What's stressing your tresses?

Short Story
Just because you're getting married doesn't mean you have to grow your hair. If you're opting for a shoulder-length or shorter ‘do then the well-defined silhouette will instantly give you a sophisticated style. The secret is to invest in regular trims to maintain a sleek shape. Book in every four weeks for a trim and be sure to keep your hair looking great with shine-boosting shampoos and glossing treatments.

Hero Product: Daniel Galvin Clear Gloss, from £12 (020 7486 8601) leaves your hair with a lightweight, non-sticky high shine topcoat. Apply it to wet hair, post shampooing, but pre-conditioning for best results.

Fall Out
If you suffer from dandruff it can take a month to clear up the problem so tackle it early. Triggered by stress, and poor diet, be sure to take a Vitamin B12 supplement and avoid salty, sugary and fatty foods. Contrary to popular belief, this condition isn't caused by a dehydrated scalp but by accelerated skin shedding. To guarantee you are flake-free on your big day start using a shampoo rich in salicylic acid or for a DIY treatment, trichologists recommend mixing equal quantities of mouthwash with witch hazel and using it as a hair rinse.

Hero Product: Phillip Kingsley Scalp Tonic, £4.75 (www.phillipkingsley.com) neutralises oil, protects sensitised scalps and provides root lift and volume.

Oil Slick
Tackle greasy roots and overly oily hair by making a few simple changes to your regime. Start by shampooing your hair in tepid water and avoid over-stimulating your scalp - heat and massage will both trigger oil production. Combine these simple tips with a clarifying shampoo, limit conditioner to the ends only and in just three weeks you should see a noticeable improvement in your scalp's condition.

Hero Product: Joico Lavei, £7.50 (www.hqhair.com) helps regulate the scalps over-active sebaceous glands without dehydrating your mid-lengths and ends.

Split Decision
While there's no magic remedy for split ends, certain products can give the illusion of a smoother hair shaft by applying a sealing silicone film to the ends. Prevention being better than a short-term cure, get into good habits and have your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep your style frizz free and in great condition. Equally take care when brushing, that whole 100 strokes a day myth is far from beneficial. Brush as and when it's needed to avoid unnecessary snagging, breaking and snapping.

Hero Product: Kerastase Ciment Anti-Usure , £12.50 (0800 316 4400) helps strengthen hair from the inside out, temporarily sealing split ends between shampoos.

Wash & Go 
According to hair folklore, washing hair too often can lead to all manner of scalp and tress concerns, resulting in everything from excessive dryness to excessive oiliness. This is nonsense  - cleansing your hair with shampoo will neither dry up nor stimulate oil production. As a guide, aim to wash your hair every two to three days, this will help maintain moisture levels and keep hair naturally clean and free of dulling deposits. Obsessing about your hair's cleanliness and washing every day will have little benefit and if you use styling agents as a matter of course, the regular over-use of sprays and serums can weigh hair down leaving it limp and lifeless.

Hero Product: If you're breaking your daily shampooing habit, ease the cold-turkey process by spritzing on Batiste Dry Shampoo, £1.99. This powdery spray gives less-than-fresh locks a new lease of life.

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