The Vacation Habits You Didn’t Know Are Aging Your Hair and How to Reverse the Damage

Your lax holiday 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 vacation is to relax and, when it comes to our beauty habits, to take a break from time-consuming routines. When it comes to our hair, that may mean ditching straightening and styling to keep it in a low-maintenance bun for most of the trip.

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

As we age, our hair becomes more fragile, and when you add sun, sea and swimming pools to that, it’s likely to suffer. Find out here about the mistakes many of us make on holiday and expert advice on how to reverse the damage.

Get rid of the tight updo

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

“The constant strain of tight updos causes strands of hair to break or fall out, and over time this damages hair follicles,” she says. “Regularly wearing hairstyles like slicked-back buns can lead to baldness or hair loss that can make you look much older, especially around the hairline and temples where hair is more fragile as we age. Once follicles are damaged, hair cannot grow back, leading to permanent hair loss.”

She recommends styling your hair in a low, loose ponytail or braid to minimise tension. Investing in silk scrunchies, which are much gentler on your hair than traditional elastics, is also a safe bet. Try Silk Slip scrunchies, from £12 for two (pillowcaseslipsilk.com).

PROTECTS THE PIGMENT FROM THE SUN

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

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

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

“The sun naturally lightens hair because the heat causes the cuticles to open, damaging the hair cortex and altering the colour,” explains Andrea. “In grey hair, this results in a yellowish, brassy pigment.

“It’s not just the sun that has this effect,” she adds. “Chlorine in swimming pools is a chemical oxidiser that can turn grey hair yellow and blonde hair greenish.” This change can be a sign of damage.

To avoid this, it is recommended to protect your hair with a sun hat and use a swimming cap in the pool.

RINSE OFF THE SEA SALT

Always rinse your hair with fresh water before swimming in the sea so that it does not absorb as much salt.

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

“Salt water draws moisture out of your hair and scalp,” explains Dr. Nicoloso. “As we age, hair tends to become finer and more prone to breakage, and 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. After swimming, rinse it again with fresh water and wash your hair as soon as possible to remove the salt and prevent further moisture loss.

AVOID EXCESSIVE BRUSHING

Brushing too roughly can wreak havoc on your follicles, so try to be gentle.

If you often brush or comb your hair back to beat the heat during the holidays, this can be a stressor for middle-aged hair, because our hair follicles naturally direct hair towards the face. “Even if you wear your hair back, following the direction your hair naturally grows when combing allows you to reduce tension and avoid weakening the follicles to prevent further damage,” says Andrea Marino.

USE A POWDER SUNSCREEN FOR THE SCALP

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

Let’s face it, applying regular sunscreen to your scalp isn’t a tempting idea (think greasy roots and unkempt manes). But it’s just as important to protect your scalp from harmful UV rays as it is the rest of your body. Just make sure you’re using the right formula, as anything too greasy could damage your hair and delicate scalp.

“Try using a sunscreen specially formulated for the scalp – these tend to have balanced pH levels that are better suited to the skin on your head and are less likely to damage your hair,” Andrea advises. “To avoid oiliness altogether, try powder sunscreens that you can apply to your part, hairline and scalp.”

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Supergoop Mineral Powder SPF 30 is a good option (£28, sephora.es).

BEWARE OF 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 multiple times a day while on vacation can make it more prone to breakage and weakening. “This is because the hydrogen bonds in your hair are temporarily broken when it gets wet and then reformed when it dries,” explains Dr. Nicoloso. “Doing this repeatedly puts stress on these bonds, which weakens the hair’s structure over time.

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

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

Don’t get dehydrated

A nourishing spray can prevent your hair from becoming dehydrated in sunny conditions.

UV rays can also weaken hair by damaging the cuticle and compromising keratin, an essential protein that keeps hair strong and smooth.

“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 the hair, which reduces its elasticity and leads to increased breakage and a rough texture.”

So use a nourishing spray designed to protect hair from UV damage (try Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £32) and wear a scarf or hat when in direct sunlight.

POST-VACATION HAIR RESCUE

Skip the heat styling when you get home and try a hydrating hair mask instead.

“After the holidays, take a break from blow-drying and heat styling,” Andrea advises. “Heat styling temporarily opens and closes the cuticles and breaks hydrogen bonds in the hair shaft, which can exacerbate hair damage, so let your hair dry naturally whenever possible.”

“If you’re concerned about the condition or colour of your hair after the holidays, consult a professional.” A good starting point is to combine a hydrating hair mask and a leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture. If you must style your hair with heat, always use a heat protectant spray to create a protective barrier and prevent further dehydration and breakage.