One of the most common questions we hearfrom our clients before they travel is some version of: will my hair system beokay? The short answer is: yes, absolutely. A TCP hair system is designed to gowherever you go, including beaches, pools, hot weather, and humidity. You canswim in it, sleep in it, and go about your holiday exactly as you would withoutit. The longer answer involves a few practical tips and preparations that willmake the whole experience easier and will keep your system looking its bestfrom departure to your return home.
This guide covers what to keep in mindbefore you leave, how to protect your system from the main holiday challenges,and the one thing that makes the biggest difference to how your system looksthroughout the trip.
The most important thing you can do beforeany holiday is to make time for a full refit of your hair system. Ideally,you'd want to have your refit done in the week or two before your departure, soyour system is freshly applied, the bond is at full strength, and the style isexactly how you want it when you arrive. Travelling with a system that's two orthree weeks into its wear cycle is fine, but heading off in week seven or eightwith a refit overdue, when people start to notice the edges lifting or the stylelosing its shape, is what usually causes the most issues on holiday. A freshrefit is the single best preparation you can make.
While you're booking that pre-travel refit,go ahead and schedule the one after you return as well. Holidays tend toinvolve more sun, swimming, heat, and activity than a typical week at home. Allof that places additional demands on your hair system. Having your post-holidayrefit already in the diary means you're not scrambling to find an appointmentwhen you get back, and your system gets refreshed at exactly the right time.
Packing your care products is the nextthing to organise. You'll want your usual sulphate-free shampoo andconditioner, a leave-in conditioner (particularly useful for swimming and sunprotection), a heat protectant spray if you plan to style your hair systemusing heat while you're away, and a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush. Forhand luggage, UK and EU airlines restrict liquids to containers of 100ml orless in a single clear plastic bag, so it is easiest to decant your productsinto travel-sized bottles rather than taking full-size ones through security.Many chemists and travel stores sell empty travel bottles for exactly thispurpose, and some specialist hair care brands sell pre-packed travel kitssuitable for hair systems.
If you're a TCP member and have anyquestions about your hair system specifically before you travel, get in touchwith us. We're always happy to advise on anything specific to your situation,whether that's the adhesive type you're using, how it typically responds toheat and humidity, or whether an earlier refit before departure makes sense.
Swimming is one of the things our clientsmost frequently ask about, and the good news is that a TCP hair system isdesigned to stay secure during water activities. The key here is the rightpreparation before you get in the water. Apply a leave-in conditioner throughthe hair before swimming to create a protective layer between the hair and thechlorine or saltwater. This significantly reduces the drying and colour-fadingeffect that both can have on your hair system. After every swim, rinse the hairthoroughly with fresh water as soon as possible, before the chlorine or salthas time to sit in the hair and on the base.
Chlorinated pool water and saltwater affectthe hair in slightly different ways. Chlorine strips the hair of its moistureand can cause gradual colour change in lighter hair. Saltwater is similarlydrying and can also affect the adhesive bond if left unrinsed. Neither willcause immediate problems, but the cumulative effect of daily swimming withoutrinsing will shorten the life of your system and make the hair drier and harderto manage by the end of the holiday. The rinse-after-swimming habit is the singlemost effective thing you can do if you're in and out of water every day.
UV protection matters more than most peopleinitially factor in. Prolonged direct sun exposure causes gradual colour fadein hair systems, and it also dries out the hair over time in much the same wayit affects natural hair. A UV protectant spray designed to go with hair systemsis a practical solution if you're spending significant time in direct sunlight.A hat also provides excellent all-round protection for extended periods on thebeach or by the pool, and has the added benefit of protecting the bond at thehairline from direct heat. Some of our clients find that a combination of aloose hat or cap for extended sun exposure, combined with going without forshorter periods, works well as a balanced approach.
Humidity affects different types of hairsystems differently depending on the base material and hair texture. Ingeneral, higher humidity environments can cause the hair to take on more volumeor a tighter curl than usual. This is easily managed with your usual stylingproducts and routine, and it shouldn't affect the bond or the security of thesystem. If you're travelling to a particularly hot and humid climate, it'sworth mentioning this to your stylist at your pre-travel refit so they canadvise on the best adhesive option for those conditions.
