STOP THINKING DIET, START THINKING HEALTHY EATING

Being overweight significantly reduces your life expectancy, which is why you rarely seen an obese person over 70. Extra weight not only puts stress on your joints, circulation and internal organs, it can also increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.

Many people presume that getting older means getting fatter, but middle-aged spread is not inevitable. A shift in hormones during the menopause means you may be more likely to store fat around your stomach rather than your hips, but the real reason we put on weight as we age is because most of us become less active.

This means that the majority of us can choose what we weight at almost any age. But we cannot do it with traditional weight-loss diets, or 'slimming' foods that are high in sugar and sweeteners (which can actually increase your appetite and slow weight loss - see, it was not your lack of willpower). Around 90% of people who go on a diet put the weight back on within two years, and many go on to gain even more. Yo-yo dieting also destroys lean body mass, so when you gain the weight back expect it to be fat, not muscle.

Instead, stop thinking diet, and start thinking healthy eating. By suddenly restricting the calories you eat, your body simply slows down your metabolism to compensate for the shortage. So forget the protein-only, blood type and zone diets. The only thing you need to remember to maintain a healthy weight is this: good food makes you thinner.

How to maintain a healthy weight

• Eat a large variety of healthy foods you enjoy and you will see this as a lifelong, lifestyle choice, rather than a diet you cannot wait to come off.
• Eating well will give you the energy your body needs to keep moving. Exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight as it boosts metabolism and muscle mass, which in turn increases the number of calories you burn. To keep motivated, exercise needs to be enjoyable, and there really is something for everyone.
• The usual suspects are (no surprise) also the things that stop you maintaining your best weight. The roll call; refined carbohydrates (it is the white ones that cause weight gain, not the refined ones like wholemeal bread and pasta); fried foods; processed foods (these disrupt blood sugar levels and are also very addictive); high-fat takeaways (especially Indian sauce dishes); full-fat versions of milk, cheese and butter; and desserts. Remember, it is the food you eat every day that makes the differences, not the odd sticky toffee pudding you have on a Saturday night.
• Drinking lots of water is vital to losing weight, not least because when you feel hungry it is often your body trying to tell you it needs more water. Try reaching for a glass of water instead of a snack between meals, and see if you still feel hungry afterwards.

ANTI-AGEING FOODS

The most anti-ageing foods you can eat are the ones that help mop up free radicals in your body. It is no surprise that they are mostly fresh fruits and vegetables.

Stay Younger Longer Diet
There is no doubt that eating a nutrient-packed diet is the easiest way to live a long, healthy life. The average woman in the UK lives to 79.9 years, but experts believe you can extend this by an impressive 10-15 years with the right nutrition. Luckily this does not mean avoiding jammy doughnuts forever. Food is one of life's pleasures, and not giving yourself treats would be a real shame. So if you have had a 'bad' day, don't worry. It is not the takeaway meal you had last night that determines your health, but the nutrient-rich meals you eat day in, day out.

Age-friendly foods
Fresh fruits and vegetables: The most anti-ageing foods you can eat are the ones that help mop up free radicals in your body. It is no surprise that they are mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. Try fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums oranges, red grapes, cherries, kiwi fruit, pink grapefruit, apples, tomatoes and cantaloupe melons. Vegetable choices include steamed spinach, broccoli, beetroot, onion, corn, aubergine, green leafy vegetables, red bell peppers, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts and carrots.

Locally grown organic foods: Experts advise eating these as much as possible, as they provide more vitamins and minerals than non-organic (and, of course, fewer pesticides).

Good-quality protein: Eat at least once a day. Best choices are organic chicken or fresh fish, and vegetarians can get their protein from soya-based foods plus kidney bean, chickpeas, lentils, peas and eggs. Nuts (try almonds, cashews, Brazils and hazelnuts) and seeds (such as pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, hemp and linseeds) are also a good source of protein and provide important essential fatty acids.

Raw foods: Eat more of these, which are high in nutrients and fibre. And experiment. A large proportion of our diet comes from just 19 foods, but the greater the variety of food you eat, the more nutrients you will consume.

Water: Do not wait until you are dehydrated to down a glass of water. The mechanism that makes you thirsty becomes less effective with age, so you may have to start drinking to feel like drinking more. Make an effort to drink at least four to six large glasses of water a day (about two litres), and your skin will feel softer by the end of it. And choose room-temperature water as ice-cold chills your stomach, making it more difficult for you to absorb nutrients.

