Women tend to forget the immense strain on the hair imposed by regular shampooing, setting and drying. Hair cannot handle even very mild and shampooing without reacting adversely in some way however small..

When you are drying hair the most important thing to remember is to keep the air warm, never hot. Hair, after all, burns as much, if not as dramatically, as skin.

Roller setting is pretty passe as far as today's free and easy unstructured styles go, as any leading hairdresser will vouch; towel and finger drying, the use of hairdryers and allowing the hair to dry naturally are all less aggressive ways of putting shape and movement into hair.

However, if you are determined to achieve a neatly 'set' look or else if you have very long or thick hair try and follow a few basic rules to achieve a professional effect with the minimum amount of damage.

1.Sprinkle damp hair with setting lotion that contains the very minimum of alcohol.

2 Section off small areas of hair with precise partings and the help of a tail comb. Roll these very carefully and not too tightly beginning at the crown, working towards the front and sides and then the back. Never put too much tension on the hair and avoid spiked rollers which can damage the hair and cause splitting and breaking.

3 When hair is completely dry, remove rollers gently and brush hair thoroughly in one direction, then the other to eliminate any roller or pin mark .