Prescribing For Your Clients

The Healthy Scalp

We all know a healthy scalp is the first step to healthy hair. Cosmetology 101 taught us that. On my first day in beauty school I learned that in order to have thick healthy hair the client should always vigorously massage the scalp when shampooing. It stimulates circulation and increases the blood flow to the follicle. Modern science has proven that the hair follicle is one of the body's most rapidly metabolizing tissues and that this high metabolic rate demands an abundant supply of blood to carry oxygen and other nutrients to these cells. If the blood supply diminishes, the follicle cells will wither and die. To grow hair we need proper nutrition and healthy circulation.

DHT and Hair Loss

The adrenal glands above the kidneys produce androgenic hormones. The testicles produce testosterone. Androgens and testosterone (in particular it's hormone DHT) cause the hair follicles to regress and die. The DHT binds itself to special receptors on the cell of the hair follicles, thereby causing the changes associated with balding. DHT also decreases the hair's growing cycle and increases the hair's resting phase, which in turn makes the hair shaft progressively smaller. This is why many men who don't lose their hair do however have to contend with thinning hair as they age.

Shampoo & Conditioning for Men

The difference between shampoo and a shampoo specifically formulated for men is huge. Most shampoos on the salon shelves are formulated with women in mind. They make the hair softer and silkier, they moisturize or volumize. They are formulated for someone with hair longer than 6 inches from the scalp. This is why we rarely see a shampoo commercial or advertisement featuring a woman with short hair. The vast majority of shampoo formulations do not deal with scalp issue such as DHT or exfoliation. This is where male specific formulations come into play. By utilizing natural & organic ingredients blended with essential oils, we've created 3 distinct shampoo formulas that exfoliate the scalp while gently cleansing the hair. In creating our conditioner, we chose to create a weightless toning conditioner. When used together daily, they form a system for achieving optimal health of the scalp and longevity of the hair.

Daily Shampoo is formulated for normal to oily hair and employs mild surfactants to cleanse and exfoliate while apple cider vinegar acts as a ph balancing toner. A simple, effective and gentle way to achieve optimum results.

Thickening Shampoo for fine and thinning hair utilizes organic barley and hops (beer to you and me). Similar to our daily formula, the addition of these natural sugars back fills the hair cuticle and fattens things up a bit. The coolest part of this formula is that unlike most thickening shampoos, it won't make your hair dry or brittle.

Sensitive Shampoo is formulated for sensitive or problem scalps and contains no sulfates that sensitive scalps find irritating. We use coconut oils to gently cleanse. Though the lather won't be large and fulsome, if you've got a tender scalp prone to irritation, you can't beat this formula for optimal scalp health. It's color safe too.

Daily Conditioner is not like any conditioner you've used before. It adds a healthy shine and strengthens the hair shaft without making your hair flat or fly away. It tones the scalp, in particular the hair follicle, and helps to stimulate circulation.

The Last Word

Until recently, no one's been talking about the health of a man's scalp. Most of the information our male clients receive on hair and scalp comes from the barber or stylist. Information from dandruff advertisements can be misleading. It's up to us to educate and inform. Bear in mind that today's average man takes good care of himself. He eats well, works out and cares about his image. Let's give him some guidance now that will serve him in the years to come and will allow us a full canvas from which to work.