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Ask The Doctor

Darren Ambrose, answers your hair dilemmas …

Darren Ambrose from D & J Ambrose
I have a two week holiday booked and would like some tips on caring for my hair before I go.
Have a trim before you go, but not a major restyle as you don?t want to worry about coping with a new look in the sun. Book an appointment a week before your holiday for colour as this will allow the colour to ´soften´. If you normally have highlights try fewer than normal (just so you cover your roots). This helps to reduce the amount that your hair will lighten in the sun so you won?t need to resort to lowlights when you get back to return your hair to normal. Remember to pack all your holiday hair care needs ? otherwise if you are on some far-flung shores you might end up using product not suited to your hair.
Other than wearing a hat can you give me some other tips for protecting my hair on the beach?
Hair needs protection from UV rays. The safest way is to wear a hat but another way is to use a protective treatment prior to going to the beach. Look for one that contains a sunscreen and film forming polymers that smooth ruffled cuticles. When applying sun lotion don?t forget your scalp if your hair is short or slightly thin. Also, if you have scooped your hair into a high ponytail, don?t forget the back of your neck. Gel is great for slicking hair back and keeping it in place whilst protecting from the sun. Always rinse out salt water and chlorine thoroughly from hair using plenty of clean, fresh water. If you have no access to tap water, bring your own to the beach in an empty water bottle.
I have really curly hair. As soon as it rains it turns really frizzy! What?s your advice?
This is because the moisture lifts the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) and allows moisture to enter the hair shaft which results in frizz. The only way to help prevent frizziness is to use a serum to form a barrier on the hair which moisture will find difficult to penetrate. To do this, shampoo and condition hair using anti-frizz formulations then blot hair dry, and, working on a section of hair at a time, work serum from roots to ends, smoothing curl into shape. Leave to dry naturally. This should form enough of a barrier to prevent your hair frizzing too much.