Age-enemy foods
Sugar: This is not only very addictive, but also very ageing. It wreaks havoc with your digestive system and also destroys collagen production, causing premature ageing. Sugar is in most processed foods, not to mention fizzy drinks, crisps, cakes, biscuits and chocolate, which all contain large amounts. If you feel sleepy after a meal, chances are you're suffering a sugar overload. Cut down on processed TV dinners, canned foods and your intake of 'white' foods (think bread, rice, pasta), as these are highly processed and lacking in the goodness of their brown alternatives.

Alcohol: Alcohol extracts water from every cell in your body, causing dehydration and accelerated ageing. It also generates large amounts of ageing free radicals and strains your liver, causing a build-up of toxins that shows in your skin as wrinkles and broken blood vessels. One or two glasses of red wine can have a positive antioxidant benefit (young red wines are better than oak-aged), but excessive alcohol can result in many health problems, from depression to fatigue. If you like a drink, make sure you eat foods that cleanse and support the liver, including broccoli, globe artichokes, cauliflower, beetroot, radishes and fennel. And drink dandelion-root tea, a great liver cleanser.

Simple Long-Life Eating Habits
Really enjoy everything you eat
Most importantly, stop eating the minute you stop enjoying it. One of the simplest ways to prolong your life is to eat less, so choose smaller portions of great-tasting food an stop eating when you are full. This probably means eating slower, too, so your brain has a chance to realize you have had enough.

Make time for breakfast
In the morning your digestive juices are ready for food, so eat now or you could eventually weaken your stomach. Skipping breakfast also slows down your metabolism to save energy from; plus, eating all your meals later means you end up consuming calories that have nowhere useful to go.

Switch from coffee to green tea
Caffeine raises levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and insulin, which both accelerate ageing. But green tea is full of antioxidants that do wonders for the skin and also help speed up your metabolism, plus reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Green tea is an acquired taste, so look for varieties with apple, mint or lemon, which will make the switch far sweeter.

Eat essential fats for wrinkle-free skin
Forget expensive skin creams. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are the best investment for supple, hydrated skin with fewer wrinkles. They nourish the skin, acting as internal moisturizers to keep it soft and smooth. Symptoms of EFA deficiency actually include common ageing conditions such as dry skin, fatigue, allergies, poor memory and inflammatory conditions (inflammation triggers most disease associated with ageing, from Alzheimer's to arthritis.

There are two main types of EFAs - omega 3 and 6. One of the best sources of omega 3 is oily fish such as mackerel, wild salmon, sardines, tuna and herring, and seeds such as linseeds, walnuts, hemp and pumpkin. Omega 6 is found in walnut and sesame oils and nuts like walnuts, Brazils, pecans and almonds (but not peanuts). Another option is Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil Blend, which is made from organic flax, sunflower and sesame seeds and can be used in salad dressing or drizzled over cooked food.

And don't mistake EFAs for the type of fat that ends up on your hips. EFAs actually encourage weight loss by increasing by metabolism to help burn stored fat, and they also help suppress appetite and decrease cravings for sweets and starchy foods.

DUMP THE TOXIC FOOD










Fill up on antioxidant foods, use skincare containing antioxidants and drink eight glasses of water a day.

It is estimated that 70,000 chemicals foreign to the human body are in common use today. And if that was not enough, another 1,000 are being introduced each year. Our bodies are being contaminated by substances that have never been a part of the environment before, and the more toxins you have in your body, the more you will struggle to look and feel good.

Toxins are everywhere. In the air, we breathe, sprayed over the food we eat, in the chemicals we use to clean our homes, and in the beauty products we buy. this accumulation of toxins has been blamed for many current health issues, from a rise in infertility to the food intolerances and allergies so common today. Andthese same toxins are also very bad news for your skins, as they create free radicals, which damage healthy cell renewal, causing skin to age more quickly.

We may not be able to choose the air we breathe, but we can make other choices to lessen our toxic exposure.

