Everything you ever wanted to know about your scalp – Part Two
Photo: Unsplash+ in collaboration with Getty Images
Last week, we ran an in-depth Q+A with Scandinavian Biolabs founder Anders Reckendorff – riveting stuff, we think, about the importance of scalp health – and a lot to take in.
But there’s more! So we decided to split this really comprehensive info into two chunks, and this week, bring you Part Two, covering everything from hair loss (increasingly a problem for women) to the dreaded dandruff. (NB One of the things that makes Scandinavian Biolabs interesting to us is that they offer targeted regimes for women’s hair challenges, particularly in terms of hair loss, which can be different from men’s.)
We think you’ll be fascinated. (And your follicles will thank you for reading to the end…)
Is there a difference between dry scalp and dandruff? And what can we do to tackle it?
Dandruff and a dry, flaky scalp both cause itching and flakes on the scalp, but they have distinct characteristics and causes. Flakes from a dry scalp are smaller and dry, whereas dandruff flakes are larger, oily, and typically yellow or white. Dandruff is caused by excess oil on the scalp, which leads to dead skin cell which then causes the itchy feeling and the formation of flakes. Dandruff can be triggered by several factors including fungus, oily skin, hormonal imbalances, stress, or poor hygiene. And any skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can also contribute to dandruff. In contrast, a flaky scalp is primarily due to dryness (lack of oil), indicating a need for more moisture.
Improve a dry, flaky scalp by making sure you have a gentle, thorough hair-washing routine to boost scalp moisture and health:
1. Use a moisturising and sulphate-free shampoo – sulphates can strip the hair and scalp of moisture causing further dryness and irritation. Look for sulphate-free formulas with added moisturising ingredients. Our Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo/£21 for 250ml, helps to balance, reduce excessive sebum and soothe dry scalps with moisturising agents like niacinamide and Amaranthus caudatus, also known as ‘velvet flower’.
2. Use warm water – avoid hot water when cleansing your hair as this can cause further dehydration and dryness. Instead, keep the water lukewarm during shampooing, and wash off the conditioner with cold water to effectively retain moisture.
3. Massage your scalp – A scalp massager like our Scandinavian Biolabs Scalp Stimulating Massager/£17, can help with gently exfoliating and sloughing away dead skin cells from your scalp. This will help reduce flakes and provide a clean canvas for hair serums or any other hair care later.
If you have a 'normal', well-behaved scalp – not itchy, no hair fall, no dryness – should you still worry about taking extra care of it?
Even if your scalp seems "normal" and well-behaved, maintaining its health is crucial for several reasons.
1. Preventative – like other parts of your body, preventative care for your scalp can help avoid potential issues down the line, such as dandruff, scalp psoriasis, or hair loss. Regular maintenance ensures the scalp environment remains balanced and can prevent the onset of conditions that might disrupt scalp health.
2. Optimal hair growth – the scalp is the foundation for hair. A healthy scalp promotes healthier, stronger hair growth. By nurturing the scalp, you're essentially ensuring that your hair has the best possible conditions to grow.
3. Ageing and changes in scalp health – as we age, the skin of the scalp can undergo changes, such as decreased sebum production, which can lead to dryness and irritation. Regular care can help mitigate these effects by keeping the scalp moisturised and nourished.
Does the type of water – hard, soft – that comes out of our taps impact on scalp health, and what can we do to mitigate that?
‘Yes, the type of water – hard or soft water – can indeed impact scalp health. Hard water contains high concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Hard water can lead to mineral buildup on the scalp and hair strands, making hair feel rough and can create a ‘film’ over the scalp making it harder for moisture to actually penetrate. Mineral deposits can, if left untreated, clog follicles and pores, resulting in inflammation, dryness, itchiness and dandruff.
Soft water, on the other hand, has fewer minerals. It allows for easier formation of lather with shampoos and more effective rinsing of hair care products. However, because it can cause hair to become almost too soft, it may leave hair feeling limp and difficult to style.
