advice from top stylists

found this in the london daily mail. can`t say i agree with everything, but take it for what it`s worth.

dan

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Copyright 2001 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
DAILY MAIL (London)

May 14, 2001

LENGTH: 678 words

HEADLINE: THE SHORT CUTS FOR LONG HAIR

BYLINE: DAILY MAIL REPORTER

BODY:
HAIRDRESSER

`It is possible to increase the growth rate of your hair,` says top
trichologist Philip Kingsley. `Hair grows on average half an inch a month, and
you can up this by 10pc.` But if you have fine hair like Jennifer Aniston`s,
however desperate you are, you must keep it trimmed every six weeks otherwise
the hair splits up the shaft and it will not grow at all.

Whatever steps Jennifer tries, she will eventually discover that we all have
a certain length our hair will grow to and stop, and that everyone`s hair grows
at different rates.

`You are either born with fast-growing hair or you are not,` says celebrity
hairdresser Richard Ward. `But during the summer months hair grows more rapidly.
However, when Jennifer had really long hair, it just looked split and
over-processed.

`Her hair is too fine to grow long. The Friends cut that was so famous was
the best style she`s ever had because it was cleverly layered to look long but
also much thicker.`

HOLISTIC APPROACH

However good your diet, stress stops the blood flowing through the body
efficiently. If the circulation is sluggish, minerals and vitamins cannot be
absorbed properly and the hair`s growth rate is slowed down. Anxiety can also
lead to the body releasing hormones that block the hair-lengthening process.

`Tension in the neck, shoulders and jaw can decrease the blood supply to
your head,` says Dr Jaimini Raniga, nutritionist and holistic therapist at
London`s Hale Clinic.

Jennifer would do well to try out relaxation treatments such as the Bowen
Technique, which involves loosening up the muscles with gentle massage. Yoga,
which Jennifer already practises, also promotes better breathing techniques.
This, in turn, clears the head area of mucus and stops the blockage of essential
vitamins and minerals hitting the right spot.

Head massage will also boost the scalp`s circulation. Bharti Vyas, therapist
to celebrities such as Cherie Blair, has developed a Promoter Hair Oil (GBP
14.99, 020 7486 7910) specifically for head massage. The oil, made with
Ayurvedic herbs, is best applied warm.

SUPPLEMENTS

Lucinda Ellery-Sharp, from West London hair salon Attention X, specialises
in helping women with hair-loss problems. She frequently suggests HSN-W, (GBP
8.79, 08458 40 50 60), a herbal combination tablet. `I have seen a visible
difference in hair quality in clients after 12 weeks,` says Lucinda.

Homeopaths usually prescribe silicea or sepia, although every patient
requires different treatment so see an expert.

Dr Jaimini Raniga suggests taking silicon supplements and adding coral
calcium granules to your daily two litres of drinking water, because this
balances the Ph level of the body.

Ayurvedic herbs also promote hair growth. Triphala (GBP 7.99, 020 7486 7910)
improves the scalp while aloe vera taken in juice form will give slow but
visible results.

NUTRITION

`Hair will grow more efficiently with the right nutrition,` says Dr Jaimini
Raniga. She advises clients to eat organic, fresh food which will have maximum
nutrients. `Your diet should be high in vegetables and fruit and low in junk
foods for good hair health.`

Jennifer Aniston says she eats healthily, but the Hollywood obsession with
dieting and her keenness to follow a low-carbohydrate diet, which involves
cutting out bread, pasta and potatoes, could mean she is missing out on
essential minerals and vitamins.

`The body does not view the hair as being an essential, so when the diet is
lacking the right nutrients, your hair will suffer,` says trichologist Philip
Kingsley.

CHEAT

Jennifer could take a tip from supermodel Kate Moss, singer Charlotte Church
and TV presenter Gail Porter, and fake it with hair extensions. They look
realistic and last three months. However, having them attached takes around four
hours, involves uncomfortable braiding and paying up to GBP 350 for the
pleasure.

Former Spice Girl Mel C has had the same treatment, along with countless
celebrities such as Martine McCutcheon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Pamela Anderson.

LOAD-DATE: May 14, 2001