How to lessen the load

• Avoid chemicals in food, such as artificial colourings and flavorings in convenience and read-packed meals and desserts, and artificial flavourings and additives such as monosodium glutamate. Organic food, which contains fewer pesticides, is your best choice.
• Consider switching your usual cleaning products to environmentally safer ones, which are now widely available at all supermarkets and health stores.
• Reduce your exposure to radiation by ditching your microwave oven, minimizing your mobile phone usage, and limiting the time you spend in front of a computer or TV.
• The majority of beauty products contain chemical colourants and preservatives. Read the labels and cut back on products containing parabens, sodium lauryl or laureth sulphate, synthetic fragrances and colourants, petrochemicals and PABA sunscreens. Or choose from a range that promises to be 100% natural.
• The thinning of the ozone layer caused by air pollution means the sun's ultraviolet rays are now less filtered, and therefore more dangerous. Skin cancer cases in the UK are now around 70,000 a year - 7,000 of these are malignant and 1,600 fatal. The majority of sunscreens contain chemicals that are absorbed into the skin, adding to your toxic overload. Far better are non-chemical sunscreens, which contain minerals (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) that sit on the skin's surface.
• Limit your exposure to pollutants by avoiding walking (and never exercising) by a busy road. Stay out of smoke-filled rooms, and surround yourself with plants that filter out indoor pollution.
• Fight back by filling up on antioxidant foods, using skincare products containing antioxidants and drinking at least eight glasses of pure water a day to give yourself an internal wash.

AGELESS BODY - KEEPING YOUR BODY BEAUTIFUL

Holding Back the Years: Dimples and Wrinkles

Neck
The skin on your neck is paler, thinner and drier than the rest of your body, so is likely to look creepy more quickly, too. The first rule of neck care is to treat it like an extension of your face, so whether you're exfoliating, moisturizing or cleansing, extend the products south. The way you apply is important, too - upward strokes with the back of your hand are perfect, as palm pressure can be too forceful.

Foundation shouldn't stop at your jaw either, but you only need a little as skin tone will be more even on your neck, so use the residue left on your hand, sponge or foundation brush. And never skip sunscreen on your neck, as the pale skin here is more likely to burn. Lastly, practise perfect posture to guard against the dreaded turkey neck. Holding your neck high and your shoulders back will not only strengthen your neck's supporting muscles to prevent creasing, but also help smooth away wrinkles already there.

Bust and décolletage
If you're the proud owner of a medium to large bust, you'll be carrying between three and five pounds of weight, which (not surprisingly) can stretch your skin, making it look looser. Wearing a good supportive bra will help maintain akin tone, so get yourself measured for free at your local department store. And buy a good sports bra for exercising, as this is when your bust needs help the most. Using a firming cream can stimulate collagen to keep the area looking younger and go some way to reverse past damage.

Use your opposite hand to stroke firmly upwards towards your shoulder, so you don't drag skin down. Your décolletage is also where sun damage shows up fast as it's so often exposed to the environment (without the protection you give your face), so extend your sunscreen downwards during summer. Need inspiration to do the housework? Washing windows is great bust-firming exercise - the larger and more energetic the movements, the better!


















Use sweeping strokes on dry skin in the direction of your heart to stimulate not just your skin but the lymph nodes underneath.






Bottom
A porridge-like bottom can be much improved by brushing your skin to boost circulation. Before your bath or shower, use sweeping strokes on dry skin in the direction of your heart to stimulate not just your skin but the lymph nodes underneath. Message can also help break down and disperse your fatty cells below your skin's surface, and you can make your own anti-cellulite oil with 10ml (one dessert spoon) of carrier oil, plus two drops of cypress essential oil (to stumble) and two drops of juniper essential oil (a diuretic). Smooth on daily and then gentle pinch and roll your dimples between fingers and thumb.

Not surprisingly, any form of cardiovascular exercise will boost circulation while burning fat. For best results, choose activities that target your legs and bottom, such as cycling, fast walking and running. Lastly, eat a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamin C (that means at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetable a day), which will strengthen the collagen fibres in your skin responsible for elasticity (meaning that lumps and bumps will be less noticeable below the surface). Cut down on foods high in fat, salt and sugar, and drink two litres of metabolism-boosting water a day, as dehydration is a major cause of sluggish circulation.

Legs
Standing for long periods makes any legs vulnerable makes any legs vulnerable to varicose veins, which form when the veins in your legs cannot return blood to your heart efficiently, causing it to stagnate and your veins to swell. Your best defence is regular exercise, especially walking and increasing the circulation in your legs while sitting by stretching them out in front of you and pointing and flexing your feet five times. And, while surgical support tights are a known deterrent, Lycra fashions tights also help control the problem.

