Hair Nova Angel

How to Stop Hair Breakage for Good

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:38:51 +0000

How to Stop Hair Breakage for Good

Finding short, snapped strands on your brush, pillow or in the shower is one of the most common hair worries, and it is also one of the most fixable. Hair breakage happens when the strand itself snaps somewhere along the shaft rather than shedding naturally from the root, and while it is frustrating, the causes are almost always within your control. In this guide, a stylist at Hair Nova Angel explains what causes hair breakage, how to tell if your hair is breaking rather than shedding, and the habits and treatments that stop it.

What Causes Hair Breakage?

Hair breakage is rarely caused by one thing alone. The most common culprits are heat styling with hot tools on high settings, chemical processing such as colouring and bleaching, rough handling when the hair is wet and at its most fragile, tight hairstyles that put constant tension on the strands, sulphate shampoos that strip moisture, and going too long without a trim so split ends travel up and snap the hair higher. Dryness and a lack of protein and moisture are the underlying conditions that make all of these worse.

Hair Breakage vs Hair Shedding

It helps to know the difference, because the solutions are different. Shedding is normal hair reaching the end of its natural cycle and releasing from the root, complete with a small white bulb at the end. Breakage produces short, uneven strands with no bulb, because the hair has snapped mid-shaft. If the strands you are finding are all roughly the same short length and have no bulb, breakage is the issue, not shedding.

How to Stop Hair Breakage at Home

The good news is that most hair breakage responds quickly to a few consistent changes:

Switch to a sulphate-free shampoo and condition every time you wash, focusing conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends.
Always apply a heat protectant before any hot tool and turn the temperature down to a moderate setting.
Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb or soft brush, starting from the ends and working upwards.
Swap rough cotton pillowcases and towels for silk or microfiber to reduce friction.
Avoid tight ponytails, braids and buns pulled so tightly they create tension at the root.
Book a trim every six to eight weeks to remove split ends before they travel up the strand.

The Role of Moisture in Preventing Breakage

Dry hair is brittle hair, and brittle hair breaks. Keeping your hair well hydrated is the foundation of preventing breakage, which means a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, a weekly deep-conditioning or bond-repair mask, and a lightweight leave-in for daily moisture. Avoid overwashing, which strips your natural oils, and seal your ends with a small amount of oil to lock moisture in and keep them smooth.

Can Nutrition Cause Hair Breakage?

Yes, what you eat shows up in your hair. Deficiencies in protein, iron, zinc, biotin and vitamin D all reduce hair strength and resilience, making strands more prone to snapping. If your breakage is severe or sudden and does not improve with better hair care, it is worth checking in with your GP, as nutritional deficiencies and thyroid issues are common and very treatable underlying causes.

Salon Treatments That Repair Breakage

When breakage is caused by damage from colouring or heat, professional bond-repair and deep-conditioning treatments rebuild strength from the inside out, far more effectively than home products alone. A stylist can also assess where your breakage is worst and recommend the right trim and treatment plan. Explore our hair colour in Islington services if chemical damage is a factor, and we will advise on the best approach.

Does Hair Type Affect Breakage?

Yes, some hair types are more prone to breakage than others, which is useful to know so you can tailor your routine. Fine hair has a thinner shaft and less structural strength, so it snaps more easily under heat and tension. Curly and coily hair is naturally drier because oils struggle to travel down the curl, making it more brittle if moisture levels drop. Chemically processed or coloured hair is more porous and fragile than virgin hair. None of these mean breakage is inevitable; they just mean these hair types need a little extra care, gentler handling and more consistent moisture than straighter, thicker hair.

When to See a Stylist About Hair Breakage

If you have made changes to your routine and your hair is still breaking heavily, or if you notice your hair feels significantly thinner or shorter despite growing, it is worth booking in. A stylist can spot whether breakage is coming from the ends, the mid-shaft or near the roots, which points to different causes and different solutions. Early action always saves more length in the long run.

FAQ

Heat styling, chemical processing, tight hairstyles, rough handling, sulphate shampoos, dryness, and going too long without a trim are the most common causes.

Breakage produces short strands with no white bulb at the root. Natural shedding produces full-length strands with a small white bulb. If you see lots of short snapped pieces, that is breakage.

Use sulphate-free products, apply heat protectant, detangle gently from the ends up, sleep on silk, avoid tight styles, add a weekly conditioning mask, and trim every six to eight weeks.

Yes. Once you address the cause and improve your hair care routine, new growth comes in healthy and the breakage slows. Existing broken strands cannot be repaired, but they can be trimmed off.

The post How to Stop Hair Breakage for Good appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How to Make Your Hair Colour Last Longer

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:13:35 +0000

How to Make Your Hair Colour Last Longer

Getting your hair coloured is an investment, and watching it fade too quickly is one of the most common frustrations our clients share. The good news is that how long your colour lasts is largely in your hands. A few consistent habits at home can keep your shade vibrant for weeks longer than doing nothing at all. In this guide, a colourist at Hair Nova Angel shares the most effective ways to make your hair colour last, from the first wash to protecting it day to day.

Wait Before Your First Wash

The single easiest thing you can do is wait at least 48 hours before washing your hair after a colour appointment. The colour needs time to fully settle and bond into the hair, and washing too soon is one of the most common reasons it fades fast. When you do wash for the first time, use lukewarm water rather than hot, and be gentle.

Switch to a Colour-Safe Shampoo

Sulphate shampoos are harsh detergents that strip colour molecules out of the hair with every wash. Switching to a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo and conditioner is one of the most effective changes you can make. It is the single product swap that makes the biggest difference to how long your colour stays vibrant.

Wash Less Often

Every wash fades your colour a little. Cutting down from daily washing to two or three times a week dramatically slows fading. On non-wash days, a light dry shampoo keeps roots fresh without putting your colour through unnecessary water exposure.

Use Cooler Water

Hot water swells the hair shaft and lets colour escape. Washing with lukewarm water, and finishing with a cool rinse to seal the cuticle, keeps colour molecules locked in and adds visible shine at the same time.

Protect from Heat and Sun

Heat styling and UV rays both break down colour molecules. Always apply a heat protectant before any hot tool, and in strong sun use a UV-protective leave-in or wear a hat. Sun exposure is a major cause of colour fading that most people overlook, especially in summer.

