A Surbiton woman has written "a guide for anyone - men included - who has hair" to show all hair needs the same things, regardless of age or race.

Hairdresser Eugenia Shaw is hoping the book will fight misinformation and give practical advice to people.

She said: "I do people's hair from all walks of life and all races. Everyone wants to know how best to help their hair; people ask me that all the time.

"Although we all think our hair is different, it's not. I wanted to write about that - dispelling the myths.

"I'm not trying to put myself out of a job! This is for the weeks in between visits to the hairdresser."

Despite her experience, and having been doing other people's hair since she was in her early teens, but it has not always gone perfectly.

She said: "One time when I was very young, a relative came to stay and offered to plait my hair, but she didn't do it very well. It was really tight.

"My mum was at work, and I tried and tried and tried to undo it, but I couldn't. In the end I used my mum's sewing scissors.

"I knew my mum would be furious, and I had to hide upstairs when she got back!"

Without giving away the secrets from inside her book, Ms Shaw told Surrey Comet the basic principle.

She said: "At the end of the day, hair needs moisture and nourishment, and it doesn't matter what race you're from. That's the crux of the matter. It's how you give it those things that counts.

The book is called "Hair is Hair: how to nurture, strengthen and protect your natural hair structure"

Ms Shaw lamented: "I have some bald friends who want me to write a book called 'Bald is Bald', but I've had to disappoint them!"

To find the book, search for Eugenia Shaw on Amazon.