SOS: how to fix the 5 most common hair issues
- 10 min reading time
Your hair can suddenly do its own thing. Luckily, there’s almost always something you can do! The key is not to tackle every problem with the same solution. Dry hair needs different care than lifeless hair. Limp curls call for a different approach than quickly fading colour.
In this SOS guide, you’ll discover what causes these common hair issues and how to address them directly. No vague tips, just clear solutions to get your hair healthy, shiny and happy again.
SOS #1: My curls don’t hold
The solution: hydrate and reactivate your curls
You haven’t even closed the door behind you yet and your carefully styled curls are already falling flat. Frustrating, but it’s usually not your curls’ fault.
Curly hair is naturally much drier than straight hair. Your scalp’s natural oils reach the lengths less easily. When your hair loses moisture from sun, heat, aircon or swimming, the curl becomes less elastic. Instead of bouncing back, it falls flat and turns frizz-free.
Many try to fix this by adding more styling products. But when curls are dry, extra gel or mousse won’t solve the problem. You just trap dry hair under a layer of styling.
How to fix it properly
The solution lies in your care routine (not your styling routine), focusing on hydration — because dryness is probably the root cause. Choose a hydrating shampoo without harsh sulfates and always pair it with a nourishing conditioner. Use a hydrating hair mask for curly hair twice a week that targets moisture.
After washing, apply a (hydrating) leave-in conditioner. This helps lock in moisture longer. Then style and define with a curl Cream. Finish with gel or mousse if your curls need extra hold.
Are your curls flat on day two? Lightly mist with a waterSpray or curl refresher. Then scrunch a little curl Cream or mousse back into your hair to reactivate the product still there and bring bounce back.
Pro tip: With curly hair, it’s best to work in sections. Use several thin layers of styling rather than one thick layer. Too much product weighs curls down and makes them fall faster.
SOS shopping list for flat curls
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Hydrating shampoo
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Nourishing conditioner
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Hydrating hair mask
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Leave-in conditioner (hydrating)
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Curl Cream
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Gel or mousse
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Curl refresher
SOS #2: My blonde hair feels like straw
The solution: hydrating and restorative protein treatments
Blonde hair suffers the most, especially in summer.
Bleaching removes pigments from your hair, causing small damage in the hair fibre. Sun, sea and chlorine worsen this damage, causing moisture to escape faster, while your hair was already damaged by bleaching.
This combination of damage and moisture loss makes hair rough, tangle easily, look dull and break faster.
Many people reach for hair oil immediately. It adds shine temporarily but doesn’t solve the root problem.
How to restore blonde hair
Hydration & protein are the key here.
Hydrating ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, panthenol and hyaluronic acid replenish moisture. Proteins such as keratin, amino acids or plant proteins fill in damaged hair parts temporarily, making hair feel stronger.
Use:
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a nourishing shampoo with protein;
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a hydrating conditioner;
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an intensive nourishing mask once a week;
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and a protein treatment every one to two weeks when your hair is really damaged.
Always finish with a leave-in conditioner or heat protection. These create a protective layer around hair to lock in moisture better.
Important: Don’t use protein treatments too often. If your hair has enough protein but lacks moisture, it can feel even stiffer. Alternate hydrating masks and protein treatments.
SOS shopping list for straw-like blonde hair
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Nourishing shampoo with protein
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Hydrating conditioner
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Intensive nourishing hair mask
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Protein treatment
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Leave-in conditioner
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Heat protectant
SOS #3: My hair colour fades too fast
The solution: wash smarter and protect your colour
You recently got fresh colour at the salon, but a few weeks later, the shine fades and colour dulls.
That’s normal; UV rays break down pigment while hot water opens hair cuticles. This causes pigments to wash out faster. Chlorine and saltwater speed this up even more.
How to keep your colour longer
Always use shampoo designed for coloured hair. It gently cleans while helping to keep cuticles closed.
Wash your hair only as needed. If only your roots are oily, use dry shampoo to delay washing.
After every wash, apply conditioner. It helps close cuticles again, locking in colour pigment better.
Before a day at the beach, apply a leave-in with UV protection. Think of it as sunscreen for your hair.
If your colour dulls, a colour mask can help. It adds temporary pigment and nourishes your hair. Also check out this detailed blog on caring for coloured hair to keep your shade vibrant!