Hard Water and Colour Fading

If you live in a hard-water area, mineral build-up on your hair can pull colour dull and lifeless faster than washing alone. A weekly chelating or clarifying treatment removes the mineral film, letting your colour show through properly. A shower filter is a longer-term fix that makes a noticeable difference to how your colour looks and how long it stays vibrant, and it is particularly worth considering if your colour fades unusually quickly despite a good routine.

Swimming and Sun: Protecting Colour on Holiday

Chlorine and salt water are aggressive to coloured hair, stripping tone and adding unwanted warmth or discolouration. Before swimming, soak your hair with clean fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner to reduce absorption, then rinse and condition immediately after getting out. In strong sun, a UV-protective spray or a hat prevents the sun from fading and lifting your colour, which is especially important for blondes and reds that are prone to going brassy or dull outdoors.

Top Up with a Gloss or Toner

A professional gloss or toner between colour appointments refreshes your shade and adds shine without re-colouring the whole head. Booked every four to six weeks, it keeps colour looking freshly done and is one of the most cost-effective ways to extend the life of your colour. Explore our hair colour in Islington services to find the right top-up for your shade.

Can You Extend the Time Between Colour Appointments?

Yes, and a good routine is exactly what makes it possible. Most people who follow a colour-safe regimen with less frequent washing, cooler water and regular toning can comfortably stretch their full colour appointment to every eight to ten weeks rather than every six. The combination of a purple or colour-depositing shampoo at home, a professional gloss mid-cycle, and good heat and UV protection means your colour can look genuinely vibrant right up until your next appointment rather than fading noticeably in week three.

Use a Colour-Depositing Product

Between salon visits, a colour-depositing shampoo or conditioner adds a small amount of pigment with every use, which keeps tone rich and vivid. For blondes a purple shampoo controls brassiness, while brunettes and reds benefit from a colour-enhancing conditioner matched to their shade.

Book Your Colour Appointment at Hair Nova Angel

Ready to refresh your colour or book a gloss? Book online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King's Cross Station.

FAQ

Wait 48 hours before the first wash, use sulphate-free products, wash less often in cooler water, protect from heat and sun, and book a gloss or toner top-up every four to six weeks.

Yes. Hot water opens the cuticle and lets colour molecules escape. Washing in lukewarm water and rinsing with cool water at the end makes a real difference to how long colour lasts.

Two to three times a week is ideal. Every wash fades colour slightly, so reducing frequency with a sulphate-free shampoo is the simplest way to keep your shade vibrant for longer.

Yes. A professional gloss seals the cuticle, refreshes your tone and adds shine, keeping colour looking fresh between full appointments for a fraction of the cost of a re-colour.

The post How to Make Your Hair Colour Last Longer appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How to Get Rid of Brassy Hair and Keep It Away

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:07:42 +0000

How to Get Rid of Brassy Hair and Keep It Away

If your once-cool blonde or rich brunette has taken on an unwanted warm, orange or yellow tinge, you are dealing with brassy hair, and you are far from alone. Brassy hair is one of the most common colour frustrations we hear about, and it happens to almost everyone with lightened hair eventually. The good news is that it is both fixable and preventable once you understand why it happens. In this guide, a colourist at Hair Nova Angel explains what causes brassy hair, how to get rid of it at home, and how to keep your colour cool and fresh for longer.

What Causes Brassy Hair?

Brassy hair happens because of the natural pigment hiding underneath your colour. When hair is lightened, the bleach lifts your natural colour and exposes the warm undertones beneath, which are yellow in blondes and orange or red in darker hair. Your colourist then adds a toner to neutralise those warm tones and create your cool, even shade. Over time and with every wash, that toner gradually fades, and the warm underlying pigment starts to show through again. That resurfacing warmth is exactly what we call brass.

Why Does Colour Turn Warm Over Time?

Several everyday factors speed up how quickly your colour turns brassy. Sulphate shampoos strip the toner and colour molecules faster, hot water and heat styling open the cuticle and release tone, and UV rays from the sun break down the colour while adding warmth. Hard water is a big and often overlooked culprit too, as the minerals it leaves behind cause dullness and discolouration, and chlorine from swimming pools can turn blonde hair brassy or even green. The more of these your hair meets, the faster the brass returns.

How to Get Rid of Brassy Hair at Home

There are several effective ways to tackle brassy hair between salon visits. The most popular is a toning shampoo, which deposits a small amount of colour-correcting pigment every time you wash. For a bigger boost, a toning mask or a colour-depositing gloss adds more pigment and conditions at the same time. If your hair feels coated and dull from mineral build-up, a clarifying or chelating wash first can make a real difference. These home fixes are brilliant for maintenance, though they refresh rather than fully re-tone your colour.

Purple vs Blue Shampoo for Brassy Hair

Choosing the right toning shampoo comes down to the colour wheel, where opposite colours cancel each other out. If your brassy hair looks yellow, which is usual for blondes, a purple shampoo neutralises it, because purple sits opposite yellow. If your brassiness looks orange, which is common in brunettes and darker hair, a blue shampoo is the one you need, as blue sits opposite orange. Matching the product to the exact tone of your brass is the secret to a genuinely cool result rather than a muddy one.

How to Use Toning Shampoo Correctly

Toning shampoos are powerful, so using them correctly matters. Use them only once or twice a week rather than every wash, apply to wet hair and leave for the recommended time, usually around two to five minutes, then rinse with cool water and follow with conditioner. Do not be tempted to leave it on longer than directed, as overusing purple or blue shampoo can leave a dull, grey or even violet cast that is hard to shift. On the other days, stick to your regular colour-safe shampoo.

How to Prevent Brassy Hair

Preventing brass is far easier than correcting it, and a few habits keep your colour cool for much longer:

Switch to a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, as sulphates strip toner fastest.
Wash less often and with cooler water to slow down fading.
Use a toning shampoo or mask once or twice a week to top up the pigment.
Protect your hair from the sun with a hat or a UV-protective spray.
Rinse your hair and apply a leave-in before swimming to guard against chlorine.
If you have hard water, use a weekly clarifying or chelating treatment to remove mineral build-up.

