How to anti-age your hair

Thanks to slower cell regeneration and hormonal changes, hair can lose vitality and shine but with some trusted treatments, clever styling and healthy habits you can whip it back into shape and slow down the clock.

Massage your scalp

Treat your hair and scalp as well as your face and body. Regular massage increases blood flow to the follicles, decreases stress and distributes the scalp's natural oils into the hair, which all lead to a boost in hair health.

Hair expert Philip Kingsley recommends massaging the scalp by "kneading it for a minute or two daily."

Good products to try

Dr. Hauschka Neem Oil, £19.98 - an intensive repairing treatment for hair and scalp; www.drhauschka.co.uk  

Foltène Treatment for Hair and Scalp, £24.95 (month's supply) - rich with vitamins and active ingredients for hair strength and growth; www.boots.com

Condition, condition, condition

The more chemically treated hair is, the more conditioning and TLC it needs. "Chemical treatments and excess heat styling actually prevent hair from reflecting light," says Kingsley.

No light reflection means dull hair, so use a weekly conditioning mask to create a smoother, shinier surface. Grey and blonde hairs are drier so simply condition and remoisturise more.

Good products to try

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer £23.50 - a multi-award winning deep conditione; www.philipkingsley.com

Sebastian Professional Potion 9, £19.95 - contains nine essential oils to banish seriously dry hair - great for swimmers and serial colourists

Available at salons nationwide, visit www.sebastianprofessional.co.uk for nearest stockists

TommyGuns Leave Me-in Conditioner & Styling Crème, £5.99 - a daily moisturiser for the hair and a must for the hair kit! tommyguns.com

Eat well, eat protein

Hair is a type of protein so poor nutrition can lead to prematurely hair-ageing. Eat plenty of proteins (nuts, pulses, beans) and top-up on essential fatty acids (from seeds, avocado, flaxseed and olive oil) to fuel healthy cell regeneration.

Good products to try

Sibu Cellular Support, £24.99 - capsules full of antioxidants and vital essential fatty acids, including Omega 7; www.victoriahealth.com

Philip Kingsley PK4Hair, £19.50 - a complete protein and multi-vitamin supplement for holistic hair health; www.philipkingsley.com

Lift and boost

Hair strands become thinner in diameter over time so each hair takes up less space, giving the overall appearance of less body and volume. The fix? Use the right mix of products to add body and va-va-voom.

Good products to try

PhytoDensium Shampoo, £13.50 - protects against free radicals and adds strength and density through a cocktail of botanical extracts; stockists 020 7620 1771 

Clynol Collagen Boost Magnify Volumising Mousse, £9.95 - formulated especially for mature hair, will add volume and fullness for easy styling; www.clynol.com

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Blowdry lotion, £5.49 - a great spray for instant root lift; stockists 020 7851 9800

Smart styling

If you have strong, healthy hair, why wear it short? Long hair can look elegant on older women as long you have a soft, flattering shape.

"Hair should not hang down like curtains," says celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton. "With body and bounce, hair is flattering to the mature woman and if can make her feel sexy at a time in her life where feeling sexy isn't as easy, then it's a great confidence booster too."

Because grey hair is colourless, it can look unflattering but if you want to embrace it, Barton suggests a few delicate weaves of a soft caramel or biscuit colour tint around the hairline to soften the steely effect - this will look very pretty.

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