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

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

For many of us, the sole purpose of a vacation is to relax and, when it comes to our beauty habits, take a break from time-consuming routines. When it comes to our hair, that might mean skipping the straightening and styling in favor of slicking it back into a low-maintenance bun for the majority of the trip.

But if you’re over 50, this relaxed approach could seriously damage your middle-aged hair.

As you age, your hair becomes more fragile, and when you add sun, sea and swimming pools to the mix, your hair is likely to suffer. Here, discover the mistakes many of us make when it comes to hair ageing on holiday – and the expert advice on how to repair the damage.

Ditch that tight updo

According to Dr. Marco Nicoloso, hair loss expert and medical director of Ouroynx (www.ouronyx.com), regularly tying your hair up in a tight bun or bun can cause traction alopecia – in other words, severe hair loss that can become permanent.

‘The constant tension of tight updos causes hair strands to break or fall out, and over time, this damages the hair follicles,’ he says. ‘Regularly wearing styles like slicked-back buns can lead to thinning or balding, which can make you look much older, especially around the hairline and temples, where hair becomes more fragile as we age. Once the follicles are damaged, the hair cannot grow back, leading to permanent hair loss.’

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

PROTECT PIGMENT FROM THE SUN

If you’ve invested time and money into perfecting your natural gray or silver shade, sunbathing by the pool can quickly ruin it and damage the cortex of your hair (the core of the hair shaft).

“After the holidays, many of my female clients over 50 report that their hair color has changed,” says Andrea Marino, founder of AMA Hair Atelier in Chelsea (amaconcept.co.uk).

‘The sun naturally lightens your hair because heat causes the cuticle to open, damaging the cortex of the hair and changing the color,’ Andrea explains. ‘In gray hair, this results in a coppery, yellowish pigment.

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

To prevent this, he advises protecting your hair with a sun hat and wearing a swimming cap in the pool.

RINSE AWAY THE SEA SALT

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

“Salt water strips moisture from the hair and scalp,” Dr. Nicoloso explains. “As we age, hair becomes thinner and more prone to breakage. Additionally, salt water can further damage the hair cuticle, leading to split ends, breakage, and frizz.”

Therefore, always rinse your hair with fresh water before swimming in the sea to reduce the amount of salt it absorbs. Rinse it again with fresh water after swimming and wash your hair as soon as possible to remove the salt and prevent further moisture loss.

AVOID EXCESSIVE BRUSHING

If you frequently brush or style your hair out of your face to avoid the heat while on vacation, it can actually stress your hair as you age, since our follicles naturally direct hair toward our faces. “Even if you wear your hair out of your face, styling it as much as possible in the direction your hair naturally grows can help reduce tension and prevent the follicles from weakening, preventing further damage,” says Andrea Marino.

USE A POWDER SCALP SUNSCREEN

Let’s face it, applying regular sunscreen to your scalp isn’t a tempting prospect—think greasy roots and messy locks. But protecting your scalp from harmful UV rays is just as important as the rest of your body. Just make sure you’re using the right formula, as anything too greasy can damage your hair and delicate scalp.

“Try using a sunscreen that is specifically formulated for scalps. These tend to have a balanced pH that is more compatible with the skin on your head and less likely to damage your hair,” Andrea advises. “To avoid oiliness altogether, use powder sunscreens that you can sprinkle along your parting, hairline, and scalp.”

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

BEWARE OF WATER DAMAGE

If you’re over 50, repeatedly wetting your hair and air-drying it multiple times a day while on vacation 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 reformed when it dries,” Dr. Nicoloso explains. “Doing this repeatedly puts stress on these bonds, which weakens the hair structure over time.

‘As you age, your scalp also produces less sebum. Sebum is the natural oil that keeps your hair hydrated, but it can make your hair drier and more brittle.’

The best way to prevent this is to avoid getting your hair wet while swimming, or at least limit the number of times your hair gets wet and dries again.

DON’T GET DEHYDRATED

UV rays can also weaken the hair itself by damaging the hair cuticle and affecting the production of 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,” Dr. Nicoloso explains. “UV rays dry out hair, reducing elasticity and making it more prone to breakage and rough texture.”

Therefore, use a conditioning spray that protects the hair itself from UV damage. Try Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £32. Wear a headscarf or hat in direct sunlight.

RESCUE AFTER HOLIDAY HER

‘Take a break from blow-drying and heat styling your hair after your vacation,’ Andrea advises. ‘Heat styling causes the cuticles to open and close temporarily, breaking down the hydrogen bonds in the hair shaft, which can worsen the damage to your hair. So let your hair dry naturally as much as possible.

“If you have any concerns about the condition or color of your hair after the holidays, consult a professional.” A good place to start is by combining a hydrating hair mask and leave-in conditioner to seal in moisture. If you must heat style, always use a heat protectant spray to create a protective barrier and prevent further dryness and breakage.