use weekly deep conditioning masks
• Get regular trims ( every six weeks)
• Be gentle when brushing your hair
• Choose hair products that contain gentle ingredients
• Swap your elastic bands for silk hair ties
• Consider sleeping on a silk pillowslip

In summary

Split ends can really affect the appearance of your hair and therefore your moral. So the best remedy is really prevention, as it is not possible to reverse the damage. By adopting a rigorous haircare routine prescribed by your trusted professional you can minimise the appearance of split ends for a happy healthy head of hair.

Delilah Belle for Pheonix Magazine. Hair by Jack Merrick Thirlway