What clients need to know about sun, sea and hair extensions

Educating your extensions clients ahead of their holidays and in extreme heat is key at this time of year. We spoke to Remi Cachet’s super stylists to find out what you should be telling your clients about the sun, sea and hair extensions... What are the top three things to tell your extensions clients when they are beach-bound? 1) Tie your hair up to avoid salty seas and chlorinated pools. It will also help avoid the ends of your hair rubbing the suncream off your body, which can change its colour. 2) Protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat. 3) Don’t forget to invest in some sachets of Malibu C (see more below!). So how does suncream affect hair extensions? We are all aware of fake-tan staining clothes, but SPF protection could also be staining your extension clients' hair too. Dyed blonde hair or blonde hair extensions are particularly susceptible to discolouration; turning pink or orange in patches at the ends of their hair – as seen on Love Island! Those with darker locks may notice a slight change in colour, but the effect is much more noticeable on blonde hair which has been subject to more processing. What’s in suncream that causes the hair to discolour? 1) Avebenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) which is an oil-soluble ingredient used in sunscreen products to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays. 2) Octocrylene, which is added as a stabiliser as the Avebenzone degrades in light. Together they are found in differing quantities in sun protection. What is the science behind it all? Essentially the colour change is a result of a chemical reaction. When the sun cream is absorbed into the hair and exposed to the UV light, it causes the cells to break down in a process known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The cells break down and seek out electron particles to form a new cell structure. When the hair is rinsed in water, from showers and pools, then the electron particles in the minerals in the water such as Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium and Silica, attach to the hair cells creating a reaction. What other holiday scenarios can affect extensions? The other main causes are chlorinated pools and the water filtration systems abroad that have lots of minerals that can affect the hair. People tend to focus on avoiding pool water, but actually washing your hair can cause an issue as the water filtration systems in hotels add lots of minerals to the water, including Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium and Silica which all have an adverse effect on the hair. What can we do? As well as tying hair up to avoid it brushing on sun-creamed shoulders, Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy helps eliminate brassiness, discolouration and damage caused by mineral absorption.