Brassy Hair on Brunettes vs Blondes

Brassy hair is not only a blonde problem, though blondes notice it most. In lightened blonde hair the brass shows up as yellow or gold, which is why purple products are the fix. In brunette or dark hair that has been coloured or highlighted, the underlying warmth is orange or red, so the brass reads as a coppery, orange tone and needs a blue product instead. Even naturally dark hair lightened just a couple of shades can go brassy, so the same rules apply whatever your base colour; you simply match the toning product to the tone you are fighting.

Does Hard Water Cause Brassy Hair?

Yes, hard water is one of the most underestimated causes of brassy hair. Water that is high in minerals like calcium and iron leaves a film on the hair that dulls colour and pulls it warm and orange over time, and it also stops your products working as well as they should. If you live in a hard-water area and your colour keeps going brassy quickly no matter what you do, this is very often the hidden reason. A weekly clarifying or chelating treatment, or a shower filter, can make a genuinely noticeable difference.

How Long Before Brassy Hair Comes Back?

It varies from person to person, but most people start to notice brassy hair creeping back around four to eight weeks after their colour, depending on how often they wash, the products they use, and their exposure to sun and hard water. Home toning shampoos and masks help stretch that window, while a professional toner or gloss resets it completely. Building good habits, washing less, using colour-safe products and topping up with a toner, is what keeps the gap between brassy phases as long as possible.

Professional Fixes That Last

When brass is stubborn, uneven, or you simply want that just-left-the-salon finish, a professional toner or gloss is the most effective fix. Applied by a colourist, a toner precisely neutralises your exact undertones, while a glaze or gloss locks in the tone and adds serious shine. Booked every six to eight weeks alongside your colour, it keeps brassiness away far better than home products alone. Explore our hair colour in Islington services and we will keep your shade beautifully cool.

Professional Fixes That Last

When brass is stubborn, uneven, or you simply want that just-left-the-salon finish, a professional toner or gloss is the most effective fix. Applied by a colourist, a toner precisely neutralises your exact undertones, while a glaze or gloss locks in the tone and adds serious shine. Booked every six to eight weeks alongside your colour, it keeps brassiness away far better than home products alone. Explore our hair colour in Islington services and we will keep your shade beautifully cool.

When to See a Colourist

Home toning is great for maintenance, but some situations really need a professional. If your hair has turned very orange, the brassiness is patchy or uneven, purple and blue shampoos are not shifting it, or you want to correct a home-colour mishap, it is time to book in. Trying to fix serious brass yourself, especially with box dye, often makes it worse and harder to correct. A colourist can assess your hair and re-tone it safely to the shade you actually wan

Book Your Colour Appointment at Hair Nova Angel

Ready to banish the brass for good? Book online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King’s Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday, and happy to keep your colour cool, fresh and glossy.

FAQ

Lightening exposes the warm pigment beneath your colour. As the toner your colourist added fades with washing, those yellow or orange tones resurface, sped up by hard water, sun and sulphate shampoos.

Yes, for yellow brassiness in blonde hair, as purple neutralises yellow. For orange brassiness in brunette or darker hair, use a blue shampoo instead. Use once or twice a week.

Once or twice a week is plenty. Overusing purple or blue shampoo can leave a dull, grey or violet cast, so follow the timing on the bottle and rinse with cool water.

Use sulphate-free, colour-safe products, wash less in cooler water, protect against UV and chlorine, tackle hard-water build-up, and book a professional toner or gloss every six to eight weeks.

The post How to Get Rid of Brassy Hair and Keep It Away appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

Best Hair Extension Method for You: Which One Actually Wins?

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:47:36 +0000

Best Hair Extension Method for You: Which One Actually Wins?

Okay, let’s talk extensions, because the second you start looking into them you get hit with a wall of names: tape-in, sew-in, micro-ring, clip-in, keratin bond. Confusing, right? Here is the fun part: instead of ranking them by boring technical specs, we are matching each method to an actual goal, first-timer nerves, maximum volume, zero maintenance, big budget, tiny budget, so you can find your winner fast. A stylist at Hair Nova Angel breaks it all down below.

Best for First-Timers: Tape-In Extensions

New to extensions? Start here. Tape-ins are quick to fit, usually under an hour for a full head, and they lie completely flat, so there is no bulky base to get used to. They are one of the gentlest options out there, which makes them the low-pressure way to dip a toe into the extensions world.

The only commitment is a move-up every six to eight weeks, easy to build into your routine once you know you love the look.

They typically need a move-up every six to eight weeks as your natural hair grows and the tape shifts away from the root.

Best for Maximum Volume: Sew-In Wefts

Want serious, jaw-dropping fullness? Sew-in wefts are the volume champions. Your natural hair is braided into secure tracks, then wefts are sewn on, which means way more hair can be carried without any single strand bearing the weight.

It is the go-to method for anyone chasing a thick, luscious result that photographs beautifully and holds up through everyday styling.

Best for Long-Lasting, Low-Fuss Wear: Micro-Ring Extensions

If you want to install once and barely think about it for weeks, micro-rings are your winner. Tiny silicone-lined rings clamp sections of extension hair to your own, no heat, no glue, and the strand-by-strand placement gives an incredibly natural, undetectable root.

Yes, application takes a little longer, but the payoff is a longer stretch between appointments and gorgeous natural movement.

Best for the Most Seamless, Longest-Wear Finish: Keratin Bonds

For the ultimate blend-in, move-like-your-own-hair result, keratin bonds are hard to beat. Small sections are fused using heat, giving one of the most seamless, long-lasting finishes in the extensions world.

This one is best left to an experienced technician given the heat involved, but for clients with thicker, resilient hair, the results speak for themselves.

Best for Zero Commitment: Clip-In Extensions

Big event, spontaneous night out, or just want to test the extensions look before committing? Clip-ins are your answer. Pop them in, whip them out, no salon appointments, no move-ups, no ongoing tension on your natural hair.

They are the most flexible option out there and widely considered the gentlest, since your hair only carries the extra weight when you actually want it to.

Best on a Budget: Tape-In or Clip-In

If cost is the deciding factor, tape-ins and clip-ins usually come out on top. Clip-ins need zero ongoing salon spend since you control when you wear them, while tape-ins offer a brilliant balance of an affordable upfront cost with a fuller, everyday look.

So, Which One Actually Wins for You?

Here is the honest truth: the winning method is whichever one matches your goal, your hair density, and how much upkeep you actually want to commit to, not whichever one is trending. Bring your goals to your consultation, be upfront about your hair history, and let your stylist match you to the technique that will genuinely work.

