Delving into the intricacies of scalp health, we sought guidance from Samantha Stewart, MIT, a Trichologist and scalp expert with three decades of experience at The Spencer Clinic of Trichology. With distinguished qualifications from the Institute of Trichologists, including the prestigious John Firmage Award, Samantha is a revered figure in the field.
As a tutor and board member at the Institute, she fosters excellence in trichology education while championing advancements in hair care. Named ambassador and resident trichologist for Hair Gain in 2023, her journey exemplifies dedication to transformative hair solutions. Learn with us as we uncover her insights into common scalp health queries…
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FAQS
What is the scalp’s microbiome, and how can I balance it?
The scalp microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that live on the scalp. This microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining scalp health, and an imbalance can lead to various scalp conditions.
It is so important to keep the scalp microbiome balanced as this helps to decrease scalp irritation, itching and scaling. It is important to choose products that contain ingredients that support it and will not cause an imbalance as this can contribute to an overgrowth of certain microbes and can trigger or exacerbate certain scalp conditions, cause a breakdown in the skin’s barrier function as this could lead to infection. There have been lots of studies that show when we have an imbalance of our gut microbiome it can have a negative impact on our skin, scalp, hair and systemic health. A balanced systemic and cutaneous microbiome is critical to support overall health.
Are there scalp-specific prebiotics and probiotics that can benefit my hair?
Adding probiotics and prebiotics to our diet can help to support the skin and gut microbiome which helps support overall scalp and hair health. Prebiotics are a food source of good bacteria. They work by selectively promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, while inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. Products that contain prebiotic ingredients like inulin can help to support the scalp microbiome therefore decreasing the chances of scalp inflammation.
How can I personalise my scalp care routine based on my individual needs? Consumers are increasingly seeking customised solutions beyond mass-market products?
Personalising your scalp care routine involves understanding your individual scalp needs and choosing products and practices that address those needs. The use of scalp exfoliating products is key in supporting a healthy scalp environment. Adding this to your routine weekly will remove any build up on the scalp that could cause irritation.
Using a scalp massager when shampooing can help stimulate blood to the hair follicles and remove toxins which will improve overall scalp health. Make sure to address any scalp conditions by seeing a trichologist or dermatologist rather than googling signs and symptoms as this can lead to misinformation, incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
What are the latest innovations in scalp care technology and ingredients?
As a trichologist we have always focused on the health of the scalp, so some of the “new” scalp care technology trends and ingredients have been used in trichology for many years. We have always understood the importance of keeping the scalp microbiome balanced and ensuring that there is no build-up of sebum and skin cells. Trichologists have always employed ingredients such as salicylic acid for its exfoliating properties.
Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid which is a humectant, which attracts and binds moisture to the scalp. This has been used in skin care for years and more recently for the hair and scalp. It helps keep the scalp hydrated and helps support the scalps barrier function. Scalp massages/brushes are a great way to support overall scalp health.
Antioxidants are ingredients that work against oxidative stress on the scalp. There have been many studies that have found that oxidative stress can exacerbate androgenetic alopecia so using products that have ingredients that have antioxidant properties such as green tea, naturally sourced caffeine and panthenol can help to reduce oxidative stress.
When looking at the latest hair care trend, it is important to not get sucked into the latest trend and first ask yourself why do I need this?
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