A lthough we routinely exfoliate our face and body for softer, more glowing skin, our scalp has been largely ignored – until now. In the quest for glossier, healthier-looking hair, a whole new category has emerged, and with good reason. Looking after your scalp really does change your hair for the better. Just like your face, the scalp responds well to regular exfoliation. That’s because hair follicles can easily become blocked due to dead skin cells, product build-up and sebum, which slows hair growth. The new category of scalp hair care products promises less breakage and hair loss, new growth and stronger locks, and goes well beyond the traditional shampoo and conditioner routine. It includes hair sunscreen (an easy-to-use mist spray that won’t make hair feel greasy), serums that work on multi- specific problems, bamboo combs (naturally antibacterial, they improve circulation and blood flow to the scalp, promoting growth and reducing frizz), and micro- needling scalp rollers to promote hair growth. A word of caution: overusing these targeted products can have the opposite effect and lead to scalp irritation, and micro- needling should only be carried out by a professional to avoid the risk of infection. Finally, if you are tempted to use a dry shampoo to freshen your hair between washes, only use it occasionally, as it has been linked to scalp irritation and hair loss from overuse.
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5 TIPS FOR HEALTHY SCALP AND HAIR
1. TRY A WEEKLY SCALP SCRUB A scrub removes dead skin from the scalp, helping to eliminate product build-up (from hairspray, heat protectors), boost blood flow and promote growth. Use it right before you shampoo and condition. We love: A’kin Purifying Scalp Revival Scrub, $21.95. 2. DON A WEEKLY MASK Hair needs biotin for strength and resilience. Eat more biotin-rich foods, including sunflower seeds, seafood, eggs and mushrooms, and apply a mask that is silicone-free (to prevent blocking hair follicles at the scalp). We love: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Length Retention Treatment Pack with Biotin, $3.99. 3. PROTECT FROM THE SUN Scalp is skin, so it needs protection from burning. Hair also suffers from exposure to UVA (colour damage) and UVB (keratin depletion), so apply a hair-specific sunscreen. Also, because hair is like a sponge, always wet it under a shower/tap before jumping into a pool or the ocean, to prevent locks from absorbing too much of the moisture-stripping chlorine or salt water. We love: Sun Bum Protecting Scalp & Hair Mist SPF30, $21.99. 4. CONDITION THE RIGHT WAY Still conditioning just the ends, worried that coating your whole hair will make it flat? It won’t. Think of conditioner like a facial moisturiser and apply all over. Take extra care as wet hair is at its most fragile and use a wide-tooth bamboo comb. We love: Toni & Guy Bamboo Detangling Comb, $10. 5. ADD A RESULTS-DRIVEN TREATMENT Just a few pumps of highly-concentrated active ingredient serum added to your own shampoo will let you address your hair and scalp concerns, whether it’s thinning, dull- ness or itchiness. Mix and match the serums (pioneered by Australian brand HairShots)
to create a customised hair care experience at home. We love: HairShots, $40 each (from myhairshots.com).
WIG CARE
I f you wear a wig, the main thing to know about looking after it is whether it is made from human hair, or synthetic hair. The main difference is that you can’t heat-dry synthetic hair wigs, as they can melt. If you have a real hair wig, then the maintenance won’t be too dissimilar to natural hair – you just wash it in the sink rather than in the shower, then air dry or blow dry on low heat. You will probably need to wash it every week or two. Synthetic wigs require washing every four to six weeks. First, soak the hair for up to five minutes in a sink with cool water and wig-specific shampoo, then rinse but do not wring. Blot with a towel and hang on a wig stand for three to four hours to dry. Regardless of whether you have a synthetic or human hair wig, style it using only wig-specific products, store it upright on a wig stand and cover to avoid it getting dusty.
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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2023 DARE
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