The skin-care trend has reached its peak. Starting from the minimalist step to the 10-step skin-care routine. But don’t you think something is still missing? Yes, it is hair and scalp care! Caring for our scalp and hair are just as important as it is for our skin. Their fundamental steps are pretty much the same. Whether you’re looking for a basic routine or something extra, we got you covered!

The Basic Routine

Caring for your hair is not as hard as you think, and your hair is just as important as taking good care of our facial skin. Cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting. The exact same steps as your regular skin-care routine!

1. Cleanse
2. Moisturize
3. Protect

#1. Cleanse:
ShampooJust like you have to wash your face, your scalp needs to be washed to remove the oil, debris and dirt. Did you know that you can use skin-inspired ingredients in your shampoo? Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (to keep your scalp moisturized), niacinamide (control sebum production) and nourish scalp (ceramides, to keep the scalp barrier healthy), and many more. Moreover, there are specific ingredients for each different scalp type.

• If you have a sensitive scalp (prone to irritation, flakiness and itchiness) choose a shampoo with calming ingredients such as oat, chamomile or niacinamide. Try to avoid fragrances and colorants in shampoo to prevent more irritation.
• For an oily scalp, ingredients such as tea tree, niacinamide or clay will help to absorb the excess oil and will control your scalp’s oil production. This will keep your hair on point for longer days without that greasy hair ruining your day. Good hair day is just a wash away!
• If you have a dry and flaky scalp, look for ingredients that are hydrating, moisturizing and repairing. Ingredients such as piroctone olamine, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid are your scalp’s best friend!

#2. Moisture:
Conditioner and Hair OilJust as washing your face takes moisture out of your skin, so does washing your scalp and hair. Therefore, it is important to moisturize them to prevent more water loss. Both water and oil balance are crucial because water can loosen up the cuticle protection from our hair, making each strand of hair more prone to damage and brittleness. But, at the same time, your hair requires a certain amount of moisture to be able to protect itself. This is when an occlusive oil can maintain our healthy crown.

After water loosens up the cuticle protection from our hair, a conditioner will seal that back in and make your hair smoother and shinier in no time. It will prevent future split ends, breakage and will further strengthen your hair strands. Use the conditioner right after shampooing.

If it’s not enough, and your hair still needs that extra shine and moisture, add a pump or spray your favorite hair oil! They usually smell amazing, as well, so it’s like catching two birds with one stone.

#3. Protect:
SPF for Your HairSun protection for your scalp is just as important as it is for your skin. It prevents UV radiation damage and free radicals’ formation. Do you know that your scalp and hair undergo “aging”, as well, as we age? UV damage is one of the factors for thinning of the hair as well as grey hair. That’s why protecting your hair with SPF is the secret to full, healthy and youthful-looking hair.

Oil-Free, lightweight spray sunscreen is the easiest and most convenient option to protect our hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Apply a generous amount to your scalp and hair before heading outside, especially if you head out during the middle of the day.

When You’re Feeling Extra

When you have a Korean 10-step routine for your face, why not for your hair? This is especially great when you are in a pampering mood, and you want your scalp and hair to join the party. Give your crown the love that it deserves.

1. Exfoliator
2. Tonic / Serum
3. Mask

#1: Exfoliator (Hair Scrub)
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin-cell buildup on the top layer of your skin. Exfoliate your scalp one to three times a week with either physical (salt, sugar or coffee scrub) or chemical exfoliators (Glycolic acid, salicylic acid) to reveal new and fresh skin. Wave goodbye to flaky hair!

#2: Hair Tonic and Serum
It can do more than just boosting hydration levels on your scalp with their skin-benefiting ingredients. If you want to prevent or even care for hair loss, you might want to give hair tonic-serum that is infused with hair-strand strengthening ingredients. Growth factors, biotin, peptides, and vitamins can help nourish your scalp and strengthen them from down the root. Massage the product in while applying to improve absorption while improving blood circulation around the scalp.

#3: Hair Mask
Long bath and hair mask. What can be better? Either the cream hair mask or hair pack, all of them are nourished with hair-nourishing and moisturizing ingredients. They are perfect for an additional weekend self-care ritual. Your hair will definitely thank you for that and shine like it never did before.

Slather the mask all over your hair down to the tips and cover it all with a hair cap for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off your hair.

For those who like it simple without getting your hands messy, you can get and invest on a prepacked hair mask. It usually comes in one individual hair cap covered in a hair mask; it can be a travel-friendly option for those of you who travel a lot.

