Whilst hair professionals will be all too familiar with the notion that central heating can damage hair, your clients might not be. As such, those who have had the heat cranked up this winter might now be paying the price for their hair health – not just the heating bill! To help you guide your clients back to a life of luscious locks, we asked some industry experts to share their thoughts on the matter.
Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley, explains: “Central heating can affect our hair and scalp in the same way as it affects our skin – making it dryer during the winter months. It occurs when the top layer of skin (the epidermis) lacks moisture (water). Similarly, your strands may feel dryer due to this loss of moisture, causing them to become brittle, and your clients may be experiencing more breakage and frizz as a result.”
Jo Robertson, Educational Director at Wonderful Brands, explains: “It’s essential to check that your clients are using a leave in treatment to protect their hair from any moisture loss and UV exposure. My go-to product is ELEVEN Australia Miracle Hair Treatment – this is as essential as putting on your face moisturiser.” Jo also recommends asking plenty of questions during consultations, sharing: “Sometimes we miss key retailing opportunities. Ask yourself if you know how your clients are protecting their hair from moisture loss; they might not be, which provides a great opening for you to educate them. Ask more questions, it will only make your services better.”
Anabel offers an alternative method to supporting clients with dry hair and scalps, sharing: “Rehydrate the scalp with a water-based toner such as Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Toner. It contains camphor which cools and soothes your scalp; while Benzalkonium Chloride provides instant and long-lasting relief from itching caused by dryness.” She also suggests advising your clients to use a pre-shampoo deep-conditioning treatment, to flood moisture back into parched strands. The added moisture content not only improves hair elasticity, and therefore retention to breakage, but will also impact overall hair health improving shine, manageability and reducing frizz.”
Unfortunately, stepping outside in the cold isn’t great for our hair, either – especially when we’re bundled up. Kerry Galliano, WELOVE International Art Director, expands: “Hats and scarves can play havoc on our hair by creating electrical charges; one gets a positive charge while the other gets a negative charge, causing our hair to repel against the fabric.” As such, Kerry shares her top tip in preventing clients from feeling disappointed after a winter appointment, explaining: “It’s usually an instinct to run your hands through your hair when you get home and take off your hat and coat, but I ask my clients to avoid touching their hair until it has climatised to the room temperature, otherwise it is at its most vulnerable.” She also says an old-fashioned trick of placing a bowl of water near a radiator can improve conditions in clients’ homes.
Meanwhile, Michael Lendon, Creative Director at Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa, recommends speaking to your clients about investing in an air humidifier, explaining: “These devices diffuse moisture into the air, which is particularly useful when the central heating is going to town drying out your skin and hair.” Jonathan Andrew, Fudge Professional Global Brand Ambassador, also believes that using the correct products can make a big impact on your clients' hair health. He suggests the Fudge Professional Blowdry Aqua Primer, explaining: "Everyone can use this and it’s such a clever product, working similar to a makeup primer it gets your hair ready for whatever. However, this is a clever product in that it does so many different things from heat protection, to hold and shine and importantly anti-frizz. One of the big benefits is that it contains hyaluronic acid, which repairs your hair both inside and out."
Whether you send your clients on their way with the best at-home haircare products, or offer up some simple tips and tricks to combat hair damage from central heating, your clients will appreciate the extra time you’ve taken to share your expertise - which will only strengthen your relationship.
However, it's not just the climate inside that can cause probelms for clients' hair – here's how changes in weather can affect hair health too.