Find Your Winning Extension Method at Hair Nova Angel

Ready to find your match? Explore our hair extensions in Islington services and our specialist stylists will match you to the perfect method for your hair goals.

To book, reserve online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King’s Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday.

FAQ

There is no single winner, it depends on your goal. Tape-ins win for low maintenance, sew-ins and micro-rings win for longevity, and clip-ins win for occasional glam with zero commitment.

Tape-ins are usually the easiest first move: quick to apply, gentle on your natural hair, and simple to get used to before you commit to anything longer-term.

Sew-in wefts are the go-to for serious volume, since the braided base can carry more hair without weighing down individual strands.

Clip-ins are the most budget-friendly since there is no ongoing salon maintenance, though tape-ins offer the best balance of low upfront cost and a fuller, semi-permanent look.

The post Best Hair Extension Method for You: Which One Actually Wins? appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How Long Does Balayage Really Last? A Colourist’s Honest Guide

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:17:42 +0000

How Long Does Balayage Really Last? A Colourist’s Honest Guide

It is one of the most common questions a colourist hears: how long does balayage actually last? The honest answer depends on your hair, your starting colour, and how you look after it afterwards, but there is a reliable range to expect. In this guide, a colourist at Hair Nova Angel explains exactly what affects balayage longevity, the signs it is time for a refresh, and how to stretch your result for as long as possible.

So, How Long Does Balayage Actually Last?

On average, balayage lasts around eight to sixteen weeks before a full refresh is needed. Because the colour is painted on rather than applied root to tip, the grow-out is soft and gradual, so most clients do not feel rushed back into the chair the way they might with traditional highlights.

Some clients comfortably stretch their balayage to four or five months with the right maintenance routine and a slower rate of hair growth.

What Affects How Long Your Balayage Lasts

Several factors influence longevity: your natural hair colour, how much lightening was involved, how fast your hair grows, and how well you care for it at home. Cooler, lighter blondes tend to need more frequent tone refreshes than warmer, honey-toned balayage, which is naturally more forgiving as it fades.

Heat styling, sun exposure, chlorine, and washing with hot water can all speed up fading, so your everyday habits matter as much as the initial service.

Signs Your Balayage Needs a Refresh

Look out for brassiness or a dull, flat tone creeping in, noticeable regrowth at the root, or ends that look more washed-out than dimensional. If your balayage starts to feel one-note rather than multi-tonal, that is usually the clearest sign it is time to book back in.

How to Make Your Balayage Last Longer

Switch to a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, and wash a little less often with cooler water where you can. A weekly nourishing mask and a heat protectant before styling both help keep the colour glossy and healthy-looking for longer.

A colour-depositing shampoo or purple shampoo for blondes can also help maintain your tone between salon visits, though it should not replace a professional toner altogether.

Balayage vs Highlights: Which Lasts Longer?

Balayage generally outlasts traditional foiled highlights, which often need attention every six to eight weeks as the regrowth line becomes more obvious. This is one of the main reasons clients choose balayage when they want a lower-maintenance colour service.

Should You Get a Gloss or Toner Between Appointments?

Yes, a gloss or toner at around the six to eight week mark is one of the easiest ways to extend your balayage without committing to a full refresh. It refreshes the tone, cuts through any brassiness, and can comfortably push your next full appointment out by several weeks.

When to Book Your Next Balayage Appointment

As a general rule, book your refresh around the twelve week mark, and bring photos of how your colour looked fresh so your colourist can match the intended tone and placement. If you are planning around an event, book a few weeks ahead of time to leave room for a toner top-up closer to the date.

Book Your Balayage at Hair Nova Angel

Ready for balayage that lasts? Explore our hair colour in Islington services and our expert colourists will tailor a low-maintenance balayage to suit you.

To book, reserve online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King’s Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday.

FAQ

On dark hair, balayage often lasts on the longer end of the scale, sometimes sixteen weeks or more, because there is less contrast as the natural colour grows through underneath.

Balayage and highlights fade at similar rates in terms of tone, but balayage regrowth is far less noticeable, so it generally needs a full refresh less often than foiled highlights.

Most clients benefit from a toner or gloss every six to eight weeks to keep brassiness at bay and stretch the life of their balayage between full appointments.

Yes, with the right at-home care, a good toner routine, and slower-growing hair, many clients comfortably stretch their balayage to four or five months before a full refresh.

The post How Long Does Balayage Really Last? A Colourist’s Honest Guide appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How Often Should You Get a Root Touch-Up?

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:52:34 +0000

How Often Should You Get a Root Touch-Up?

A root touch-up is one of the most requested colour appointments, and one of the most common questions a colourist hears is simply: how often should I be doing this? The right answer depends on your hair growth, your natural colour, and whether you are covering grey. In this guide, a colourist at Hair Nova Angel walks through a realistic touch-up timeline, so you can plan your colour appointments with confidence.

Why Root Touch-Ups Matter

As your hair grows, your natural colour becomes visible at the root, creating a line between your natural shade and your coloured lengths. A root touch-up simply colours that new growth to match the rest of your hair, keeping your overall colour looking fresh and seamless rather than patchy.

The Average Root Touch-Up Timeline

Most clients book a root touch-up every four to six weeks. This is a general guide rather than a strict rule, as hair grows at different rates and some regrowth lines are far less noticeable than others.

If your colour is close to your natural shade, you may be able to stretch this out, whereas a bigger contrast between your natural and coloured hair usually means booking in sooner.

What Affects How Often You Need a Touch-Up

Hair growth speed varies from person to person, and faster-growing hair naturally needs more frequent touch-ups. The contrast between your natural colour and your dyed colour also plays a big role, as does whether you are covering grey, which tends to show through more obviously than a subtle colour change.

Root Touch-Ups for Grey Coverage

Grey regrowth is usually the most visible of all, since it contrasts sharply against most colours. Clients covering grey often find they need a touch-up every three to five weeks to keep the root line from becoming obvious, particularly around the hairline and parting.

Signs You Are Overdue for a Touch-Up

A clear stripe of regrowth at the parting, a noticeable change in texture where colour meets natural hair, or grey coming through at the root are all signs it is time to book. If you find yourself reaching for a root concealer spray more than once a week, that is usually a good cue too.

Can You Leave It Too Long?