Hair is the crown for every man and woman, and well-cared-for hair and a healthy crown will definitely boost your confidence and performance.


This article is from The Right Hairstyles

Jim Markham, founder and CEO of ColorProof Color Care Authority, notes that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 40 percent of American women will experience thinning hair at some point in their lives. But the causes—and therefore prevention and treatment techniques—can vary greatly. Here, we check in with leading haircare, lash and brow experts to determine how beauty pros can best proceed when faced with clients who crave a dose of added fullness.

Root Causes
Heather Ka’anoi, artistic director for John Paul Mitchell Systems, notes that aging, stress, hormonal imbalance, excessive styling, inadequate nutrition, pregnancy, an unhealthy scalp, heredity, breakage, dramatic weight loss, hypothyroidism, or an iron deficiency can cause hair loss. To identify the range of causes, Syrenthia Quinones, brand education manager for Nioxin, sums them up in six general categories.

Genetics: A family predisposition to thinning hair involves natural, age- related hormonal changes caused by the conversion of testosterone into the toxin dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can be inherited from a mother or father.

Stress and Trauma: Stress can produce increased levels of testosterone, which converts to DHT, interrupting the hair growth cycle. Stress also constricts the blood supply through the capillaries, restricting oxygen, nutrient uptake and vitamins to the follicle.

Health: Underlying issues may include a malfunction of the hormone- producing thyroid or the natural changes women experience after pregnancy and menopause.

Environmental: Air and water pollutants, chlorine, metals, and minerals left in the hair and on the scalp—as well as pseudo-estrogens and toxins from within our bodies—can contribute to thinning.

Medication: Hair follicles are extremely sensitive to changes in the body—e.g. hormonal therapies like birth control, steroids, specific chemotherapies, and medications for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or acne.

Nutrition and Diet: High consumption of animal fats, rapid weight loss and liquid protein diets can result in a lack of amino acids, biotin, iron, protein, and zinc—all essential for healthy-looking hair.

With these main culprits in mind, experts can break down how each affects the hair. Amir Yazdan M.D., founder of GroMD, explains that hormonal concerns, generally caused by elevated levels of DHT or menopause, create an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, while conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (which can increase testosterone levels) or a thyroid imbalance may be to blame. April Cox, national trainer for Eufora, adds that everyone has testosterone in their bodies, as well as the enzyme 5-alpha reductase—but when testosterone and 5-alpha reductase couple together, that forms DHT, creating havoc on scalps, thinning the hair bulb and, in turn, creating thin hair and lock loss.

​Markham remarks that at various times of life, the capability of hair follicle stem cells decreases, inhibiting the ability to regenerate the cells responsible for new growth. Rising levels of DHT cause follicles to shrink and produce thin, atrophied hair (and eventually stop producing new hair altogether). Stem cells, which contain the chemical messengers responsible for hair production, increasingly fail as we age, and the follicle is unable to generate a new, healthy growth phase—resulting in aging scalp tissue, thinning hair and graying. “There’s also poor microcirculation and buildup. A poor blood supply results in sluggish cell turnover, leading to the buildup of sebum and dead skin cells that plug the follicle, preventing hair growth,” Markham notes. “Finally, there’s the failure of new growth to anchor: As tissue repair mechanisms fail, the new, weakened hair is unable to anchor properly and begins to fall out.”

To complicate matters further, Michelle Blaisure, product development director for Bosley Professional Strength, reports that hair loss is often multifactorial; your client could have a myriad of causes at play, including genetics. “About 20 percent of women thin due to an inherited condition known as female pattern hair loss—the same inherited predisposition (androgenetic alopecia) that causes up to 66 percent of men to lose their hair by age 60,” Blaisure details. “Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is genetic predisposition causes the follicle in the crown and hairline to be sensitive to DHT, which, over time, shortens the hair life cycle, producing finer and weaker tresses, and can lead to changes in density. Men can go completely bald, often starting in their late teens or early 20s, while women experience di used thinning and may notice it in their mid-30s and 40s, when perimenopause starts.” Additionally, aging causes the hair growth cycles to slow, leading to a higher percentage of hair staying in the resting cycle—which, over time, leads to density and diameter changes: less hair, texture alterations, and weaker, drier, frizzier locks as hair loses its lipid layer.

