Restore moisture to dry, brittle hair

Hair: Michelle Lawley at Royston Blythe
Photography: David Goldman

Dear Hair Doctor,

I wonder if there is some medication that I could take to help my hair breakage.

My hair is black but dry and brittle, and breaks a lot due to extensive colouring. I have loads of premature grey hair and I keep colouring my roots. I have used Kérastase Masquintense for a long time but to no effect.

Could you recommend a medication for this problem please? I am sick of broken hair!

Many thanks,

Mahi Clark

Dear Mahi,

No medication will ever stop your hair from breaking due to chemical and heat damage.

Best advice would be to kinder to your delicate hair, cut back the amount of times you blow-dry, straighten and colour if possible.

Broken hair/split ends should be cut out of the hair before they get a chance to get worse. Speak to an experienced stylist who will advise on a hairstyle to suit your texture of hair. Also ask if the chosen salon offers treatments to repair the hair.

Regular cuts and reconstructing treatments should get your hair back on the right track.

Hope that helps,

Crombie, Browns

Hi Mahi,

I know we are hair doctors but I am afraid we can’t prescribe anything like that. Hair is dead tissue like our nails; that’s why when we cut our hair and nails it doesn’t hurt. The only living part of our hair is at the root and this is in the skin, which then becomes a dermatologist's or trichologist's domain. If your hair is breaking and snapping then this is because it is damaged and dry. Nothing we take internally can help this. So you are actually doing the right thing by using your moisture masks. I also can suggest that regular trims to keep the hair as healthy as possible is a great idea!

John Clark, Brooks+Brooks

Hello Mahi,

I am afraid the only solution for your hair breakage is to cut it to regain strength in the hair. If you don’t want to do this, then I would suggest you seek help of a professional colourist to only colour where necessary, i.e. on the root. You should also be having regular, intensive treatments to protect your hair with essential nutrients and also protect it from daily wear and tear.

Claire Atkinson, HOB

Hi Mahi,

I cannot advise any medication, as this is only something your doctor could do. The Kérastase Masquintense is designed to add moisture to dry hair; try changing to the Bain de Force range, along with the Forcintense home treatment programme, which is specifically aimed at broken and brittle hair.

Finally, seek some advice from a colourist on alternative hair colour products that may be less damaging than the one you are using.

Nick Malenko, Royston Blythe