Leaving a long gap between touch-ups is not harmful to your hair, but it can make the eventual appointment longer and sometimes trickier, especially if there has been a lot of regrowth or fading in between. It can also mean more product and time is needed to blend everything evenly.

Root Touch-Up vs Full Colour Refresh

A root touch-up focuses only on the new growth at the root, while a full colour refresh recolours the mid-lengths and ends as well, often alongside a gloss or toner. Most clients alternate between the two, booking a root-only appointment most visits and a fuller refresh every few appointments to keep the overall colour vibrant.

How to Make Time Between Touch-Ups Easier

A good root concealer spray or powder can bridge the gap between appointments if you need a few extra days. Booking your next touch-up before you leave the salon is also one of the easiest ways to stay on schedule, especially with a busy diary.

Book Your Root Touch-Up at Hair Nova Angel

Ready to keep your colour looking fresh? Explore our hair colour in Islington services and our expert colourists will help you find the right touch-up schedule for you.

To book, reserve online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King’s Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday.

FAQ

Most clients need a root touch-up every four to six weeks, though this varies depending on your hair growth rate, how close your colour is to your natural shade, and whether you are covering grey.

Yes, grey coverage is usually the most visible regrowth, so clients covering grey often book every three to five weeks to keep the root line from showing.

It is best to avoid home root touch-up kits between professional appointments, as they can react unpredictably with your salon colour and make future colouring harder to get right.

Yes, a root touch-up is usually quicker and less expensive than a full colour appointment, since it only involves colouring the new growth rather than the whole head.

The post How Often Should You Get a Root Touch-Up? appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How to Prepare for Your Hair Colour Appointment

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:48:48 +0000

How to Prepare for Your Hair Colour Appointment

A little preparation before your colour appointment can be the difference between a good result and a truly stunning one. Turning up with your hair in the right condition, the right references in hand, and honest information for your colourist helps them give you exactly the shade you are dreaming of. In this guide, a colourist at Hair Nova Angel explains everything you should do before your colour appointment, from washing to what to bring, so you get the best possible result on the day.

Why Preparing for Your Colour Appointment Matters

Colour is a chemical process, and how your hair arrives on the day genuinely affects how the colour takes. A well-prepared colour appointment means truer results, less time in the chair, and healthier hair afterwards. It also gives your colourist the clearest possible picture of what you want and what your hair can realistically achieve, which is the secret to leaving happy.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before a Colour Appointment?

This is the most common question, and the answer is usually no, do not arrive with freshly washed hair. Colour actually grabs better on hair with a day or two of natural oils, which also protect your scalp from any irritation during the process. That said, avoid arriving with heavily product-laden, dirty, or dry-shampoo-caked hair, as build-up can stop colour developing evenly. Clean but not squeaky-clean, roughly a day after washing, is the sweet spot for most colour appointments.

What to Do the Week Before

The week leading up to your appointment matters too. Give your hair a nourishing treatment or mask a few days before, so it is in the healthiest condition to take colour. Avoid using any box dye or home colour in the run-up, as it can react unpredictably with professional products. If you are trying a brand-new colour or salon, make sure a patch test is arranged at least 48 hours in advance, as this is essential for your safety.

What to Bring to Your Colour Appointment

Come to your colour appointment prepared with a few key things. Bring several clear inspiration photos of the shade you love, ideally in natural light, as well as photos of colours you dislike, which are just as useful. It also helps to know your hair history and to think about how much upkeep you are realistically willing to commit to, so your colourist can suggest something that fits your lifestyle as well as your taste.

Be Honest About Your Hair History

This is the single most important thing you can do. Always tell your colourist about anything your hair has had done, even years ago, including box dye, henna, previous bleach, toners and chemical treatments. These can dramatically affect how new colour develops, sometimes in surprising ways, and hiding them is the most common cause of disappointing results. Your colourist is never judging, they simply need the full picture to give you a beautiful, safe result.

What to Expect on the Day

Your appointment will usually start with a consultation, where your colourist discusses your goal, examines your hair and confirms the plan. Depending on the service, they may do a strand test, and for new clients a patch test should already have been done. From there the colour is applied, developed, rinsed, toned and styled. Trust your colourist's guidance on the day, as they may adjust the plan slightly to protect your hair or improve the result.

Preparing for a Longer Session

Colour services, especially lightening or a full transformation, can take several hours, so a little practical preparation makes the day more comfortable. Wear a dark top or something you do not mind getting colour on, eat beforehand so you are not hungry, and bring a charger, headphones or a book to relax with. Clearing your schedule so you are not clock-watching also means you can enjoy the pampering rather than rushing.

How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Colour Appointment?

For a regular root tint or gloss, a week or two of notice is usually plenty. For bigger transformations, such as going significantly lighter, correcting a previous colour, or booking around a wedding or event, give as much notice as you can, ideally several weeks. Popular colourists get booked up quickly, and lightening journeys sometimes need more than one session spaced apart to protect your hair. Booking your colour appointment early also means you can fit in a patch test and, if needed, a separate consultation beforehand.

What Not to Do Before Your Colour Appointment

Just as important as the right preparation is avoiding a few common mistakes before your colour appointment. Do not use box dye, henna or a colour-depositing shampoo in the weeks beforehand, as these interfere with professional colour. Do not arrive with heavily coated, waxy or dry-shampoo-laden hair. Avoid washing your hair right before you arrive, and do not skip the patch test if you have been asked to do one. Finally, try not to come with an unrealistic single reference photo and expect an exact match, as your starting colour matters enormously.

Preparing for Your First Colour Appointment

If it is your first colour appointment at a new salon, there are a couple of extras worth knowing. A patch test is legally and safely required at least 48 hours in advance for anyone new or trying a new product, so factor that in. It is also worth booking a consultation first if you are planning a big change, so your colourist can assess your hair and set realistic expectations before the day itself. Arriving informed and relaxed makes your first experience a great one.

Can You Get Colour Done on Damaged Hair?

It depends on the condition of your hair and the service you want. Mild dryness is usually fine, and your colourist may recommend a bond-building additive during the service to protect your strands. However, if your hair is very damaged, over-processed or breaking, your colourist may advise a course of treatments first, or a gentler approach such as a gloss or lowlights rather than heavy lightening. This is exactly why an honest consultation matters, as pushing damaged hair too far is how colour disasters happen. Trust your colourist if they suggest strengthening your hair before a big change.

