New salon treatment: The Japanese Diamond Hair System

If you’ve been sporting 'laissez faire hair' over the summer – sunkissed waves that look oh-so-great when you’re in a kaftan by the sea, but take on the less desirable look of a frizzy bird's nest come autumn - you'll be interested in this. The latest salon blowdry treatment - the Japanese Diamond Hair System - promises to give lacklustre locks a deep conditioning boost and winter spruce up.

As I arrive at Eleven Salon in Mayfair, a few minutes walk from Bond Street Sation, I wonder whether there is actually any hope for this haystack which I’ve got hidden under my trilby. I’ve enjoyed the sun and sea much too much this summer and the damage it’s wreaked on my over-processed hair is highly visible. I almost wince as my hairstylist Gleb removes my hat to take a look at my hair, but he doesn’t seem bothered at all. As he tries - in vain - to run his fingers through my hair, he excitedly tells me that I’m the ideal candidate for this new treatment.  He’s not kidding!

I want to keep the length of my hair and am worried that it will need drastic cutting but Gleb explains that the beauty of the Japanese Diamond Hair System is that dead ends will be dealt with and repaired so no trimming is required.

After washing my hair with clarifying shampoo to remove any remnants of build up that might prevent the absorption of the Japanese Diamond products, it’s rinsed and ready for some heavy duty TLC. Gleb applies a selection of specially formulated deep conditioning products to my hair, section by section. As the thick goop is being stroked onto my hair, I start to relax and take in the fresh, clean smell of the products.

What do the products contain?

Gleb tells me that the Japanese Diamond System includes products which contain repairing and protecting ingredients such as Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rose Oil, Silk, Cranberry and Lavender and they are all natural, highly moisturising formulas.

What makes this treatment different to a normal deep conditioning treatment?

This treatment uses ultrasound, which is a first in haircare. Gleb places a pane of perspex underneath a section of hair and runs a hand held ultrasound device from root to tip. He repeats this process on the rest of the hair, section by section. Apparently, the ultrasound technology works with the products’ naturally derived ingredients to rejuvenate and restructure the hair from the inside out and the pane of perspex works to reflect the ultrasound waves, locking the ingredients deep into the hair shaft. It’s totally painless and I pray it can save my ruined hair.

Is this treatment the same as a Brazilian blowdry?

Some people get great results from a Brazilian blowdry but others find that the excessive heat needed to straighten the hair can actually cause more damage in the long run. The Japanese Diamond System uses ultrasound rather than heat and is a more gentle blowdry treatment.

After a final rinse, Gleb blowdries my hair using his fingers rather than a brush to show me how easy it is now to get my hair looking sleek and smooth. He doesn’t have to use scorching heat or head-pulling brush techniques to get my hair under control. And I can honestly say I’m really impressed at the glass-like shine on my hair – earlier in the day I would never have thought it possible!

How long does the treatment take?

From start to finish the treatment takes around an hour.

Is it expensive?

Although it’s a bit pricey at £85, the effects can last up to 2 months.

The update

After washing my hair a couple of days later, I only need a dab of serum and two minutes with the hot brush to keep it looking in fabulous condition. A month on and I’m still getting compliments but it does need a little more help to look as good as it did when I left the salon.

Eleven Hair, 11 Blenheim Street, London W1 (020 7491 2390) www.eleven-hair.com

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