Head first

A healthy scalp is the source of all good hair growth. The skin on our scalp is fairly similar to that on the rest of our body, albeit with more hair follicles and more production of natural oils. But product build-up, dehydration and dead skin can negatively impact hair growth and cause a less-than stellar appearance. Think of it like soil: dry, desiccated soil will send plants limp and droopy, whereas nutrient-rich, well-tended soil will let a thousand blossoms bloom.

Cult brand FACEGYM’s signature workouts already do wonders for lymphatic drainage and improving blood flow to the skin surface. But the scalp has its own network of lymph nodes that could do with some love too. Excitingly, the brand has recently collaborated with everyone’s favourite bond strengthener OLAPLEX as a post-workout add-on. I recently experienced the treatment at their Chelsea salon, and after a luxurious, 40 minute facial massage, my lovely therapist parted my hair and applied the OLAPLEX No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment with the Isamaya Sclupt 01 tool. Weeks later, my scalp feels conditioned and flake-free, with shiny hair to boot.

If you don’t have the time for a salon treatment, there are plenty of at-home options for keeping your head happy. Oribe’s Serene Scalp Densifying Collection is a three-stage, trichologist-developed system for enlivening thinning hair. Massage their peptide-rich shampoo into the scalp, followed by a generous application of conditioner to help reduce breakage. A final spritz with their Treatment Spray and you have noticeably thicker, more nourished hair. Their beautifully designed bottles add a touch of luxury too.

For a more wallet-friendly option, French brand Horace has recently branched out into the scalp care world with their scalp savers range. Their Scalp Exfoliator features PHA and black jojoba beads to gently remove build-up and dandruff, with aloe vera to calm and soothe. Follow with their Prebiotic Serum, which relieves itchiness and improves the microbiome of the skin, and you have a happy head of hair.

I’ve made no secret of my love of Italian brand Davines for their sustainable philosophy, and their NATURALTECH line is perfect for curly girls like me, who don’t want lifeless, product-heavy waves. I’m big into their Rebalancing Cleansing Treatment, which removes excess sebum without the dreaded hyperproduction rebound. I use it in conjunction with their sulfate-free purifying shampoo, whose antimicrobial properties help remove build up without stripping the scalp of its natural oils. 

Sometimes, you have to pull out the big guns, and STRAAND have put scalp care at the forefront of their company philosophy. Their argan-oil rich Miracle Worker Exfoliating Scalp Scrub uses salt as a physical exfoliant, which feels heavenly on an itchy head. I like to follow this with a liberal application of their Crown Companion Scalp Oil, which features growth-enhancing ingredients like rosemary to hydrate and soothe any itching. 

Tend to your roots and shop the products below!