Aftercare: Protecting Your New Colour

Preparation does not stop when you leave the salon, because how you care for your colour afterwards decides how long it stays beautiful. Wait at least 48 hours before your first wash, then switch to a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo and conditioner and wash a little less often with cooler water. A weekly nourishing mask and a heat protectant keep the colour glossy, and a toner or gloss top-up between appointments keeps the tone fresh. Ask your colourist to recommend products suited to your exact shade.

Book Your Colour Appointment at Hair Nova Angel

Ready for your best colour yet? Explore our hair colour in Islington services and our expert colourists will tailor the perfect shade to you.To book, reserve online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King's Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday.

FAQ

Usually no. Colour takes better on hair with a day or two of natural oils, which also protect your scalp. Just avoid heavy product or dry-shampoo build-up.

Everything your hair has had done, including box dye, henna, bleach and toners, even years ago, as these affect how new colour develops. Bring inspiration photos too.

It depends on the service. A root tint may take one to two hours, while a full colour, balayage or lightening transformation can take three to four hours or more.

If you are a new client or trying a new colour, yes, a patch test is needed at least 48 hours before, for your safety. Your salon will arrange this when you book.

The post How to Prepare for Your Hair Colour Appointment appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

Balayage vs Highlights: Which Should You Choose?

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:38:04 +0000

Balayage vs Highlights: Which Should You Choose?

If you are booking a colour appointment and cannot decide between balayage vs highlights, you are asking one of the most common questions our colourists hear. Both give you lighter, brighter, more dimensional hair, but they are created using completely different techniques and they behave very differently as they grow out. Understanding balayage vs highlights is the key to choosing the look that suits your hair, your lifestyle and your maintenance budget. In this guide, a colourist at Hair Nova Angel breaks down the difference so you can walk into your appointment knowing exactly what you want.

What Is Balayage?

Balayage is a freehand colouring technique where lightener is hand-painted onto the surface of the hair, rather than saturated from root to tip. The word comes from the French for 'to sweep', which is exactly the motion your colourist uses. The result is a soft, sun-kissed, natural-looking finish that is lighter towards the ends and blends seamlessly into your base. Because the colour is painted away from the roots, balayage grows out very softly with no harsh regrowth line, which is what makes it so low-maintenance.

What Are Highlights?

Highlights are created by taking small, precise sections of hair and wrapping them in foils with lightener, from the root down. This traditional foil technique gives a more uniform, all-over brightness and can lift the hair lighter than balayage, because the foil holds heat and keeps the lightener active. Highlights are brilliant for maximum lightness and an even, polished result, but because they start at the root, they create more visible regrowth and need refreshing more often.

Balayage vs Highlights: The Key Differences

Here is how balayage vs highlights compare at a glance:

Technique: balayage is hand-painted on the surface; highlights are foiled in precise sections from the root.
Look: balayage is soft and natural; highlights are brighter and more uniform.
Regrowth: balayage grows out with no harsh line; highlights show a clear regrowth line sooner.
Lift: highlights can go lighter overall; balayage keeps depth through the roots.
Placement: balayage focuses on the mid-lengths and ends; highlights run all the way up.

Balayage vs Highlights: Maintenance and Upkeep

Maintenance is often the deciding factor in balayage vs highlights. Balayage is the low-maintenance choice, with most clients needing a refresh only every three to four months, plus the occasional toner or gloss to keep the tone fresh. Highlights, because they begin at the root, usually need topping up every six to eight weeks to avoid an obvious grow-out. If you want gorgeous colour without frequent salon visits, balayage wins; if you love a consistently bright, freshly-done look and do not mind regular appointments, highlights are ideal.

Balayage vs Highlights: Which Suits Your Hair?

Your hair and lifestyle should guide the choice. Balayage suits those who want a natural, lived-in look, have a busy schedule, or are lightening their hair for the first time and want something easy to maintain. Highlights suit those who want maximum brightness, an even and polished finish, or who are covering more of the hair. Your natural base colour, length and condition all play a part too, which is why a consultation is always the best starting point.

Cost and Appointment Time

Both services vary in price depending on your hair length, thickness and the amount of work involved, and both are skilled, time-intensive services. As a general guide, a full balayage and a full head of highlights are similar in commitment on the day, often taking a couple of hours or more. Where they differ is long-term cost: balayage needs fewer appointments over the year, while highlights need more frequent upkeep, so factor that into your budget when deciding.

Balayage vs Highlights for Different Hair Types

Your hair type also shapes the balayage vs highlights decision. Balayage tends to look especially beautiful on longer hair, where there is room for the colour to melt from darker roots to lighter ends, and it flatters wavy and curly hair because the hand-painting follows the movement. Highlights can be the stronger choice on shorter hair or when you want brightness right through, since foils give control and even coverage on every length. Darker bases sometimes need highlights or a foilayage approach to lift enough, while lighter bases take balayage beautifully. Your colourist will factor all of this in.

How to Keep Your Colour Looking Fresh

Whichever you choose, aftercare protects your investment. Use a sulphate-free, colour-safe shampoo and conditioner, wash a little less often with cooler water, and add a weekly nourishing mask to keep lightened hair glossy rather than dry. A toner or gloss top-up between appointments keeps the tone true, which matters most for cooler blondes. With balayage you will visit less often, but the home care that keeps colour vibrant is the same for both techniques.

Can You Combine Balayage and Highlights?

Yes, and many clients do. Techniques like foilayage combine the hand-painting of balayage with the heat and precision of foils to get extra lift while keeping a soft, blended finish. Adding fine highlights or babylights around the face can also brighten a balayage beautifully. If you are torn between the two, your colourist can often give you the best of both, tailored to your hair.

How Long Does Each Technique Take to Grow Out?

Grow-out is where balayage vs highlights differ most in everyday life. Because balayage is painted away from the roots, it grows out softly and invisibly, so even at three or four months there is no obvious line, just a gradual return to your natural base. Highlights, starting at the root, develop a clearer band of regrowth as your hair grows, which is why they need refreshing sooner. If the idea of visible roots bothers you, or you simply want longer gaps between appointments, balayage is the more forgiving choice as it fades and grows out gracefully.

Book Your Colour Appointment at Hair Nova Angel

Still not sure which is for you? Our colourists will assess your hair and recommend the perfect approach. Book a consultation for hair colour in Islington and we will help you decide.