Straight Talking
If you want to take years off your looks instantly, there are few better ways than simply standing taller. Walking like an old person, with hunched shoulders, not only causes back pain but can make you look lazy, frumpy and lacking in confidence (how you hold yourself is one of the first things people notice about you).

Your head weights around 5kg (11 lb), so by hanging it forward you are putting a massive strain on your back and spine. Over time this will weaken neck muscles, making your shoulders even more rounded. Bad posture has also been linked to arthritis, digestive disorders, repetitive strain injury and sciatica, but the benefits of good posture are instant. You can add two inches to your height (we start to shrink from the age of 40, so need all the help we can get!) and look up to 3kg (61/2 lb) lighter, just by standing tall. Rounded shoulders also reduce your bust by a whole cup size, but standing with your shoulders drawn back will make them look twice as perky.

Carrying yourself like a sack of potatoes is simply a habit, and one you can break with practice. And it is worth it. Walk like a taller, thinner, younger person, and that is exactly what you will look like.

Perfect posture
Good posture begins at ground levels, as the position of your feet directly affects the alignment of your hips and spine. Inward rolling of the feet is a problem for many of us, giving the whole body a slouched, curled-over appearance. Get your feet well aligned and your whole body posture will improve. Try this exercise:

1. Stand with knees soft and feet facing forwards, hip width apart. Ensure your weight is in the centre of your feet by rolling forward and back until you find the middle position.
2. Tighten your buttock muscles and draw in your stomach as if trying to touch your spine with your tummy button.
3. Stretch your spine up, drawing your shoulder blades together without lifting your shoulders.
4. Lastly, imagine you are a puppet being pulled up by a string attached to the crown of your head. Relax your jaw and drop your shoulders.
5. As you move around, the aim is to have your ears, thighs and insteps in line, and while sitting your shoulders should be balanced over your hips so you don't slump.

Five-second fix: We all walk taller when we are happy, so remind yourself of something cheerful as you leave the house and you will stride out with your head held high.

Exercises for better posture

• Your spine is support system is the transversus abdominis muscle, which wraps around your middle and is weak in bad back sufferers. The best moves to strengthen this muscle are done slowly and gently. Yoga, Pilates, t'ai chi and Feldenkrais will all improve your posture while alleviating the back problems over 40% of us suffer each year.
• Regularly contracting your pelvic floor muscles will improve your posture considerably. Squeeze as if you are trying to stop yourself going to the toilet, while consciously tightening your abdominals.
• Try this Pilates move known as 'Zip Up and Hollow' (it is also said to be great for your sex life). Sit upright on a chair, take a deep breath in , and as you breathe out draw up the muscles of your pelvic floor, again as if you are trying to stop yourself peeing. Think of drawing them together from side to side rather than from bottom to top - and then lift up a little. It may help to imagine you are doing up an internal zip from your pelvic floor , while you hollow your lower abdominals back towards your spine. Breathe in and release.
  

DIY - HOW TO COLOUR HAIR

Work the colourant into your hair, not your scalp. To touch up permanent colour, just apply to roots.



What most hairdressers probably won't tell you is that home and salon colourants are virtually identical, so what you're paying for at a salon is both ease and experience.

What can I use?
The array of products on the home-colouring shelves is baffling at best, so here's a simple guide to what's on offer.

Up to 20% grey
A semi-permanent colour similar to your natural shade will blend a few grey hairs in with the rest. These contains no chemicals, so coat rather than penetrate your hair. They last between six and eight shampoos, but longer if your hair is 'porous' (damaged). That's because when hair is damaged the cuticle's not flat against the shaft, allowing more colour to get inside.

Up to 50% grey
Time to set up to longer-lasting semi-permanent (once called demi-permanent), which contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, but no ammonia. This penetrates a little but not as much as a permanent, giving results that last up to 24 washes.

Over 80% grey
The only way to replace this much colour is with permanent dye, which will penetrate the hair shaft. If in doubt, choose a lighter rather than darker shade, which will be easier to remedy should you dislike the result.

