Post-holiday first aid for hair

Two weeks spent on the beach have the potential to play more havoc with clients' hair than the other 50 weeks of the year combined. Bleaching sunlight, UV rays, sea breezes, sand and salt residues go with the territory, and chlorinated swimming pools are the enemy when it comes to colour.

Regardless of whether the damage is minimal or major, this is the perfect opportunity to promote those add-on services that correct, protect and pamper, transforming hair from lacklustre to luscious, whether the process involved is a quick fix or a long haul.

Solution: L'Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Renew C and Powercell Repair are fantastic pre and post-shampoo treatments for damaged and extremely damaged hair.

"These backwash tonics link up beautifully with the Absolut Repair Cellular haircare range enriched with lactic acid for condition, protection and reinforcement."

Solution: Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger KeraTriplex Treatment, a single-shot vial of highly concentrated keratin protein.

"Partnering with Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Treatment in a two-step process, the result is a reduction in breakage by 80%, colour fade by 67% and an improvement in shine by 35%."

Solution: An all too common problem at this time of year is the khaki-blonde phenomenon resulting from immersion in a highly chlorinated swimming pool.

"Generally this happens to a lighter palette of blonde but it can also affect darker shades, although it is less visible. In this situation, we always recommend that our clients come into the salon for a consultation, followed by a colour correction service."

"The process involves gentle detoxing, followed by a toning service to remove the green tinge, and then the desired shade is achieved."

Solution: Sun exposure can cause fade and discolouration, particularly on this season's vibrant reds and block shades.

"A simple gloss over and a set of highlights can infuse the tone back into the hair bringing it to life and giving it a healthy coating. Cooler tones kill brassiness and golden, honey tones restore hair that looks flat."

Solution: Bring calm to chaotic curly hair with La Biosthetique Tricoprotein Masque, available as a 15 minute in-salon treatment and for purchase to use at home.

"This masque treatment works brilliantly on dehydrated, brittle hair, saturating the inner core with much-needed moisture."

Solution: If you're confronted by battered locks breaking off by the handful, encourage clients to embrace the gamine look. Reference the celebrity trend for short hair spearheaded by the likes of Emma Watson, Pixie Lott and Frankie Sandford.

"Sometimes the quickest solution is a post-holiday haircut; a must for removing all the dead ends and restoring optimum condition."