Everyone knows that too much heat styling can ultimately damage hair, but for those of us with fine locks, stepping away from the hair dryer simply isn’t an option. For me personally, I need that jet of hot air to add volume from the root – otherwise it just falls flat as a pancake.

According to the experts at L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, however, the damage caused by heat styling is more to do with the age and condition of our hair, rather than the heat itself.

“It sounds obvious but the longer the hair, the older it is,” they said when asked about the detrimental effects of styling tools. “If the hair is constantly styled with heated appliances without using some form of heat protection products, then the fibres become weaker and will eventually break.

“Try to limit hot tool use where you can, and take care with brushing and styling so you don’t drag tangles or knots through the hair. Start at the bottom and gently work your way up to minimise breakage. Also, using products specially formulated for heat styling will also add an extra layer of protection.”

And, as much as I’m gunning for that longer length, getting there, according to the experts, requires patience and regular upkeep.

“It’s essential to keep hair trimmed to ensure the ends are healthy and that any split ends are swiftly removed before they travel up the hair fibre,” they add. “Even if you are growing your hair, a hairdresser will be able to give you a micro trim to ensure that the hair is kept in the best possible shape.”  

I’ll freely admit that I didn’t ever consider washing my hair to be anything beyond a formality while showering, and certainly haven’t thought about spending the same amount of money on haircare as I would on a new serum or moisturiser.

According to the pros though, haircare, like skincare, should be treated as an important part of our everyday routine, especially when it comes to treating the effects of tired and damaged tresses that refuse to grow.

“The L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular range is a system that’s been designed for hair that’s gone beyond surface damage and has started to break,” they said when asked about the most innovative products to invest in. “This is because it works on each level of the hair, from the inside out.”

Consisting of a shampoo, rinse-off hair serum and leave-in mask, the system contains 2% peptides bonder and five amino acids to help rebuild the hair’s molecular structure. The effects are also cumulative, so the longer you use this haircare regimen, the stronger the hair will become. Great news if you’ve got a hair length goal in mind.

“Hair is made of a protein called keratin, which in turn is made up of amino acids and peptides. Every time hair is damaged we lose peptides and the hair becomes weaker and breaks. The Absolut Repair Molecular system replaces these peptides for immediately visible results. Hair looks stronger, shinier and more supple.”

Plus, if you want to go the extra mile, Step 0 of this system (available in-salon) will help prep hair for the three-step home routine. Offering a powerful injection of peptides and amino acids, the treatment will kick-start the long-lasting molecular repair* and restore hair to its original strength**. Simply ask for the treatment when visiting your local L’Oréal Professionnel Paris hair salon.

While the thought of adding yet another item to my ever-growing list of self-care mantras might fill me with dread, according to L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, when it comes to hair, a complete overhaul isn’t needed. Small considerations are key.

“When washing your hair, a double cleanse (or two shampoos) is ideal, as impurities and dirt are removed with the first shampoo and the hair can then benefit from the targeted actions of the shampoo in the second. However, if you’re having to wash your hair every day then one shampoo is enough.”

Once the hair is washed, remember that it is still prone to breakage. I’m definitely one to tug and rough dry mine with a towel in a bid to just ‘get it done’, so I’m advised to try and be a little less heavy-handed.

“When hair is wet it should be combed with a wide tooth comb and always start at the ends of the hair, working section to section. Remove tangles, then start to work up to the roots until the comb can effortlessly glide through.”

Then apply a treatment like the Absolut Repair Molecular leave-in mask to the ends to help nourish and protect the hair from heat styling.

And, while we’re all prone to piling our hair up into a WFH topknot between washes, the pros remind us that tight updos can also inflict damage on our locks.

“Tension from bands that are abrasive and too tight on the hair can cause breakage,” they said. “Also, putting constant strong tension on hair can cause small areas of hair loss. This is especially common around hairlines if the hair is severely pulled back and tightly secured over a long period. Always use bands that are easy to remove and are designed specifically for hair.”