The daily care routine for your hair systemon holiday is essentially a lighter version of your usual routine at home. Washevery two to three days rather than daily, always condition after shampooing,and detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb working from the ends upward ratherthan pulling from the root. These habits take five minutes and make a realdifference to how the hair looks and feels by the end of the trip. The biggestmistake most people make on holiday is dropping their care routine. A little consistencygoes a long way.
If you're styling your system with heattools while you're away, always apply a heat protectant spray first and keepthe temperature on a medium setting. Holiday conditions, particularly thecombination of sun, swimming, and heat styling, place cumulative stress on thehair, so moderating heat use during a holiday where you're also swimming dailyis sensible. Air drying is always the gentler option and often the easier onein a warm climate. If the hair has been in the sea or pool, rinse first withfresh water and then allow to air dry before any styling.
Cotton pillowcases cause friction againstthe hair overnight, which leads to tangles and frizz that are harder to managein the morning. If you're staying somewhere with cotton bedding, ask at thefront desk for a satin or silk pillowcase, or pack a travel pillowcase of yourown. It sounds like a small thing at first, but it makes a noticeabledifference to how the system looks each morning, particularly on longer trips.Loosely tying the hair back before sleep is another simple habit that helpswith overnight maintenance.
We've mentioned this already, but it'sworth being direct about it: timing your refits around your travel is thesingle most effective thing you can do for your hair system on holiday. Asystem that's freshly applied before you leave is bonded securely, styledexactly how you want it, and in the best possible condition to handle two weeksof beach, pool, and sun. A system that's overdue for a refit when you depart ismore likely to show wear-and-tear during the trip, and the experience is justbetter when you don't have to think about it at all.
Booking that post-holiday refit in advanceis equally important. After a holiday with more-than-usual swimming, sun, andactivity, your system will benefit from a professional clean, a fresh bond, anda restyle. Having that appointment already confirmed before you travel meansyou come home to a plan rather than a to-do. You can bookyour next appointment here.
If you're not yet a TCP member and you'vebeen thinking about trying a hair system, a holiday is actually one of the mostcompelling reasons to make the change. Our clients consistently tell us thatthe holiday where they first wore a TCP system was the first holiday in yearswhere they didn't think about their hair once. That's what we're aiming for,for every trip to come.
Your first consultation with us iscompletely free and confidential. We have studios across the US, the UK, andGermany. Book your free consultation today and find out ifa TCP hair system could work for you.
Can you swim with a TCP hair system?
Yes. A TCP hair system is designed to staysecure during water activities. Apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming toprotect the hair from chlorine or saltwater, and rinse thoroughly with freshwater immediately after. For frequent or daily swimming, a swim cap providesthe most reliable protection for both the hair and the bond.
Will sun and heat affect my hair system on holiday?
Prolonged, direct sun exposure can causegradual colour fade and dryness in the hair over time. A UV protectant sprayfor hair and a hat for extended sun exposure are the most practical solutions.High temperatures and humidity don't affect the security of a well-appliedsystem, but are worth mentioning to your stylist if you're travelling somewhereparticularly hot so they can advise on the best adhesive for those conditions.
What should I pack for my hair system when travelling?
Pack your sulphate-free shampoo andconditioner, a leave-in conditioner, a heat protectant spray, and a wide-toothcomb or detangling brush. For hand luggage, ensure liquids are in containers of100ml or less in a clear plastic bag per airline regulations. Decant your usualproducts into travel-sized bottles rather than taking full-size containersthrough security.
Should I get a refit before going on holiday?
Yes, ideally in the week or two beforedeparture. A freshly applied system is bonded at full strength and styledexactly how you want it when you arrive. It's also worth scheduling yourpost-holiday refit before you travel, so you come home to a confirmedappointment. Holidays involve more sun, swimming, and activity than usual, anda professional refit on return refreshes the system at exactly the right time.
How long does a TCP hair system last?
With proper home care, a quality TCP hairsystem typically lasts several months, ranging from 7 to 11 weeks. The exactlifespan depends on your skin type, activity level, and how closely you followthe maintenance routine. TCP members receive a discounted rate on each newsystem as part of their membership.
Increase the longevity of your hair system by following the tips in our handy hair system maintenance guide. Download it for free today.
