on their hair, as it does on their skin? The results of a sun fest, coupled with frolicking in the sea and lounging in chlorine-rich pools can be very ugly indeed. Hair can end up severely dehydrated, colour faded, damaged, brittle and downright depressed. You can’t afford to take it for granted

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that clients know how much damage can be caused hair by summer aggressors – every salon pro should make it their mission to ensure clients are clued-up and armed with the right salon services and products to keep hair healthy and ready to shine. It’s staggering to learn that in the

skincare market, sun protectant products represent 36 percent* of the total body skincare market, but when it comes to haircare specialist sun products represent less than one percent of the total haircare market**. Unlike skin hair has no self-healing

properties, but luckily for salons, professional manufacturers have given it their all, providing an abundance of sun ranges to present a real solution for your clients’ sun hair needs.

DAMAGE Sun exposure can harm the three areas of the hair’s structure. The surface – the hair’s natural coating – is damaged due to oxidation and free radical exposure, so it becomes sensitive to humidity. UV rays then harm the cuticle, weakening the hair shaft, which becomes vulnerable to porosity as the hair loses its protective shield. Water exposure amplifies the negative effects of free radicals, meaning UV rays then penetrate the hair’s cortex, destroying the keratin – the core of the hair structure – leading to hair breakage and split ends.

PROTECT “It’s imperative for clients to protect their hair in the sun,” says Joico International Artistic Director Damien Carney. “The latest research reveals that without proper protection, the sun actually burns holes into the hair’s surface layer, leaving it severely damaged and dehydrated. “Joico has just launched its K-PAK Sun Therapy range, designed to fill in the holes burned into hair by the sun, which is just fantastic. The range is designed not only to protect hair in the sun but

re you totally confident your clients are aware that the sun can have just as much impact

also to repair existing sun damage,” explains Damien. “I always recommend clients carry

a protective spray in their beach bag – Joico K-PAK Protective Sun Milk is perfect to apply throughout the day, and once they’ve been in the sea or pool, to rinse their hair thoroughly to get rid of damaging salty and chlorine residues.” Wella Professionals Global Creative

Director, Eugene Souleiman, is like- minded. “Sun protection is becoming more and more important, especially when women want to protect their beautiful colour result for as long as possible,” says Eugene. “The SP Sun range provides the ultimate UV protection and a personalised prescription service, so we can give clients an individual diagnosis and a tailored approach to suit their individual needs.”

With clients sun savvy about damage to skin, it isn’t hard to make them see sense when it comes to hair. Senscience International Creative Director, Martin Hillier, doesn’t hold back when talking to his clients: “I say that hair suffers hardships equal to skin from too much fun in the sun and precautions for the hair must be the same as the body.” Webster Whiteman salon owner

and KMS/Goldwell Ambassador, Lisa Whiteman, gives protection advice to clients intent on lounging in the sun. “Make sure they know to protect

hair with a hat and sun products such as the KMS Solperfection range, which safeguards against UV damage. Clients should also keep heat styling to a minimum and leave the hair to dry naturally whenever possible,” says Lisa. “I also advise clients not to colour their

hair before they go on a beach break, as constant washing and chlorine from the pool and sea air can cause colour to fade quickly. I suggest they wait and choose a new shade on their return.” “Keune’s Sun Sublime is a fantastic

product for clients going on holiday or who swim and spend a lot of time outdoors,” says Plymouth’s No4 Hair Boutique owner, Deanne Truscott. “The shampoo clarifies the hair of chlorine, sun products and salt water and the conditioner, oil and serum all contain UV filters. Our fave holiday must-have is the water-resistant Spray Oil with UV filters – fab for people who dip in and out of water and are too lazy to reapply a protector!” >>

* Database Euromonitor 2006: retail value worldwide body skincare market ** Europe five mass market distributor panel IRI annual 2006