BEAUTY COUNTER 9 ways to protect and repair your hair

T might have rained in some parts of the country but the heat is still definitely on.

And the warm temperatures are playing havoc with our hair. This beauty bete noire is even worse if you’ve been on a sunshine-filled holiday, and comes with the added bonus that everyone gets to enjoy their own version of hair hell.

“Over-exposure to sun, sea and sand or chlorine can cause damage to the hair. Signs of damage mainly include bleaching out or fading of colour, dryness, split ends and increased flyaways or frizz,” says Luke Hersheson, John Frieda UK creative director.

“Generally, thicker, coarser and darker hair is more resilient to the UVA/UVB rays. This type of hair tends to be less dry as a result of overexposure. This is because oil tends to reside in the pigment of darker coloured hair.”

But even thick, dark hair can suffer in summer.

“The hotter weather and summer holidays can affect all hair types, regardless of texture,” warns John Vial, co-founder of Salon Sloane.

“However, coloured hair is prone to greater absorption as it tends to be more porous.”

Luke agrees: “If you’ve lightened your hair, you need to be more careful as you’ve partially started stripping away the natural oil along with the pigment.”

So what can we do to fight these folicular foes? It’s about prevention and cure, the experts say, knowing what to do – and what not to do – before and after exposure to the elements.

Whether you’re heading off on holiday or feeling the effects of the heatwave back home, here are nine ways to look after your locks...

“THERE are some basic and easy rules to protecting your hair – the most obvious being wearing a sun hat or headscarf. This will act as a physical barrier between yourself and the sun,” Luke advises.

JOHN says: “Like with our skin, the sun can also damage our hair and scalp – if a hat isn’t your style, use a good quality SPF for your hair to stop the chlorine penetrating each shaft of the hair. I’d also recommend using colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner as this will prevent fade.”

“WHILST on the beach, a great way to look after hair is to put a treatment on the mid-lengths and ends and then put it in a braid,” says John.

“This will provide nourishment whilst keeping hair off your face whilst you sunbathe.”

“BRUSH hair twice a day to keep tangles at bay,” John says. “Start at the ends and work slowly up the shaft to avoid knots collecting.”

IT’S not just what you put on your hair that matters: “Start from the inside out,” John says. “Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep hair and skin hydrated. Also eating lots of oily fish will promote shine and add nourishment.” Trevor Sorbie.

“This is a protein based hair smoother and repairing treatment.

“It has the added benefit of holding blow-dries for longer and works to limit the effects of humidity on frizz prone hair.”

“HAIR oils are a great solution to help put moisture back into damaged hair. Depending on how damaged the hair is, I’d recommend using them once or twice a week, applying it through the mid-lengths to the ends – putting it on the roots of the hair can potentially reduce volume,” John advises