HAIR AND SCALP WELLNESS
Your scalp is skin, and it deserves the same science driven care as your face. We look at what is happening at the root, from stress and hormones to buildup and barrier health, and build a plan that supports fuller looking, healthier hair over time.
IN THIS ISSUE 01 THE SCIENCE · 02 WEDDING SEASON · 03 DHT · 04 IN STUDIO · 05 AT HOME
“Healthy hair begins
with a healthy scalp.”
The science of shedding
“Shedding is often a delayed reaction, showing up months after the stress that caused it.”
01
THE SCIENCE
Why hair changes
“Your scalp is skin, and it follows the same biology.”
Trichology is the study of the hair and scalp. Hair grows in three phases: anagen, the growing phase, which lasts for years; catagen, a short transition; and telogen, a resting phase of about three months before the hair sheds. Losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. Shedding becomes noticeable when stress, hormones, illness or nutrition push more follicles into rest at once, which is why it often shows up two to three months after the trigger.
Stress. A 2021 study in Nature found that the stress hormone corticosterone kept hair follicle stem cells resting in mice. Researchers are still studying whether people respond the same way, but it helps explain why shedding so often follows a hard season, a demanding job or a big life event.
Pregnancy and postpartum. Higher estrogen during pregnancy keeps more hairs in the growing phase. After birth, those hairs move into rest together. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that postpartum shedding often peaks around four months, and most women see their usual fullness return by their child's first birthday.
Hormones. Thyroid changes, PCOS, perimenopause and stopping or switching birth control can all shift the hair cycle. When thinning comes with irregular cycles, new breakouts or fatigue, it is worth checking in with a physician.
Genetics and DHT. Hereditary thinning, called androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women, affecting an estimated 80 million Americans: about 50 million men and 30 million women. About half of men see some pattern loss by age 50, usually a receding hairline and thinning crown. In women it typically begins in midlife and becomes more common after menopause, showing as a widening part and diffuse thinning on top while the front hairline is usually kept. In sensitive follicles, the hormone DHT gradually shrinks each hair.
The scalp itself. A 2018 review in the International Journal of Trichology linked an unhealthy scalp environment, including flaking and oxidative stress, to premature shedding.
Nutrition. Low iron, vitamin D and other nutrients can play a role, but a 2019 review in Dermatology and Therapy cautions that supplementing without a true deficiency is not always helpful.
SOURCES · Choi et al., Nature, 2021
American Academy of Dermatology · Trüeb et al., International Journal of Trichology, 2018
Almohanna et al., Dermatology and Therapy, 2019
02 · WEDDING SEASON
The wedding season shed.
Shedding usually shows up a few months after a stressful stretch, and for many brides and grooms that lands right around the wedding. Planning, travel, dieting, short sleep and hormonal shifts can all add up. Start scalp care about six months before the date so your hair has time to settle before the photos.
03 · DHT, EXPLAINED
DHT blockers, explained.
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is made from testosterone by an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. Everyone has it. In people with a genetic sensitivity, DHT binds to scalp follicles and slowly shrinks them, which is the root of pattern thinning in men and in many women.
Prescription options. Finasteride lowers DHT and is FDA approved for male pattern hair loss. Dermatologists may also use dutasteride, or an anti androgen such as spironolactone for women, off label. These are medications with real side effects and pregnancy restrictions, so they belong with a physician, which is where our referral partners come in.
Botanical support. Saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil are thought to gently act on the same pathway. Small studies are encouraging, but the evidence is far weaker than for prescriptions, so think of them as support, not a substitute for medical care. Both are in the Xtressé gummies I carry.
Minoxidil is not a DHT blocker, but it is the other FDA approved option and is sold over the counter. It is worth discussing with your physician before you start.
SOURCES · American Academy of Dermatology · Evron et al., Skin Appendage Disorders, 2020 · Cho et al., Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014
04 · IN STUDIO
SKNLAB scalp care,
built in phases
I. Assess
II. Purify
III. Infuse
At your consultation we talk through your shedding pattern, your hormone and stress timeline, your history and your routine, look at your scalp, and flag anything that should be seen by a physician first.
The Aquis handpiece uses suction cleaning to lift oil, flakes, product residue and buildup from the scalp and around each follicle opening. The Sonic handpiece then gently warms the scalp, so it is clean, comfortable and ready to absorb.
The Nfuse handpiece uses electroporation, gentle electrical pulses that help ampoules absorb into the scalp without needles. We deliver Xtressé exosomes, Rejuran Healing Essence with PDRN, or both, depending on your scalp. LED light follows, and the Kelsius handpiece finishes with cryo cooling to calm the scalp.