Troubleshooting tips

• If you're not sure about what to use, phone one of the advisory services (find the number on most colourant boxes). Trained stuff can answer questions on any make of colour and they'll even do a strand test if you send them a cutting of your hair.
• Always do a skin test each time you colour your hair (follow instructions in the pack). And wait 48 hours before you go ahead (this time it takes between contact with the allergen and any potential reaction), to allow any sensitivity to show up. If you do react, don't use the colour or any other product. Instead, call the company helpline (on the box) for advice. This may involve diagnostic patch testing by a dermatologist to confirm the cause of your reaction. You can then avoid it in future by checking ingredients on the box before buying.
• The ingredients most commonly associated with allergic reactions is the hair dye paraphenylene diamine (PPD), and unfortunately this is present in all permanent hair colours. Allergies can be serious enough to warrant medical attention (and occasionally even fatal). Once you've been diagnosed, a temporary, wash-out colour or high- or lowlights are your only options.
• If you're allergic (or sensitive) to another chemical in traditional hair dyes, you can try one of the new herbal-based permanent hair colours. By adding plant-based ingredients, including anti-inflammatories, and removing paraben preservatives and resorcinol, these formulations minimize the likelihood of chemical problems such as scalp sensitivity.
• Less important for your health, but vital for your hair, is a strand test. Do this at the same time as your skin test and you'll only have to mix the ingredients once. Not only will you discover the final colour result (keep an eye on the time so you know exactly how long to leave it on), but also how the colourant will affect the condition of your hair.
• If you're unhappy with a semi-permanent results, frequent washing with an anti-dandruff or 'clarifying' shampoo will fade it faster. Never try to rectify a permanent colour mistake yourself, or you will make matters worse. Instead, swallow your pride, cover your hair with a hat and go to a salon for professional advice. And don't worry: they've seen it all before - and worse!

At-home colouring techniques

• Take off any rings that could tear the plastics gloves, wear old clothes and even older towel around your shoulders, and if you're using a permanent colour splatter-proof your bathroom, too.
• Wipe the skin around your hairline (and ears) with petroleum jelly to avoid staining, and use an alarm clock to ensure your timing is exact (most home-colouring disasters are caused by leaving it on too long).
• Work the colourant into your hair, not your scalp. And, for touch-up applications of permanent colour, just apply to your roots or you'll suffer stripes where your hair has become overloaded. Then just work it through the rest of your hair for a few minutes at the end.
• A few grey hairs around your hairline? Mascara in a shade close to your own, applied from root tip, will do a great job of disguising them until your next colouring session.

How soon you go grey depends on your genes, but many of us are now going grey sooner, due partly to our stressful lives. An unlucky few may spot their first grey hair at 20, and 50% of women will be grey by the age of 50. But look on colouring as a chance to improve on nature, and suddenly those first grey hairs won't seem so bad after all.

According to Steven Goldsworthy, skin tone changes as we age and our hair starts to turn grey. This means that if you try to keep the hair colour you had at 20, chances are you will end up looking sallow-skinned, plus darker hair also emphasizes lines, making your skin look older.

Steven recommends lifting your hair a couple of shades lighter. The best way to do this while hiding the first signs of grey is with highlights or lowlights, which can work like a mini facelift. For best results these need to be done professionally, but if salon prices are out of range ask your hairdresser about trainee nights, where a fully qualified stylist will oversee your colour every step of the way. All trainee hairdressers need to practise on real people, and are never let loose on anyone until they know what they are doing.

Your other option is an overall colour, which will give your hair more shine than high- or lowlights. Paul Matthews advises using semi-permanent colourants, which are a great way to colour your whole head without that unnatural 'block' effect you can get with permanent dyes. In fact, Paul advises avoiding permanent colourants for as long as you can get away with it (until you are 80% grey and upwards), as they contain more chemicals and you are also stuck with the result. Warm semi-permanent shades will give your hair a shiny, youthful glow and can last between 6 and 24 shampoos (read the box), covering 40%-50% grey.

Remember, if you have to mix two bottles together (or twist a bottle to mix its two compartments), then chemicals are involved and the colour inside is either a long-lasting semi-permanent (up to 24 washes) or permanent. And, while older women look best with hair a couple of shades lighter than their natural colour, very light blonde hair is also ageing as it washes out skin tone (and also does not cover grey well). So if you have been using bleach until now, consider swapping to a honey-blonde tone, which will be far more flattering.

And think twice before deciding to grow grey gracefully as grey hair can drain your face, plus it absorbs the light, making hair look dull. Unfortunately, women who look good with grey hair tend to be the ones who would look good whatever their hair colour!Your skin tone will also determine if you should stick with what nature intended. Either dark or pale complexions look best with grey hair, with sallow skins and redheads rarely finding silver hair flattering. If you do decide to go grey, more colourful make-up is essential to avoid looking washed out, and if your grey starts turning yellow, use a purple- or blue-based shampoo or conditioner to neutralize the tone.