Use a scalp massager when shampooing to help provide a gentle exfoliation when shampooing and help remove any residue, build up on the scalp. Use a balancing, moisturising shampoo free-from any sulphates like our Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo/£21 for 250ml. You can also buy a water filter/softener for your shower head which help remove excess minerals from hard water. These filters are typically easier to install and more cost-effective than whole-home systems.
For the many concerned about hair loss, what are your top tips and what are the best products to be using?
1. Get to the root of hair loss with targeted treatments like our Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum/£49 for 100ml. Powered by stem cell technology, multiple plant growth factors help nurture hair follicles and stimulate blood flow to encourage hair growth and help reduce hair shedding. Our 100% vegan and drug-free formula is packed with active ingredients found in nature and synthesized by science for optimal efficacy to help support, rebalance and optimise the hair’s growth cycle.
Key actives work to synergistically help support the hair follicle:
HotFlux® – a mild warming agent that can create a warm, tingling sensation on the scalp to stimulate blood flow – and so nutrient and oxygen delivery – to the scalp and hair follicles to encourae hair growth.
Capilia Longa® - derived from tumeric and rich in plant growth factors, it can help to reactivate growth in dormant hair follicles while providing nourishment for optimal growth.
Niacinamide – Keratin-boosting and protein-rich to strengthen and improve integrity of hair and protect the scalp from oxidative damage.
For the best results, we recommend daily use for 150 days, with results showing in just 45 days of use, based on our clinical study, where 93% had a clinically tested reduction in hair loss.
2. Take a holistic hair loss approach. Our Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine/£77, is a 3-step routine, with each product formulated with our Bio-Pilixin® formula and designed to work in harmony with the other to not only help stimulate hair growth but also prime, balance and support the scalp to create the optimal environment for hair to flourish and nourish, protect and strength the hair to help prevent future damage. (It features Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo/normally £21 for 250ml, Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Recovery Conditioner/£26 for 250ml, and Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum/£49 for 100ml.
It can be counterproductive to focus on just a single treatment without assessing your entire haircare routine. We believe in eliminating sulphates and silicones from your haircare, limit heat styling and be mindful of your diet. Stress is another huge factor contributing to hair shedding and hair loss – so try to find the tools that work for you to reduce stress levels.
3. Be consistent. This is crucial when it comes to hair loss. Daily application of products such as our Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum will give you best results in just 45 – 150 days. The more disciplined and consistent you are the better and faster you will see a difference.
4. Again, make scalp massage a routine. Incorporate a stimulating scalp massage to maximize your hair growth efforts – boost blood flow to help encourage hair growth.
5. Embrace inside-out nutrition. A well-balanced diet is crucial for maintaining healthy hair growth. Ensure your body gets all the vital nutrients it needs to provide your scalp with the essential building blocks for optimal growth and vitality.
Is patience a virtue, here? How soon can we expect to see benefits with a hair loss regime?
It really does depend on the individual, but patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to treating hair loss. From our clinical study we know you can expect to see results and reduction in hair shedding in just 45 days and 150 days to see new hair growth. It’s all down to your hair growth cycle. The hair growth basically has four phases; Anagen (the growth phase) when there is active cell division and noticeable hair growth, Catagen (the regression phase) over 2 – 3 weeks cell production is halted and the hair follicle shrinks, Telogen (the resting phase) – when follicles are dormant or cell quiescence and Exogen (the shedding phase) – couple with the telogen phase, this is when hairs fall out of the follicle, during which new hair begins to grow as it returns to the anagen phase.
So, what happens when you lose your hair or experience hair loss, is that your growth phase (anagen) gets shorter. Our philosophy is all about helping rebalancing the hair growth cycle to stimulate the hair growth (anagen) phase and shorten the resting (telogen) phase, encouraging hair growth and decreasing hair shedding.
Patience and consistency are key. Even 45 days might seem long, but for true, natural and lasting growth it takes more than a few washes or applications – and after initial results, continued use is vital for lasting results. We offer our customers a money back guarantee after 150 days.
Does a cold rinse help the scalp?
For the scalp, a cold rinse can be invigorating and can help to temporarily reduce the dilation of blood vessels. This can be beneficial if you’re prone to inflammation or itching, as it might reduce redness and soothe irritation temporarily.
For more, visit scandinavianbiolabs.co.uk