In studio treatments are usually every 2 to 4 weeks or every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your baseline and goals. Consistency with your at home supplements and topicals matters just as much. Most clients begin to see improvement in 60 to 90 days, with fuller looking hair building over 6 months to a year or more. Every scalp is different, so timing varies.
IV. Maintain
05 · NUTRITION AND HOME CARE
Care between visits
Nutrition first
Hair follicles are some of the busiest cells in the body, so what you eat shows up in your hair. Low iron stores, vitamin D, zinc or protein are all linked to shedding, and correcting a true deficiency can help. Ask your physician to check ferritin and vitamin D before you start supplementing.
More is not better. Biotin rarely helps unless you are deficient and can throw off some lab results, including heart and hormone tests, so tell your doctor if you take it. Too much vitamin A or selenium can cause hair loss on its own.
Nutrafol
My favorite supplement line, and you will find it on my ShopMy storefront. Nutrafol matches the formula to your life stage: Women for ages 18 to 44, Women's Balance for 45 and up, Postpartum for the first year after baby, and Men. The formulas are built around botanicals such as Sensoril ashwagandha for stress, saw palmetto, curcumin and tocotrienols, with marine collagen, maca or DHA in certain formulas. The newest Nutrafol Women is vegan and biotin free.
Nutrafol's own small placebo controlled trials, which the company funded, reported more hair after six months. It is a daily commitment of four capsules, so plan on three to six months of consistent use before judging it.
Xtressé
Because I use Xtressé exosomes in studio, Xtressé home care carries the same approach between visits. The Nutrient Gummies are biotin free, with ashwagandha, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed and taurine. The FR Concentrate Serum is a lightweight peptide serum you apply to the scalp daily.
Before you start any supplement, check with your physician, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, trying to conceive or taking medication. Everything here is in the hair edit on our Shop page.
06 · WHEN TO REFER
Know when it is medical
Conditions we refer
Scalp eczema, most often seborrheic dermatitis, brings greasy or dry flaking, redness and itch. It is common and very manageable, but it needs a medical diagnosis and treatment plan first.
Scalp psoriasis shows as thicker plaques with silvery scale. At least half of people with plaque psoriasis have it on the scalp, and severe flares can rarely cause temporary shedding.
Alopecia areata is autoimmune and causes round, smooth patches of loss. Nearly 7 million Americans will have it at some point, stress may trigger or worsen flares, and dermatologists now have FDA approved oral treatments for severe cases.
Also see a physician first for sudden or patchy loss, scarring, pain, thinning eyebrows, or hair changes alongside fatigue, irregular cycles or weight changes. Once a condition is under medical care and the scalp is calm, scalp care can work alongside your physician's plan.
Trusted partners
When your consultation shows signs of a medical concern, or you are ready for transplants, injections or prescription care, I refer you to specialists I trust, and can continue your scalp care alongside their plan.
Dr. Yael Halaas, Science and Beauty
Hair restoration and facial plastic surgery
120 East 56th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022
212.688.5955
Dr. Robin Unger, Unger Medical
Hair transplant surgery
710 Park Avenue, Suite 1A, New York, NY 10021
212.249.4369
Dr. Keimun Slaughter, The Saratoga Hair Center
Hair transplant surgery
1072 Troy Schenectady Road, Suite 302, Latham, NY 12110
518.655.2683
Shab Caspara, Caspara Hair Preservation
Trichologist
160 Madison Avenue, Suite 21, New York, NY 10016
caspara.co
Cosmetic scope
Skinlikeb does not diagnose or treat hair loss. All scalp services are cosmetic, performed within New York State esthetics scope under medical direction.
07 · QUESTIONS
Questions, answered
Some shedding after a stressful event, illness or childbirth is common and usually temporary. The American Academy of Dermatology notes it often appears a few months after the trigger and settles as the body readjusts. If it continues or gets worse, see a physician.
Yes. Scalp care is for men and women. Men often notice thinning at the temples and crown, women more often along the part, and every plan is built around what we see at your consultation.
About six months before the wedding is ideal. It gives your scalp time to settle after a busy engagement season and leaves room to adjust your plan before the photos.
No. Skinlikeb provides cosmetic scalp care and does not diagnose or treat hair loss. If your consultation points to a medical cause, we refer you to a trusted dermatologist or hair restoration physician and can continue your scalp care alongside their plan.
Your scalp. Your plan.
Scalp care starts with a private consultation with Brittany, where your scalp and history are reviewed before anything is recommended. Consultations are $250 and apply toward your first treatment.
Individual results vary. Skinlikeb provides cosmetic skincare services within the New York State esthetics scope of practice.