The holiday habits you didn't realise are ageing your hair - and how to reverse the damage

Your relaxed holiday routine could be damaging your midlife hair. Top experts reveal the six bad habits to avoid over 50 – and how to reverse the damage.

For many of us the sole purpose of a holiday is to relax and, when it comes to our beauty habits, hit pause on time-consuming routines. With regards to our hair, that might mean ditching straightening and styling in favour of scraping it back into a low-maintenance bun for the majority of the trip.

But if you’re over 50, this laidback approach could be seriously damaging your mid-life hair.

As you age, hair becomes more fragile and adding sun, sea and swimming pools into the mix means your hair is likely to suffer. Here, discover the ageing hair mistakes many of us are making on holiday – and the expert advice on how to reverse the damage.

DITCH THE TIGHT UP-DO

Avoid the temptation to wear a tight bun as it can lead to thinning, which is very ageing

According to Dr Marco Nicoloso, hair loss expert and Medical Director of Ouroynx (www.ouronyx.com) , regularly tying your hair back in a tight top-knot or bun can cause traction alopecia – in other words, serious hair loss that can become permanent.

‘Continuous tension from tight updos causes hair strands to break or fall out, and over time, this damages the hair follicles,’ he says, ‘Regularly wearing hairstyles like slicked-back buns can lead to thinning or bald patches which can make you look much older, particularly around the hairline and temples where the hair’s more fragile as we age. Once the follicles are damaged, hair can’t grow back, leading to permanent hair loss.’

He recommends styling hair in a low, loose ponytail or plait to minimise tension. Investing in silk hair scrunchies, which are much gentler on your hair than traditional elastic hair ties, is a safe bet, too. Try Silk Slip scrunchies, from £12 for two (slipsilkpillowcase.co.uk).

PROTECT PIGMENT FROM THE SUN

Give your hair chance to recover from sun exposure by wearing a hat to protect it

If you’ve invested time and money into perfecting your naturally greying or silver hue, sunbathing by the pool can quickly wreck it and cause damage to your hair’s cortex (the core of the hair shaft).

‘Post-holiday, many of my female clients who are over 50 report changes to their hair colour,’ says Andrea Marino, founder of AMA Hair Atelier in Chelsea (amaconcept.co.uk).

‘The sun naturally lightens your hair because heat causes the cuticles to open, damaging the cortex of hair and altering the colour,’ explains Andrea. ‘In grey hair, this results in a brassy, yellow-toned pigment.

‘It’s not just the sun that has this effect,’ he adds. ‘Chlorine from swimming pools is a chemical oxidant that can turn grey hair yellow and turn blonde hair greenish.’ This change can be a sign of damage.

To avoid this he recommends protecting your hair with a sun hat and wearing a swimming cap in the pool.

RINSE AWAY SEA SALT

Always rinse your hair in fresh water before sea swimming so it won't absorb as much salt

If your hair starts to feel like straw after a few dips in the sea, you’re not alone. Regular exposure to saltwater can dehydrate your hair and scalp, leaving your hair dry, brittle, and frizzy.

‘Saltwater draws moisture out of the hair and scalp,’ explains Dr Nicoloso, ‘as we age, hair tends to become thinner and more prone to breakage – and saltwater can further damage the hair cuticle, leading to split ends, breakage, and frizz.’

So always rinse your hair in fresh water before sea swimming to reduce the amount of salt it absorbs. Post-swim, rinse it again in fresh water and wash your hair as soon as possible to remove the salt and prevent further moisture loss.

AVOID EXCESSIVE BRUSHING

Too much harsh brushing can cause havoc with your follicles, so try to go gently

If you often brush or style your hair away from your face to beat the heat on holiday, this can actually be a stressor to mid-life hair, because our hair follicles naturally direct hair towards our faces. ‘Even if you wear your hair off your face, following the direction your hair naturally grows as much as possible when styling allows you to reduce tension and avoid weakening the follicles to prevent further damage,’ says Andrea Marino.

USE A POWDER SCALP SUNSCREEN

Powder sunscreen is a great way to protect your scalp without the greasy mess of a cream

Let’s face it, applying regular sun cream to your scalp isn’t a tempting prospect – think greasy roots and straggly tresses. But it’s just as vital to protect your scalp from damaging UV rays as the rest of your body. Just make sure you get the right formula, as anything too greasy could actually cause damage to your hair and delicate scalp.

‘Try using a sunscreen that’s especially formulated for scalps – these tend to have balanced pH levels which are better suited to the skin on your head and are less likely to damage your hair,’ advises Andrea. ‘To avoid greasiness altogether, try powder sunscreens you can dust along your parting, hairline and over your scalp.’

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Supergoop SPF 30 mineral powder is a good option (£28, sephora.co.uk).

BEWARE WATER DAMAGE

Hair can become dry and brittle if you let it get wet and then dry it too much

If you’re over 50, repeatedly getting your hair wet and letting it dry several times a day on holiday can make it more prone to breakage and thinning. ‘This is because the hydrogen bonds in your hair are temporarily broken when your hair gets wet and then they reform again when it dries,’ explains Dr Nicoloso. ‘Repeatedly doing this puts stress on these bonds, weakening the hair structure over time.

‘As you age the scalp produces less sebum too – this is the natural oil that keeps hair moisturised, so hair can become drier and more brittle.’

Avoiding getting your hair wet when you swim, or at least minimising how many times your hair gets wet then dries again, is your best bet to prevent this.

DON’T GET DEHYDRATED

A nourishing spray can stop your hair becoming dehydrated in sunny conditions

UV rays can weaken the hair itself too, damaging the cuticle and compromising keratin, an essential protein that keeps hair strong and soft.

‘As women age, the keratin in their hair becomes less resilient, making it more susceptible to sun-damage and breakage,’ explains Dr Nicoloso. ‘UV rays dry out hair, reducing its elasticity and leading to increased breakage and a rough texture.’

So use a nourishing spray that’s designed to protect the hair itself from UV damage – try Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £32 – and wear a headscarf or hat in direct sunlight.

RESCUE POST-HOLIDAY HAIR

Ditch the heat styling when you first get home and try a moisturising hair  mask

‘Take a break from blowdrying and heat styling your hair after your holiday,’ advises Andrea. ‘Heat styling temporarily opens and closes cuticles and breaks down the hydrogen bonds in the hair shaft, which can exacerbate hair damage, so let your hair dry naturally where possible.

‘If you’re concerned about the condition or colour of your hair post-holiday, consult a professional.’ A good place to start is combining a moisturising hair mask and leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture. If you have to heat-style, always use a heat protection spray to create a protective barrier and prevent further dehydration and breakage.