Ready to book? Book online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King’s Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Balayage is hand-painted onto the surface of the hair for a soft, natural finish, while highlights are foiled in precise sections from the root for a brighter, more uniform result.

Balayage lasts longer between appointments, usually three to four months, because it grows out with no harsh line. Highlights need refreshing every six to eight weeks.

Balayage is often ideal for first-timers, as it looks natural and is low-maintenance. Highlights suit those who want maximum, even brightness and regular upkeep.

Yes. Techniques like foilayage blend both, and adding babylights around the face can brighten a balayage. Your colourist can tailor a mix to your hair.

The post Balayage vs Highlights: Which Should You Choose? appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How to Wash Hair Extensions: Without Damaging Them

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:34:18 +0000

How to Wash Hair Extensions: Without Damaging Them

Learning how to wash hair extensions correctly is one of the most important things you can do to keep them soft, shiny and long-lasting. Because extensions do not receive the natural oils your scalp produces, they need a gentler, more careful routine than your own hair, and the wrong technique is one of the fastest ways to cause tangling, dryness and slippage. In this guide, a stylist at Hair Nova Angel explains exactly how to wash hair extensions the right way, from how often to wash them to the products, technique and drying method that protect your investment.

How Often Should You Wash Hair Extensions?

Less often than you might think. Because extensions do not get oily at the root the way natural hair does, most people only need to wash hair extensions two to three times a week, or roughly every three to four wears. Over-washing strips moisture from hair that is already prone to dryness, leaving it dull and brittle. If your roots get greasy between washes, a light dry shampoo at the scalp keeps things fresh without putting the extensions through unnecessary washing.

Before You Wash: Always Brush First

Never get extensions wet without brushing them first, as wet hair tangles far more easily and matting around the bonds is hard to reverse. Using a soft loop brush or a wide-tooth comb, gently detangle from the ends upwards, holding the hair at the root to avoid tugging on the bonds. Once the hair is completely tangle-free, you are ready to wash.

How to Wash Hair Extensions Step by Step

Follow these steps every time for a safe, gentle wash:

Wet the hair with lukewarm water, letting it run downwards rather than piling hair on top of your head.
Apply a sulphate-free shampoo and massage it gently into the scalp with your fingertips, never scrubbing at the bonds.
Let the shampoo rinse down the lengths rather than lathering the mid-lengths and ends directly.
Apply conditioner only to the mid-lengths and ends, keeping it well away from the bonds or tape, as it can cause slippage.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water, which seals the cuticle and boosts shine, making sure no product is left behind.

The Best Products to Wash Hair Extensions With

Product choice makes a huge difference. Always use a sulphate-free, extension-safe shampoo and conditioner, because sulphates and harsh detergents strip both moisture and, if your extensions are coloured, tone. Avoid anything with high alcohol content or heavy oils near the bonds. A weekly lightweight, nourishing mask on the mid-lengths and ends helps replace the moisture extensions cannot get naturally, keeping them silky rather than straw-like.

How to Dry Extensions After Washing

Drying is just as important as washing. Gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel rather than rubbing, which causes friction and frizz. Let the hair air dry to around seventy to eighty percent, then, if you blow-dry, use a low or medium heat setting with a heat protectant, directing the airflow downwards to keep the cuticle smooth. Always dry the bond or tape area completely, as damp bonds can weaken and slip. Never go to bed with wet extensions.

Common Washing Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple errors cause most extension problems. The big ones are washing with hot water, getting conditioner or oil on the bonds, rubbing the hair roughly with a towel, brushing while soaking wet, and washing far too often. Avoiding these protects both the extensions and your natural hair underneath, and keeps your set looking salon-fresh for far longer.

How to Keep Hair Extensions Soft Between Washes

Because you should not wash hair extensions too often, keeping them soft and hydrated between washes matters. Extensions do not receive the natural oils from your scalp, so they dry out faster than your own hair. A light, water-based leave-in conditioner or a tiny amount of extension-safe oil worked through the mid-lengths and ends keeps them silky, but always keep these products well away from the bonds. Gentle daily brushing also helps by distributing what little natural oil there is down the hair shaft, and a silk pillowcase reduces the friction that causes dryness and frizz overnight

Signs You Are Washing Your Hair Extensions Wrong

Your extensions will usually tell you if your routine needs adjusting. Warning signs include persistent dryness or a straw-like feel, tangling that keeps returning near the bonds, slipping or loosening attachments, and a dull, lifeless look. These are almost always caused by washing too often, using the wrong products, getting conditioner on the bonds, or drying roughly. If you spot them, ease off the wash frequency, switch to sulphate-free products, and be gentler with drying. If the problem continues, book in and we will check the fitting and condition for you.

Does the Method Change How You Wash?

Slightly. Tape-in and nano ring extensions are washed as described above, with extra care to keep products off the attachment points. Clip-in extensions are different, as they are removed before washing and can be washed separately in a basin, then laid flat or hung to dry. Whatever your method, the golden rules stay the same: be gentle, keep product off the bonds, and never rush the drying.

Can You Wash Hair Extensions in the Shower?

Yes, you can wash hair extensions in the shower, and for most people it is the easiest way, but a couple of adjustments help. Let the water run downwards over the hair rather than tipping your head back and piling everything up, which tangles the lengths and stresses the bonds. Keep the water lukewarm rather than hot, and take care not to scrub the attachment points as you shampoo the scalp. If you find showering makes it hard to keep conditioner off the bonds, washing over a basin gives you more control. Either way, the same gentle principles apply.

Book Your Extension Appointment at Hair Nova Angel

Want your extensions checked, refreshed or refitted by a professional? Book a consultation for hair extensions in Islington and we will keep them in beautiful condition.

Ready to book? Book online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King’s Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you wash hair extensions?

Around two to three times a week, or every three to four wears. Extensions do not get oily at the root like natural hair, so over-washing only dries them out.

Can you get the bonds or tape wet?

Yes, they can get wet during washing, but do not soak or scrub them, and always dry the bond area completely afterwards, as damp bonds can weaken and slip.

What shampoo should I use on extensions?

A sulphate-free, extension-safe shampoo. Sulphates strip moisture and colour, and conditioner should be kept off the bonds to prevent slippage.

Can I wash my hair extensions every day?