Stress, a more common agent for hair loss in women, causes an increase in cortisol (the stress hormone), which over time “steals” hormones and nutrients the body needs to function well, leading to imbalance and deficiencies. “Since we don’t need hair to live, hair is last in line to get what it needs to grow in a healthy manner,” Blaisure explains. “Any type of traumatic event can also disrupt the hair cycle, leading to sudden excessive shedding (typically happening about three months after the event), but this will usually self-correct after a few months.” Additional culprits, she adds, can be chemical processes (think relaxers and bleach) if they cause damage to the scalp, leading to inflammation, breakage and hair loss; this can even extend to overuse of dry shampoo.

Health states or conditions also play a role: During pregnancy, hormone levels are high, but after childbirth, hormones return to their normal range—so all of the hair that didn’t fall out during pregnancy suddenly sheds at once. “ is also starts at about three months and usually self-corrects over time,” Blaisure notes. “Alternatively, many autoimmune disorders can cause hair shedding, and women seem to be more prone to these conditions.” Dr. Yazdan points to autoimmune conditions—a classification of conditions wherein the body attacks itself, which can include destroying the hair follicles—such as alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia and many more—as culprits. “Medications such as hormone replacement and birth control pills, steroids and, of course, chemotherapy, may cause hair loss, but differently in different clients,” adds Blaisure. Side effects of medications or chemotherapy treatments can generally be reversed if treated early, Dr. Yazdan explains, and notes that trauma, such as traction alopecia, accidents, surgeries, etc., can lead to short-term loss that can pass over time. Furthermore, Blaisure says, studies show that deficiencies in certain nutrients—namely vitamins C, D and B12, and minerals such as iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids—may contribute to hair loss. And, as hair is part of the skin structure, when the scalp receives sun damage, this injury can also impair the follicle.

​Finally, according to Bridgette Hill, aka “The Scalp therapist,” the location of the thinning can assist with determining if the cause is reactional or genetic. “Thinning around the hairline generally indicates a genetic predisposition, while allover thinning with no definitive bald patches typically points to reactional thinning,” Hill details. “The hair loss plan and products to treat reactional thinning will be needed temporarily, whereas a genetics-related hair loss plan and products would involve a lifetime change in her overall hair regimen.”

Read more of the article here for information on Preventative Measures, Extensions & Wigs, and Lash & Brow Losses.

Itchy, dry, red scalp. It’s embarrassing, painful and frustrating. And that’s just the way it looks. Having a scalp which is suffering these symptoms is also incredibly itchy, painful and can even sting and burn.
Is any shampoo safe?

Will any scalp treatment work?

Are you making your scalp worse by using anti-dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or anti-psoriasis shampoos?

Fact: the signs of contact allergy or irritant reaction to shampooing products can look and present exactly like dandruff and psoriasis.   You read that right, a badly chosen dandruff shampoo can actually exasperate your condition.

It’s easy to waft this away.

I’ve been using the same shampoo for months/years with no issue – it definitely cannot be my shampoo.

Or…

I used this shampoo a few days ago – it didn’t cause me a reaction straight away so it definitely cannot be my shampoo.

Fact: allergic contact dermatitis is not immediate. It can also take months and years of exposure to build.

This is why shampoo allergy can be enormously hard to pinpoint.

If you’re beginning to see that your scalp symptoms could be more than just dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis – keep reading. We spoke to Matthew Zirwas, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Bexley Dermatology, and 15 year expert in working with common, but difficult to treat, dermatologic diseases and problems.  And we spoke to Ruth Holroyd, founder of the award-winning blog What Allergy to find out more.

During the course of this article you’re going to learn;

What is an allergy and how do shampoo allergies develop?
What is the difference between an allergy and an irritation? – helpful if you’ve previously had a patch test
What shampoo ingredients cause allergies?
What is usually the first sign of contact dermatitis?
​
We start at the beginning…

You may have seen bar shampoo products when you’ve gone camping or traveling—they’re super easy to pack and totally TSA-friendly. However, in the wake of the “no poo” craze, the idea of lathering up with something other than liquid shampoo has become more and more common for your everyday. Thinking about swapping your traditional hair cleanser for a good ol’ bar? We consulted the experts to find out what you need to know before making the switch.

Essentially, bar shampoo is simply shampoo in bar form. As Brianne West, product formulator of Ethique says, “A good solid shampoo should do what a good liquid does—leave you with body and shine, without either drying the hair out or adding too much buildup.”