SOS shopping list for fast-fading colour
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Shampoo for coloured hair
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Conditioner for coloured hair
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Dry shampoo
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Leave-in with UV protection
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Colour mask
SOS #4: My scalp feels dry, tight or itchy
The solution: soothe the scalp
If your scalp feels dry, it’s tempting to wash it more often. But this often backfires. Dry scalp means a damaged skin barrier. Strong cleansing shampoos can worsen this.
How to restore balance
Use a mild shampoo that cleanses without stripping natural oils completely.
Ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol, oat extract, aloe vera and glycerin help calm and hydrate the skin.
After washing, apply a scalp serum. Massage gently with fingertips. Avoid scratching with nails to prevent further damage.
Do you burn easily on your parting? Protect your scalp with a cap, hat or SPF made for the scalp.
Note: If you have many flakes, sores or persistent itching for weeks, there may be more going on. We recommend reading the scalp problems blog and/or consulting a GP/dermatologist.
SOS shopping list for dry scalp
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Mild shampoo
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Hydrating scalp serum
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SPF for the scalp
SOS #5: My hair is lifeless and hangs everywhere but nicely
The solution: less weight and Volume Boost
Lifeless hair often results from too much weight on the strands. This can be from sebum, silicones, product buildup, or care that’s too rich for your hair type. Many then add more oils or serums, making hair even flatter.
How to bring back volume
Start with a fresh base. Use a deep cleansing shampoo occasionally to remove product buildup. Do this about once every two to four weeks, depending on how many styling products you use.
Use conditioner only on lengths and ends. Apply volume mousse or a root lift Spray only at the roots.
When blow-drying, direct airflow against the hair growth direction. This lifts the roots literally.
Is your volume gone by midday? Tilt your head forward, loosen the roots with your fingers and use a little dry shampoo or textureSpray. This creates space between hairs without washing again.
Pro tip: Fine hair usually benefits more from light Sprays and mousses than heavy creams or oils. The lighter the product, the longer your volume lasts.
SOS shopping list for lifeless hair
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Deep cleansing shampoo
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Conditioner for lengths and ends
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Volume mousse
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Root lift Spray
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Dry shampoo
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TextureSpray
First aid for hair problems: how to avoid the next crisis
The right products can fix a lot, but small habits also help prevent your hair from going into SOS mode every week.
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Keep your hair dry while swimming. Wear it in a high bun or braid and try to keep your head above water. If it gets wet, rinse immediately with clean water.
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Wet your hair first with tap water. Wet hair absorbs less chlorine or salt than dry hair.
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Never sleep with wet hair. Wet hair is more vulnerable and breaks faster due to friction with your pillow.
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Dry hair gently. Don’t rub hard with a towel, but squeeze or pat gently. A microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt is usually kinder to your hair.
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Don’t brush wet hair roughly. Always start at the ends and work slowly upwards to avoid pulling and breakage.
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Don’t tie your hair tightly every day. Alternate a tight ponytail or bun with a loose braid, low ponytail or loose hair.
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Use gentle hair ties. Elastics without metal parts or soft scrunchies pull less on your hair.
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Change the position of your ponytail or bun. Wearing your hair at the same height daily causes tension in the same spot.
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Protect your hair from the sun. A cap, hat or scarf helps prevent dryness and colour loss from UV rays.
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Always use heat protection. Even for quick blow-drying or fast touch-ups with a straightener. Heat is heat, no matter how short the exposure.
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Don’t set your styling tool hotter than needed. Start low and increase only if necessary.
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Touch your hair less often. Frequent twisting, brushing and playing with your hair causes frizz and makes roots greasy faster.
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Sleep on satin or silk. A smooth pillowcase means less friction, reducing tangling, frizz and breakage.
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Tie long hair loosely at night. A loose braid or pineapple style stops hair from being crushed all night under your body.
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Give your hair breaks now and then. Avoid daily blow-drying, curling, straightening or tight updos to help hair recover.
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Get your ends trimmed regularly. Split ends don’t heal on their own and can split further up.
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Adjust your routine with the seasons. What works in winter might be too heavy or not nourishing enough in summer.
Your hair doesn’t need an immediate rescue with a brand-new routine. Often the difference comes from a few smart tweaks. Listen closely to what your hair needs, choose suitable care and give it time. A bad hair day can turn into glossy, bouncy, and much more cooperative hair in no time.