Warm semi-permanent shades will give your hair a shiny, youthful glow and can last between 6 and 24 shampoos (read the box), covering 40-50% grey.

HOW TO LOOK LIKE YOU'VE GOT TWICE AS MUCH HAIR

• Forget the rule about shorter styles being best for fine hair: In fact short layers are very ageing - just think of your nan's shampoo and set! Far more modern is a shoulder-length bob with long layers to give volume and shape. And you can still put it up, too.
• Ask your hairdresser for cutting techniques that give your hair volume. Point-cutting, slicing tapering and razoring all take weight out of the hair so it does not hang flat.
• A good volumizing or thickening shampoo can work like a collagen injection for the hair. Ask your stylist what they recommend. Far from being commission-hungry, your hairdresser actually knows your hair better than anyone. And do not be put off by the price - you usually get what you pay for. Lastly, consider investing in a styling spray from the same range. Products are formulated to work together, so it is worth sticking with one brand.
• Wash fine hair daily if possible, as it goes limp quicker than any other hair type. But use conditioner sparingly, just on the mid-lengths and ends, or your hair could dry flatter than it was before.
• For a body-building blow-dry, hang your head upside down to blast volume into the roots. Or, even better, dry hair in the opposite direction to how your hair grows, which means raking all your hair over to one side, and then switching hands and raking it over to the other. Keep alternating until your hair is nearly dry, then swap your fingers for a plastic pronged brush and smooth the surface.
• Back-combing may sound old hat, but done gently it can hold your newly styled volume in place without any damage. Take a section of hair and, holding it without tension, use a wide-tooth comb to tease the roots. To remove tangles post-night out, start at the ends and work up.
• If you only have a minute, hang your head upside down and massage your roots. Spray with a styling or fixing spray and, hey presto, big hair!
• Velcro rollers are much kinder than heated ones, but only use on short to medium-length hair, as longer hair will tangle. When choosing your roller size, remember that hair needs to go around a roller at least one and a half times to hold it in place. You can put Velcro rollers in damp hair and wait for it to dry, or for quicker results in just-styled warm hair (when hair cools, it will 'set' the style). Or, for between shampoos styling, put the rollers in dry hair, heat them with a hairdryer for five minutes, wait until they have cooled right down and then unwind gently. For extra oomph, hang your head upside down and spray with a fixing product before raking hair through with your fingers.
• Velvet-coated heated rollers are the best bet for long hair. If the result is too curly, only leave them in for half the recommended time. This cuts down on heat damage, too.
• For a quick-fix plumper, gently rub sections of hair between your fingers and thumb. This will fluff up the cuticles, creating instant volume.

THINNING HAIR: THE CAUSES AND THE CURES

Thinning hair is not just a male problem, it has been believes that thinning hair is becoming more common in women. But there is no need to panic if your hair looks less plentiful than it used to, as there's a cure for many common causes of hair loss.

Genetic hair loss
This occurs in women who have genetically predisposed hair follicles that gradually become sensitive to normal levels of male hormones in the body. The hair follicles will become increasingly finer until eventually growth stops altogether. This type of hair loss mostly affects the top area of the scalp and happens over a number of years rather than months. If you notice your hair getting finer but there are no more hairs clogging up your plughole, you should visit a trichologist for a diagnosis. And do not hold off until the problem becomes very noticeable, as genetic hair loss is totally preventable, but only partially reversible. The best treatment is topical hormones applied to the affected area at night.

Increased shedding
There are many reasons why you may be seeing more hair on your clothes or in the plughole but it has been believes that in normal healthy women the most important things to ensure are adequate iron stores (ferritin) and vitamin B12. Ask your doctor for a blood test, results should be at least mid-range (if in doubt,take your result to a trichologist). Hair shedding is often self-correcting, but if the amount of hair coming out continues past six to eight weeks, visit a trichologist.

Hair can be a great barometer of health, which means everything from a course of antibiotics to poor diet can affect it, and in most cases the hair you are losing today will have been caused by something that started three months ago. It has been recommends a good balance of protein and carbohydrates and never going more than four hours without eating. Hair follicles are one of the fastest-growing cells in the body so need a lot of energy, but as hair is low in your body's priority list (losing your hair is not life-threatening, after all), not giving yourself enough nutrients means your hair is one of the first things to suffer.

