Head Start

AS WE CONTINUE to

invest more time, energy and money into at-home self-care this summer, it makes sense that scalp care is trending. In fact, there are over 12,000 web searches for scalp scrub in the U.S. every month and interest has grown over 40 percent since last year. “A bath with a hair mask and a scalp massage can be so therapeutic to the body and soul,” says Toronto-based celebrity hairstylist Jukka. Plus, he says, proper scalp care can also help hair growth, in addition to minimizing dryness, flaking, oiliness and buildup. That’s why powerhouse skincare brands including the Body Shop, Neutrogena, and Drunk Elephant are jumping on board.

Caring for our scalps should be treated as an extension of our skincare routines, says Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, a principal scientist for Procter & Gamble. It’s the key to a head of healthy, beautiful locks. “Think of a plant,” she says. “It needs healthy soil to grow. The same goes for hair; it needs a healthy scalp.” One of the most common scalp issues, dandruf is caused when the microbe Malassezia Globosa (found on all scalps) interacts with natural oils from the head and causes a reaction. A person’s response is dependent on genetics and the sensitivity of their scalp, says Dr. Wilkerson, but symptoms include flakes, itchiness and dryness.

Even if someone doesn’t have dandruf, they may still be dealing with scalp issues: Products that prolong salon results (think dry shampoo) can cause buildup over time, says Kevin Truong, national pro beauty educator for Sephora Canada. That buildup can lead to irritation like dryness, excess sebum. Over-washing and scratching the scalp can damage hair follicles, leading to breakage and hair loss—so it’s important to address issues right away.

“Categorizing scalp concerns the way we do for skincare has created a great conversation, with everyone’s individual wants and needs being addressed,” says Truong. “There have been impressive innovations in textures: thinner serums and oils, thicker textures like creams and balms, and physical exfoliants for a fully sensorial experience.” Simply put: Caring for your scalp is now as personal as caring for your skin and will boost the effects of the rest of your routine. “For some, it may mean less shampooing,” says Truong, “for others it means different styling methods with better and longer-lasting results.

Scalp Care 101

Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, a principal scientist and senior manager of scientifc communications in beauty care at Procter & Gamble, shares her top do’s and don’ts.

DO

BUY BREATHABLE HEADWEAR

Make sure all your baseball caps, beanies and scarves are made with breathable fabrics, such as cotton and merino wool, and avoid polyester.

DO

BE GENTLE Massage your scalp with the pads of your fngers while shampooing instead of scrubbing with your fngernails (which can damage hair fbres and cause breakage).

DON’T

GO TO BED WITH DAMP HAIR Give yourself enough time to fully dry your hair before bed—damp bedhead creates a warm, moist environment on the scalp where fake-causing microbes thrive.

DON’T

WASH WITH HOT WATER Using super hot water can be extremely drying to the scalp, so use warm water instead.

SCALP SAVERS

Ten cleansers, scrubs and treatments to add to your rotation

Made with argan oil and a zinc based anti-dandruff active, this shampoo targets issues like dryness, irritation and itchiness.

HEAD & SHOULDERS Supreme Purify and Hydrate Shampoo with Argan Oil & Coconut Extract, $9, at Shoppers Drug Mart. Remove dirt and buildup with this detoxifying pre-cleanse formula that preps the scalp for your hair-washing routine.

AMIKA Reset Pink Charcoal Scalp Cleansing Oil, $33, at Sephora. This pH-balanced shampoo is formulated with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the scalp and hair.

NEUTROGENA Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Shampoo, $14.99, at Shoppers Drug Mart. Made for coily and curly hair types with dry scalps, this gentle shampoo deposits organic oils that mimic sebum to nourish the scalp without stripping hair.

ADWOA BEAUTY Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo, $33, at Sephora.

Sustainably sourced ginger essential oil, along with birch bark extract, white willow bark extract and honey, soothe the scalp while removing loose fakess.

THE BODY SHOP Ginger Scalp Care Shampoo, $11, at The Body Shop. All hair types can beneft from this pre-shampoo physical and chemical solution that uses AHAs, BHAs and biodegradable exfoliating beads to get rid of dead skin.

DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub, $48, at Sephora. Formulated with peppermint oil, this refreshing post-shampoo scrub gently exfoliates the scalp to cleanse and remove buildup.

MARC ANTHONY Hair & Scalp Detox Purifying Scalp Scrub with Mineral Salt, $4, at Shoppers Drug Mart. Ideal for thinning hair, this treatment (which can be used daily) helps to promote thicker, fuller hair from the root.

LIVING PROOF Scalp Care Revitalizing Treatment, $42, at Sephora. Spritz on this treatment, made with vitamin B3, post-wash to hydrate the scalp and help lock in moisture and relieve dryness.

DOVE Hair Therapy Dry Scalp Care Leave-on Treatment, $10.49, at Shoppers Drug Mart. Made with ashwagandha to help circulation and castor oil to nourish, this pre-wash root treatment can be used for fve minutes or overnight for shinier, stronger hair.

FABLE & MANE HoliRoots Hair Oil, $45, at Sephora.

2021

OCT 28, 2021

WHAT: An informative marketing driven conference to talk about the future of the retail beauty business in Canada. This full-day event will feature six dynamic speakers who will share their insights with attendees WHERE: Royal York Hotel, Ontario Room, Toronto, Canada WHEN: Thursday October 28, 2021 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Breakfast and lunch will be included.) WHY: So beauty marketers, retailers and suppliers can talk about what effect online sales will have on our businesses, how advancements in Artificial Intelligence will efect our future, what’s next for our legacy retailers, new beauty trends and much more!

MEET TWO OF OUR CONFERENCE SPEAKERS:

NIKOLAS BADMINTON is a world-renowned futurist, researcher, and media celebrity. He leads the team Exponential Minds, an expert advisory firm that helps trillion-dollar companies, progressive governments and media shift their mindset from “what is” to “WHAT IF…”

LARISA JENSEN, Vice President, Industry Advisor, Beauty at The NPD Group, is an expert in the prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair categories.

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