It is not recommended. Because extensions do not receive your scalp’s natural oils, daily washing dries them out and shortens their lifespan.

The post How to Wash Hair Extensions: Without Damaging Them appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.

How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster and Healthier

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:16:08 +0000

How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster and Healthier

If you are trying to grow your hair and it feels like it has stalled, you are not imagining it, and the good news is that there is plenty you can do. Healthy hair growth is influenced by your habits, your scalp, your diet and how gently you treat your hair, not just genetics. In this stylist's guide from Hair Nova Angel, we explain how hair growth actually works, the habits that genuinely help, the myths to ignore, and how to grow your hair out without the awkward phases.

How Does Hair Growth Actually Work?

Understanding hair growth is the first step to improving it. Hair grows from the follicle at an average of around one centimetre, or roughly half an inch, a month, and every strand moves through a cycle: a growing phase that can last several years, a short transition phase, and a resting phase before the hair sheds and the cycle begins again. It is completely normal to lose fifty to a hundred hairs a day as part of this cycle. Because so much of this is set by genetics, age and hormones, the real question is not how to force faster growth, but how to keep every strand healthy enough to reach its full length.

The Truth About Faster Hair Growth

Here is the honest part most brands will not tell you: you cannot dramatically speed up how fast hair grows from the root, because that rate is largely genetic. What you absolutely can control is how much length you keep. Most people who feel their hair 'will not grow' are actually losing length to breakage and split ends as fast as it grows. So the single most effective approach to hair growth is protecting the hair you already have, so it reaches its full potential length instead of snapping off at the ends.

Does Cutting Your Hair Help Hair Growth?

This is the classic question, and the answer surprises people: trims do not make hair grow faster from the root, but they are still essential for length retention. When split ends are left, they travel up the strand and cause breakage higher up, which is what makes hair look like it has stopped growing. Regular trims every six to eight weeks remove those damaged ends before they spread, so your hair grows longer and looks thicker over time. Book a haircut in Islington to keep your ends healthy while you grow it out.

Everyday Habits That Support Hair Growth

Your daily routine has a bigger impact on hair growth than any single product. The habits that make the biggest difference are:

Handle hair gently, detangling from the ends up with a wide-tooth comb, never yanking from the roots.
Reduce heat styling, and always use a heat protectant when you do, since heat damage causes breakage.
Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the roots and can cause tension damage over time.
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce overnight friction and snapping.
Do not over-wash, as stripping the scalp of natural oils leaves hair dry and prone to breakage

Scalp Health: The Foundation of Hair Growth

Healthy hair growth starts at the scalp, because that is where the follicles live. A clean, well-circulated scalp gives hair the best environment to grow. Massaging your scalp for a few minutes a few times a week can help stimulate blood flow to the follicles, and keeping the scalp free of heavy product build-up prevents clogged follicles. If you struggle with flaking, oiliness or itchiness, addressing that scalp issue is often the missing piece in a hair growth routine. A weekly gentle scalp exfoliation can also lift build-up and dead skin that would otherwise sit around the follicles.

Foods and Nutrition for Hair Growth

Because hair is made of protein, what you eat genuinely shows up in your hair growth. A diet rich in protein gives hair its building blocks, while iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids all support healthy growth and strength. Staying hydrated matters too. You do not need expensive supplements for most people; a balanced, varied diet usually provides what your hair needs. If you suspect a deficiency, it is worth speaking to your GP, as low iron in particular is a common and treatable cause of hair feeling thinner.

Salon Treatments That Support Hair Growth

Professional treatments will not change your genetic growth rate, but they protect and strengthen hair so it retains length. Bond-repair and deep-conditioning treatments rebuild strength in dry or damaged hair, dramatically reducing the breakage that steals your length. Combined with regular trims and good scalp care, these treatments keep your hair in the healthiest possible condition to grow. Our stylists can assess your hair and recommend the right treatment plan for your goals, and pair it with realistic advice on the products worth using at home and the ones that are simply marketing.

Growing It Out Gracefully

The hardest part of growing your hair is often the awkward in-between phase, when layers and old cuts grow out unevenly. A skilled stylist can shape your hair as it grows so it always looks intentional rather than straggly. And if you want length or fullness right now while your natural hair catches up, professionally fitted hair extensions in Islington are a popular way to bridge the gap seamlessly.

Common Hair Growth Myths to Ignore

There is a lot of misinformation about hair growth, and believing it wastes time and money. Cutting your hair does not make it grow faster from the root, however often you hear it. Brushing one hundred strokes a day does not boost growth and can actually cause breakage. Most 'miracle' growth products cannot change your genetic growth rate, and shaving or trimming does not change how thick the hair grows back. The routines that genuinely work are the unglamorous ones: gentle handling, a healthy scalp, good nutrition and regular trims to protect your length.

It is also worth being patient and realistic. At around half an inch a month, meaningful length takes time, and comparing your progress week to week will only frustrate you. Take a photo every couple of months instead, and judge your hair growth over that longer window, where the difference is genuinely visible.

When to See a Professional About Hair Growth

Most slow growth is simply breakage and can be fixed with better habits and care. However, if you notice sudden or excessive shedding, visible thinning, or bald patches, it is worth seeing your GP or a trichologist, as these can have underlying causes such as stress, hormones, or nutritional deficiencies that are very treatable once identified. There is no harm in getting it checked, and early advice usually gives the best results.

Book Your Appointment at Hair Nova Angel

Ready to get your hair growing healthily again? Book online on Fresha, call 020 7993 5484, or message us on WhatsApp. We are two minutes from King's Cross Station, open Tuesday to Saturday, and happy to build a plan to grow your hair long and strong.

FAQ

On average about one centimetre, or half an inch, a month. This rate is mostly set by genetics, age and hormones, so the real goal is keeping every strand healthy enough to reach its full length.

No, trims do not speed growth from the root. But they remove split ends before they travel up and cause breakage, so regular trims help you keep length and your hair looks longer over time.

Protecting the hair you have: gentle handling, less heat, a healthy scalp, good nutrition, and regular trims. Most people lose length to breakage, so reducing that is the biggest win.

Yes. Professionally fitted extensions give instant length and fullness while your natural hair catches up, and a stylist can shape your hair so the grow-out phase never looks awkward.

The post How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster and Healthier appeared first on Hair Nova Angel.