Postnatal hair loss
It is estimated that around 50% of new mums suffer hair loss, some more dramatically than others. The reason for this is simple. When you become pregnant a surge of female hormones means more hair is retained on your head (usually 10% of our hair is in its 'falling stage), and most women say their hair has more volume during pregnancy. But once your baby is born, your hormones start returning to normal and the hair you would have lost naturally over the last nine months starts falling out (in a far shorter space of time!). This is absolutely temporary and self-correcting, so although a little unsettling it is really nothing to worry about.

In most cases your hair should return to normal after two to three months (recovery time can be delayed due to breast-feeding), but if there is no improvement after this time, the best advice is to visit a trichologist, as your hair loss could be due to other reasons.

Aggressive styling
There is no doubt about it. Certain hairdressing techniques can damage your hair, causing breakage that looks like hair loss. An easy way to tell the difference is to feel the roots of your hair (spiky broken ends will feel very different to hair shedding from the roots). Whether it is a hot hairdryer held too close to your hair, brushing your hair when it is wet or pulling out Velcro rollers too harshly, aggressive handling and heat both evaporate your hair's moisture levels. Styling your hair is fine; just do it gently. Swap your bristle brush for one with wide spaced plastic prongs or a wide-tooth comb,and use a good 'moisturizing' conditioner, which will help your hair retain elasticity and moisture levels.




Styling your hair is fine; just do it gently. Swap your bristle brush for one with widely spaced plastic prongs or a wide-tooth comb, and use a good
'moisturizing' conditioner.

AGELESS HAIR - KEEPING YOUR HAIR SHINING

Age-defying Hair Styling Tips
The right hairstyle can take years off you - or put years on. Top hairdressers Steven Goldsworthy and Paul Matthews help you get it right.

Steven Goldsworthy

• You do not wear the same clothes you did 20 years ago, so why the same hair? Keeping the style of your youth can be very ageing. (Think Liza Minnelli and Donatella Versace).
• After a certain age, wearing your hair forward is a bad idea, as nature has already started to drag down your features without your hair helping it along. Much better is to wear hair back, which will take your face with it.
• Avoid a bob that stops at your chin, as this will emphasize any developing jowls. Instead, choose a cut that finishes either above or below your jawline.
• Unless you have elfin features that look swamped with too much hair, leave hair longer at the back to soften your jaw.
• A soft, layered style that frames your face is very flattering. Keep hair flatter around your ears and ensure you have width at your temples to accentuate cheekbones (and counteract that 'maturing' jaw).
• When you notice your jaw looking heavier it's time for a shorter style, as long hair will drag your face down. And never, ever hair that reaches past your elbows.
• Talk (and listen) to your stylist, who can take into account everything from your dress sense to the amount of time you spend on your hair.
• Grey hair is coarser, so invest in a serum, which works by coating the outer layer to make your hair look smoother. It also works like a rain hat, protecting your hair from frizziness in damp weather. And look out for shampoos and conditioners formulated for coarse hair, or labelled 'deep conditioning' or 'moisturizing'.
• Cutting techniques like texturizing and point-cutting can help control coarser hair. Ask your hairdresser for advice.

Paul Matthews

• Whatever age you are, it is till about what suits your face shape. Following high-fashion trends looks like trying too hard. Most older fashion icons have well-groomed hair in a classic style rather than the latest look. Great examples of this are Madonna, Lulu and Sharon Osbourne.
• Take pictures of favorite styles to show your hairdresser (it can be part of hairstyle, such as the fringe, rather than the whole look). Be aware that pictures in magazines are heavily styled and the cut may actually be very simple. The less styled your chosen picture, the better chance you will have of achieving the same look at home.
• Some people dress up to visit a salon, but wearing your usual clothes allows a stylist to get a true picture of you.
• The most unflattering style for an older woman is long hair with a middle parting. If you like long hair, part it on the side and make sure you have softness around your face.
• Wearing your hair back gives the impression of lifting your face, but anything too tight looks harsh and also puts pressure on your front hairline.
• Visit your hairdresser regularly. Tired, undressed hair may look good in your 20s, but not so good in your 40s.
• Do not over-style your hair with too much hairspray, 'stuck' hair is very ageing. Better choices are gel or mousse, which give more texture and shine. Avoid trying to make your hair look too perfect or done - a big age giveaway.