The scalp may be overlooked when it comes to haircare, but it shouldn’t be. All haircare products come in contact with the scalp, and they can have positive and potentially negative effects on this unique skin. As home to the follicles responsible for creating new, healthy hair as well as the natural oils that provide hydration for your strands, the scalp has a pretty important job. This is why it’s important to think about scalp health, even if you’re not experiencing changes that you can see and feel.
SEEN was developed by Dr. Iris Rubin, a Harvard-trained dermatologist who understands the impact that haircare can have on the scalp—both good and bad. Our products are designed specifically to be gentle on the skin (including the scalp) while being luxurious and effective for achieving optimal hair results. In addition to using SEEN, Dr. Rubin has several tips for how to get a healthy scalp.
Tip #1: Identify the cause of your scalp issue
The scalp can experience several common issues that may stem from harsh haircare ingredients, seasonal weather changes, and chronic skin conditions. Among these conditions are:
- Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis: This persistent flaking leaves a white dusting within your hair that can make its way to your shoulders, and it may be accompanied by itching—but not always. Dandruff is limited to the scalp, and is generally more of a nuisance than anything. Seborrheic dermatitis is a more severe form of dandruff that can extend beyond the scalp and appear around the ears, on the sides of the nose, within the eyebrows, and on other “oily” areas of skin. Seborrheic dermatitis can cause significant skin flaking, itching, and inflammation. For some, prescription-based shampoos and topical treatments may be necessary to get seborrheic dermatitis under control.
- Dry scalp: Flaking and itching can simply be caused by a dry scalp due to harsh ingredients like sulfates in your shampoo, as well as cold air and a lack of humidity. (Hello, “winter itch!”) The good news is, improving signs of dry scalp can be as easy as switching to gentle, non-irritating hair-care products that are safe for sensitive skin—such as those that have been developed by SEEN. In a dermatologist-graded clinical study of 30 subjects with mild-to-moderate dry, flaky scalp, 93% saw improvement in their overall scalp condition after using non-medicated SEEN shampoo and conditioner for four weeks.
- Psoriasis: This chronic condition also causes scaling and itching on the scalp and skin, but this genetic, immune-related skin condition is primarily characterized by raised, red patches of skin covered in silvery scales. Every time you shampoo and condition, potentially irritating ingredients can come in contact with psoriasis on your scalp (unless you use non-irritating haircare products). Since there are several types of psoriasis with varying symptoms, it’s best to seek the help of a dermatologist who can help find the ideal treatment approach.
- Acne: You may not always be able to see scalp acne, but you can certainly feel it (and you may be prone to scratching or picking at it). Pore-clogging haircare products can contribute to scalp acne just as the wrong skincare products can lead to blemishes on your face, back, or chest—which is why there’s a need for non-comedogenic shampoo, conditioner, and styling products. SEEN has been tested and proven to be non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. Clogged pores can lead to breakouts on your scalp or any other skin (such as on your face, back, and chest) for that matter.
The key to optimal scalp health is understanding what exactly is going on—and taking the proper steps to get this skin’s health back on track. If at-home efforts don’t provide improvement, it may be best to seek the help of a dermatologist.
Tip #2: Take a closer look at your haircare ingredients
Certain surfactants (cleansing agents), pore-clogging oils, and silicones (when combined with certain other ingredients) can have potential downsides for the scalp. Avoiding these ingredients and seeking more scalp-friendly alternatives can make a significant difference in the health and comfort of the scalp. For example, instead of potentially harsh surfactants, sulfate-free SEEN Shampoo uses gentle, plant-based ingredients that deliver all the suds of traditional shampoos while nourishing the scalp, with the added bonus of naturally-derived bisabolol for extra soothing benefits.
Tip #3: Try going fragrance-free
All of SEEN’s products are also available fragrance-free, since fragrance can be a trigger for scalp and skin irritation as well as allergies for some people. Many of our customers turn to SEEN’s fragrance-free products because of skin and scalp itch, and going fragrance-free can also help keep sensitive skin as well as eczema-prone skin calm and comfortable. For the record, all of SEEN’s fragrance-free products have received the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance™, and SEEN Fragrance-Free Shampoo, Fragrance-Free Conditioner, and Magic Serum have also received SkinSAFE’s coveted “Trusted Choice” seals.
Tip #4: Treat your scalp to a dedicated serum
SEEN Restore Scalp Serum is just what anyone with a dry, flaky scalp needs. You’ll find our favorite skin-hydrating ingredients (such as plant-derived squalane and olive-derived ethylhexyl olivate) along with soothing bisabolol, but we’ve taken Restore Scalp Serum to the next level with propanediol caprylate. This naturally-derived “active” ingredient helps reduce the appearance of flakes, calms the scalp, and helps optimize the scalp microbiome.
Consider what 30 people with mild-to-moderate dry, flaky scalp had to say after using Restore Scalp Serum for two weeks*:
- 100% agreed “My scalp is improved”
- 100% agreed “My scalp feels healthier”
- 97% agreed “My scalp is less dry”
- 97% agreed “My scalp is less flaky”
- 97% agreed “My scalp feels soothed”
- 97% agreed “My scalp buildup is improved”
It’s easy to incorporate Restore Scalp Serum into your current routine since it can be used when the hair is wet or dry (and you don’t have to worry about it leaving a sticky or greasy residue). Simply part your hair into four or more sections depending on hair thickness, and apply a thin, even layer to each. Massage in and don’t rinse. We suggest using this restorative serum three times a week–but it’s safe for more frequent use if your scalp needs extra TLC.
SEEN is all about healthy skin—and this includes the scalp. Still not convinced? Try a sample and we’re sure your scalp, skin, and hair will thank you.
* *In a consumer perception study, 30 participants with mild-moderate dry, flaky scalp used SEEN Restore Scalp Serum for 2 weeks.
