Leonna Heuring, Staff Shannon Blanchard, a cosmetologist at Jones and Co. in Sikeston, touches up the roots of her college-aged client. Many people are getting back-to-school hair cuts and remedies to their hair damaged by the sun and chlorine from swimming in pools.

SIKESTON -- Summer heat, along with chlorine from a pool, can often damage hair, but local cosmetologists say there are ways to give your hair a boost and get it back to normal by fall.

Nyna Combs, a cosmetologist at Jones and Co. in Sikeston, said there's a lot people can do to maintain healthy hair or reverse damage.

"The best thing they can do when they're going swimming is to make sure they wet their hair before getting into the pool," Combs said.

Combs who has a lot of clients who are on the local swim team reminds them to wet their hair before getting into the pool.

"A lot of the kids wear the swimmer's cap. That helps, too," Combs said.

Cosmetologist Christy Small said chlorine grabs on to the hair shaft and absorbs more quickly into dry hair.

"We recommend to wet the hair first in the shower or with a leave-in conditioner before jumping into the pool because this will block the chlorine from absorbing into the hair or turning your beautiful blonde hair into green mossy hair," said Small, who also works at Jones and Co.

For those who've already experienced this problem, Small suggested a wellness solution kit by Malibu which retails for less than $30.

"It comes with a quicker hair demineralizer, swimmers action shampoo and swimmers action conditioner," Small said.

For those whose hair has already been damaged by summer heat and sun, Small suggested they get a "hair cocktail." She likes to use the Redken Chemistry System.

"This system will take your hair back to a normal pH and leave it feeling healthy, shiny and manageable -- not dry and stressed," Small said.

The chemistry system, which is done in the salon for less than $15, offers the following hair recovery treatments: a protect shot for color-treated hair; a dandruff control shot for dry, flaky scalp; a soft shot for dry, brittle hair, a strength shot for distressed hair; and an anti-frizz shot for dry and unruly hair.

Liz Smith, manager at JC Penney Salon in Sikeston, said she also uses the Malibu Swimmers' Wellness and Redken systems.

"It's even good for (clients who have) well water. If your hair is green, it will strip the green," Smith said about the treatments.

If someone receives a treatment at the end of the summer, they may have to have it done again, Smith said.

"Some people get a treatment in the middle of the summer and again at the end of the season," Smith said.

Smith noted summer hair care lines are also popular with clients. For example, Biolage's summer care line has sunscreen in its shampoos, conditioners and sprays.

"There are a lot of leave-in conditioners people like to use, and some have sunscreen in them,"?Smith said.

There are several measures to help prevent hair damage.

"If someone's hair is colored, there are products that can prevent their hair from fading. Of course, some keep their hair covered or put conditioner on after they get out of the sun," Combs said.

And many people are already thinking about back-to-school hair cuts and new styles for fall.

"We've had a lot coming and started booking for that. Teachers are getting ready for school and getting hair color done," Combs said.

For fall, straight, long hair with layers continues to be a trend, Combs said.

"Most of the girls are using the flat iron and putting long layers in the hair," Combs said. "And some got it cut shorter this summer and are ready for a swing bob or stack bob, but most are keeping it kind of long."

For guys, many of them are getting their longer locks trimmed with a more clean look.

"I always tell my clients to get ideas, look through magazines and pick out what you like. Just pick several things you like off of hairstyles of different people," Combs said.

Color-wise, some people are going back to tinting their natural hair color and adding carmel highlights, Combs said.

Using quality hair products is also important year-round, Combs said. Today's hair products are built around basic hair types and textures which include curly, straight, normal and volume, she said.

Regular hair maintenance is another key to keeping hair healthy, Combs said.

"Basically, get your hair trimmed anywhere from four to eight weeks," Combs said. "That helps the hair from breaking off."