The "Skinification" of Hair
It's time to flip the script on hair care. Instead of the traditional focus on our ends or repairing existing damage, the spotlight is shifting to the root: nourishing and caring for our scalp. So what does the term ‘skinification’ refer to, which has been recently coined by hair experts? It literally means considering your haircare as skincare… for your scalp!
The truth is: hair health begins with the scalp. Pillow-proofing, strengthening, and protecting the length of your locks all starts with a healthy scalp environment. Our scalp microbiome dramatically affects the appearance of our hair, so it's essential to give our scalp the treatment it deserves.
Let's dive into the 'skinification' of hair, shining the spotlight on scalp care for a total hair health overhaul.
'Skinifying' your haircare routine
In recent years, a lot has been discovered about the hidden powerhouse at our roots — the scalp microbiome. This is made up of billions of tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi that each play an important part in keeping your scalp and hair healthy.
This move towards 'skinification' marks a shift in how we view haircare altogether. Just like the rest of our skin, it's important to keep our scalp ecosystem balanced. An unhealthy microbiome can lead to thinning strands, dandruff, breakage, and excess oil production.
Select natural products
The most important step in your new scalp-first haircare routine? Choose gentle and natural products developed with your scalp's delicate balance in mind. Avoid harsh ingredients like sulfates and parabens that strip away essential vitamins, minerals and oils from our scalp.
Look for scalp-loving actives
Opt for nourishing formulas such as our 2-Step Vitamin Haircare System infused with 7 science-backed vitamins and botanicals designed to work with the microbiome. Our bespoke blend infuses a carefully curated combination of Vegan Keratin, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin C, Calendula, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E and Frankincense that help restore natural moisture and protect against damage, delivering nutrients directly to the site of our hair follicles to help promote healthy hair growth while strengthening the scalp's natural barrier.
Personalise your routine as needed
Once your scalp is clean and prepped, you can start to look into targeted treatments that focus on more specific issues. If your scalp is feeling itchy and irritated, reach for soothing, anti-inflammatory treatments such as elixirs formulated with calming ingredients, such as botanicals and vitamins. These will help to reduce inflammation, combat dandruff, stimulate circulation and improve your scalp's overall health.
If your scalp's natural balance has been disrupted by environmental factors, try a nourishing oil treatment to help replenish moisture levels. Natural oils like jojoba, coconut and argan are rich in fatty acids that help to restore the scalp's natural oils and promote hydration, keeping it healthy for longer. You can also apply our Nourishing Vitamin Conditioner to the scalp and leave on for 5-10 minutes as a deeply hydrating mask.
Include pro-scalp foods in your diet
As well as the outside, nourishing from within is key. An effective and balanced diet rich in proteins, Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and D can help create an environment where your microbiome thrives.
Hacks to keep your scalp happy
In addition to incorporating healthy products into our routine, it's also important to treat the scalp with some extra TLC.
Self-massage
Give yourself a mini-scalp massage whenever you can to help increase blood flow to the roots and stimulate growth! For a two in one approach, massage essential oils or hair serums onto your scalp to soothe and nourish.
Exfoliate away
You can also use a dry brush or comb to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. It's also a great way to evenly distribute oils from the roots to the tips, giving you smooth, healthy-looking hair with a wonderful boost of shine.
Stress less
It's also important to pay attention to lifestyle factors that can affect the scalp microbiome, such as stress levels, pollution and sleep. Taking the time to relax and unwind is essential for keeping your scalp healthy and happy.
The bottom line: A healthy scalp is the first step to healthy hair. Embrace the 'skinification' of haircare to nourish your scalp and support your whole head of hair! Give your scalp the treatment it deserves with gentle and natural products, targeted treatments and mindful lifestyle decisions. You'll be rewarded with beautiful, healthy hair — from root to tip!