The Pros

Aside from being travel-friendly and seemingly longer-lasting than liquid shampoo, bars are touted as being able to get your hair back to its original, shiny, voluminous state by clearing away residue left from the chemicals found in traditional hair cleansers. “Plus, since shampoo bars do not strip hair in the same way as detergent-based shampoos can, you will notice a difference in the way your wet hair feels after washing,” Jamyla Bennu, creator and Grand Mixtress of Oyin Handmade, says.

How? Because many shampoo bars don’t include some of the icky additives used in commercial shampoos, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. “Many educated consumers have become wary of the detergents found in commercial shampoos, finding them unnecessarily stripping of the natural moisture of the hair and scalp,” she says.

Gentle, low-lather bar cleansers leave hair clean without feeling dry the way many detergent-based shampoos can. For some people, conditioner isn’t even needed after their hair adjusts in a couple washings with a bar.

The Cons

Chicago-based master stylist Jon-David says that because of the high concentration of cleanser in bar shampoos, they tend to have more a waxy consistency, which can build up in your hair.

“This happens because the soap—which is saponified oils and an alkali—reacts with water when you use it, and this forms soap scum,” says Kirsten Connor, formulator and creator at Flourish Body Care. To avoid this, many bar shampoo users rinse with apple cider vinegar to remove the coating and shine their hair.

Those with long, porous or curly hair especially may also experience tangles and frizz, along with that “coated” feeling, something Susonnah G. Barklow, editor at NaturallyCurly.com, knows all too well. “Personally, I find the act of rubbing a bar of soap on my head awkward,” she says. “And it almost always results in very tangled hair.”

How to Choose One

If you want to go for it, there are actually three broad categories of shampoo bars out there, according to hair and makeup pro Grace Mahoney, owner of Blushing Brides. The first are cold-processed shampoo bars (typically made by home crafters and natural products companies). They’re usually chock-full of natural oils, which help condition your hair, and are typically free of sodium lauryl sulfate. (These tend to be the ones that cause buildup, she says, and might require an apple cider vinegar rinse).

Then, there are glycerin-based shampoo bars, which tend to be more gentle and pH balanced, but they might not be as clarifying as other shampoos and won’t lather as well. Finally, there are solid surfactant shampoo bars (think of the kind made by Lush), which lather the best and are more pH balanced but can be a bit too clarifying for some hair.

Really, it’s all about trial and error and, of course, avoiding products with bad-for-hair ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate. (Really, any sulfates should be avoided). Sodium hydroxide—an extremely strong alkali that is used to make soap along with oils and fats—is another one to look out for. “The reaction that takes place produces a mildly alkali product—soap with a pH of 8–9,” Bennu says. “Since hair varies between pH 4 and 5 and doesn’t have an acid mantle like skin, this pH difference leaves the cuticle sticking up, resulting in rough, dull hair, which over time can cause damage.”

To use, natural hair expert Amanda Starghill, of NaturallyCurly.com, suggests cutting the bar into smaller portions so it’s easier to apply directly to the scalp. Ahead are some top-rated options to get you started.

 
This article is from StyleCaster

Everybody loves a soft, silky finish when we apply hair products. But what cost are you willing to incur in order to achieve that slippery finish? Did you know that companies add cheap, man-made plastics, aka silicones, to give your hair that fake feeling? Silicones in hair products can pose a major risk to your hair and health. Read on to figure out what ingredients you need to watch for in your hair products!

What Are Silicones?
Silicone is technically a mineral, but companies produce it on the cheap to achieve slip and shine in hair care products. Modern-day silicones are man-made plastics that make hair feel hydrated when its technically just covered in a slippery coating. Silicones in hair products are typically added to avoid spending on truly hydrating ingredients.

Why Are Silicones in Hair Products Bad for You?
Instead of actually repairing your hair, silicones fill in the uneven texture with cheap, man-made plastic. Silicones also interfere with cell renewal, they can trap debris in your hair shaft and can block other ingredients in your expensive products from penetrating creating a barrier. As if this wasn’t bad enough, silicones in hair conditioners are notoriously difficult to remove. Even if you rinse multiple times, the most common silicone, dimethicone, is insanely heavy (compared to its size) and leaves a thick coating.

How Can You Spot Bad Silicones on an Ingredients label?
You don’t have to have a Ph.D. to spot these devil compounds in your product labels. Look for words that end with this: -cones, -conols, -silanes, and -siloxanes. You need to be extra suspicious when buying hydrating shampoos and conditioners, leave-in and mask treatments as well as hair oils and styling creams. The above mentioned product categories typically run the highest risk for silicon additives.

This information is brought to you from Mane Addicts