Keeping Your Scalp and Hair Healthy

While your scalp is definitely top of head, it’s likely that your scalp health is not a priority. It’s incredibly easy to ignore the status of your scalp until it starts to get uncomfortable. It is the same with hair health. Unless it is looking dull or dry, or not growing as quickly as you’d like or falling out more quickly than you’d like, you’re probably not paying very much attention to it. The result is, we end up looking for products and routines to treat the individual symptoms instead of creating a holistic hair care routine focused on solutions and prevention.

While the health of your hair and scalp are related, they are not always able to be treated the same way. And sometimes the issue effecting one is the exact opposite of the problem you may be having with the other. For example, it is entirely possible to have extremely dry hair, and an excessively oily scalp (and vice versa) at the same time.

Most products designed to treat an oily scalp are extremely drying. While this may solve your scalp problem, those products are going to dry out your hair even more. To counteract this, you’ll likely reach for a new product combination designed to infuse a ton of moisture into your hair. This seems like the right approach, until you start to see that those products are also moisturizing your scalp. Which has you once again reaching for the oily scalp treatment and the whole cycle repeats itself. Sound familiar?

The secret to treating and preventing hair and scalp health issues is in crafting a balanced care approach that addresses your hair and scalp health. This includes using specific products at specific times, in order to maintain a holistically healthy routine.

The Problem: Oily Scalp

How much oil your scalp produces is mostly genetic, but there can be environmental factors that can contribute to this condition. Your scalp produces special oils (sebum) to keep your skin and hair moisturized and protected. It also increases this output in response to perceived threats.

For instance, allergic reactions (to topical products or foods/medications), over-washing, and using harsh, chemical-laden products on your hair can all contribute to increased oil production. When treating an oily scalp, it’s important to keep any special treatment that your hair may require in mind as well.

Oily Scalp with Normal Hair:  Normalizing Shampoo + Daily Conditioner

For best results:  Use with every wash until the scalp condition is under control. Then, alternate 1- 2x/week with Daily Shampoo.

Oily Scalp with Color-Treated Hair: Normalizing Shampoo + Color Maintainer Conditioner

For best results: Use with every wash, until the scalp condition is under control. Then, alternate  1-2x week with Color Maintainer Shampoo.

Oily Scalp with Dry/Damaged Hair: Normalizing Shampoo + Integrity Nourishing Conditioner

For best results: Use with every wash, until the scalp condition is under control. Then, alternate 1-2x week with Integrity Nourishing Shampoo OR Moisture Plus Shampoo.

The Problem: Dandruff

Your scalp is constantly producing and shedding skin cells, however they are usually far too small for us to see. Dandruff is basically just larger flakes of skin, that are visible to the eye. It occurs when there is an overproducing of skin cells, which leads to larger flakes. No one really knows what causes it, but dandruff is widely considered to be mostly genetic. Interestingly, this condition usually worsens in winter, when the lack of moisture in the air leads to drier skin.

A more serious form of this condition—known as seborrheic dermatitis, is characterized by pink, itchy flakes and is best treated by a doctor or dermatologist.

Dandruff with Normal Hair: Purifying Shampoo + Daily Conditioner

For best results: Use with every wash, until the scalp condition is under control. Then, alternate with Daily Shampoo.

Dandruff with Color Treated Hair: Purifying Shampoo + Color Maintainer Conditioner

For best results: Use with every wash, until the scalp condition is under control. Then, alternate 1-2x/week with Color Maintainer Shampoo.

Dandruff with Dry/Damaged Hair: Purifying Shampoo + Integrity Nourishing Conditioner

For best results: Use with every wash, until the scalp condition is under control. Then, alternate 1-2x/week with Integrity Nourishing Shampoo OR Moisture Plus Shampoo.

The Problem: Thinning/Frail Hair

Despite the popular belief that thinning hair is simply a natural by product of aging, there are multiple potential causes. From genetics, to diet and lifestyle factors, even repeated harmful product usage and/or side effects of medication can contribute to loss of hair density.

You can treat thinning, however, while still painting overall hair health.

milk_shake Product Rx

Normal Thinning Hair: Energizing Blend Shampoo + Conditioner + Treatment

For best results: Use with every wash. Apply Energizing Blend Treatment*

Color Treated Thinning Hair: Energizing Blend Shampoo + Conditioner + Treatment

For best results: Use with every wash, until the condition is under control. Then, alternate with Color Maintainer Shampoo + Conditioner. Apply Energizing Blend Treatment*

Dry-Damaged Thinning Hair: Energizing Blend Shampoo + Conditioner + Treatment

For best results: Use with every wash, until the condition of the hair is under control. Then, alternate with Integrity Nourishing Shampoo OR Moisture Plus Shampoo + Conditioner. Apply Energizing Blend Treatment*

*The Energizing Blend  treatment can be used: 2 x for 4 weeks, then 1 x week ( For more intense results the treatment can be used: 1 X day)

 It is possible to address and maintain scalp and hair health, simultaneously. Even if you are having seemingly opposite issues. Use the guide above to help you craft the perfect holistic hair and scalp care routine for you and when in doubt, consult with a hair professional.