Remember the old adage “100 strokes a day”?  There is something to be said about age old wisdom when it comes to beauty.  And while we don’t need to commit to 100  strokes a day, much of our hair and scalp health can be addressed by daily, simple practices that yield BIG results. 

Define artists Melanie Otto, Christa Whipple, and Bekah Morris drop some wisdom this month on keeping our scalps and hair in optimal shape. 

Melanie’s advice is as easy as 1,2,3 – “you need to be brushing your hair.  Brushing every day and with multiple strokes at a time, this moves oil down from scalp through the mid shaft and ends, stimulating the scalp and increasing blood flow. Our scalps are suffocating daily under dry shampoo and thirsty skin, so think of it as a massage for the scalp and the trick is really moving the hair around, brushing side to side, front to back. Even our curly girls! Remembering to focus on scalp all while being gentle with the hair ”.  Brushing not only helps with scalp health but promotes healthy, shiny hair too. 

Another simple change is to double cleanse – that’s right, two shampoos in the shower is one of the easiest ways to keep your scalp healthy and problem free.  But how do we double cleanse?  First, wet hair thoroughly and then start with shampoo in both hands.  Lather hands to activate the product and then apply to head starting with the scalp and top of head and working your way down the hair strands, still focusing on the scalp behind the nape of your neck.  If you don’t get a good lather, add more water not more shampoo.  Many of the professional shampoos we retail at Define Hair & Skin are concentrated so water will activate the product! This 1st shampoo is lifting the build up off the scalp and then a 2nd shampoo (using the same shampoo technique) rinses away the build up and actually cleans the scalp.  Excess build up from dry shampoos and hair products require a double shampoo each time you cleanse. If you do not shampoo daily, then plan to work two shampoos into each cleaning. 

Even with regular brushing and double cleansing, many of us still struggle with different scalp concerns. Christa highlights some of the common offenders and how we can combat them before they wreck havoc on our scalps. “One of the most common is wet scalp fungus.  This looks like dandruff but actually is not; it is caused from the scalp being left wet too long (like washing before bed and pulling it back). If you wash at night, dry the scalp throughly to avoid fungus growth.  This equally applies after a hard workout where the scalp becomes sweaty. If you already suspect you suffer from this, do a double cleanse with a clarifier like Redken’s Hair Cleansing Creme and then follow with a targeted shampoo and conditioner of choice. Scalp psoriasis is another common challenge, often flaring up in the cold weather. For this a medicated shampoo followed a targeted scalp shampoo, like Oribe’s Serene Scalp collection, will keep psoriasis at bay. Daily shampooing is best practice for this condition and again ensuring the scalp is dry right away.” 

When it comes to scalp detox and calming, Bekah turns to her favorites in the Davines natural tech line. The consistency of the results across many different people/scalps has been the best she’s experienced in her career. Bekah’s advice: “My favorite scalp health shampoo is Davines’ Purifying Shampoo.  I love that it’s for greasy or dry dandruff and it will clarify the scalp and aid in detoxifying the scalp, without harshly removing our natural oils. This in turn will help create the best environment for healthy hair growth.  I will admit, the smell of the shampoo is not ideal – it is very earthy but it is one of the best scalp health shampoos I have tried in my 10+ year career. I would recommend for everyone to have this in their shower and to use it once or twice a month if you’re not having consistent issues. And if you’re having consistent issues, use it as your first shampoo every time you shampoo your hair until your issues resolve. 

My second scalp must-have product for itching and irritation is Davines’ Calming Super Active Spray.  This product is magic when your scalp gets very itchy. You might be having an allergic reaction to getting your color done, from sweat after a workout, or your scalp might be dry and itchy. This product is a game changer and needs to be in everyone’s medicine cabinet. And when you use it with the calming shampoo, it gives an extra level of care for a sensitive scalp.” Our knowledgeable team here at Define can further personalize a great plan to support and nourish your scalp health. 

Shampoo advice – check.  Scalp concerns addressed – check.  Favorite scalp recommendations to grab at your next Define visit – check.  So what are we missing to keep caring for our hair? Deep treatments! We re-designed our in-salon treatment menu to bring you the best experiences that you can pair with any hair service.  From head spa scalp scrubs to intensive hydration masques, we are excited to launch our new backbar experiences with you this month.  Ask your Define artist which treatment is best for your hair and scalp needs and enjoy $5 off your 1st scalp spa experience by mentioning this blog when booking or at check out. We can’t wait to care for you soon!