How to fix these client at-home hair disasters

The uncertainty of the coronavirus lockdown led to many people experimenting with their hair in ways they shouldn't be. Perhaps following the lead of their favourite celebrities some clients deviated from the professional and took hairy matters into their own hands. Ultimately most will comeback to their hairdressers pro hands to fix their at-home hair disasters, so below current British Hairdresser of the Year Robert Eaton shares his tips on how to fix any at home hair disasters you might come across.

Beware the box dye

Box dyes can be extremely damaging to hair and we would advise clients to try and reverse that damage by using deep conditioners and treatments, both at home and in the salon, ahead of having a professional colour. However, this can be a long process. Adding extensions can be a great solution to mask damaged hair - For example, if the client is looking to have a blonde colour put in through their hair, extensions can be a really great way of doing that as you’re adding the colour without damaging the remainder of the hair in-between. So, we not only use them to add thickness, length and hair density, but colour as well.

Extension extricating

We stress to all our Great Lengths clients that they should never attempt to remove extensions themselves, this is something that should always be done by a professional. If a client has removed their extensions themselves, we need to carefully assess the condition of the hair ahead of re-applying extensions. Regularly using deep conditioning treatments and masks at home is a great way to revive damaged hair to ensure it’s in the best possible condition ahead of having your extensions re-applied. Then, once re-applied it’s really important that the client continues to look after their hair, again using a deep conditioner at the tips on a regular basis and to also consider how they are styling their hair – for example tying it up loosely to avoid excess tension being applied to the hair. When it came to re-opening, we prioritised different clients depending on two factors – those who have been waiting the longest and those who need a particular service more urgently. This includes extension clients who will be accommodated as soon as possible so their extensions can be removed, and the hair conditioned afterwards which allows us time to prep the hair for their Great Lengths to be put back in at a later date. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCVn0CKjf-0/

Hair cut horrors

Extensions are obviously a great solution for clients who may have had a disastrous DIY haircut during lockdown. A bad haircut can always be corrected by using extensions to create more length and thickness. A consultation is key for both the client and stylist, and here at Russell Eaton Salons we are offering virtual appointments to see what extension solutions we can offer clients. The virtual consultation will also give us the opportunity to assess what the clients hair is like, explain the process, answer any questions and give the client an estimated cost. It also gives the client the chance to establish if extensions are the right route for them, ahead of visiting the salon for a full Great Lengths consultation.

Bad bands

For us, colour is a massive part of what we do in the salon and we are expecting to see lots of problems as a result of clients using home hair colours during lockdown, including root banding. It’s going to be really important we manage clients expectations when it comes to their hair – if they’ve not been in the salon for three months it is going to take more than one appointment to get their colour back to its former glory – the reality is it may take several visits. This is where the virtual consultations we are offering help, as they allow us to see the clients hair in advance of the salon doors re-opening and we can give them an honest opinion and plan their hair journey moving forward.