What is an ageing scalp?
What does an ageing scalp mean for our hair? While many of us are so pre-occupied with ageing on our face, few of us pay attention to the fact that the scalp ages at the same rate. It also suffers a great deal of stress on a daily basis; from too-tight hairstyles, to washing with water that’s too hot, together with stress, hormones and styling products. An ageing scalp doesn’t just mean an increase in dryness and irritation – it can affect hair growth too.
Dr. Sue Ann Chan, MONPURE’s resident dermatologist comments: “I advise my patients to care for their scalp in the same way as they care for the skin on their face. Too often the scalp gets neglected which can lead to hair loss and also a dull appearance in the hair in general.”
A healthy, calm and hydrated scalp is also a key factor in how long hair stays in its ‘anagen phase’ (growth phase) and how quickly it enters the ‘telogen phase’ (shedding phase). Hair doesn’t begin to grow when you see it begin to emerge from the scalp – it actually ‘incubates’ underneath the scalp skin for two weeks before we even start to see it appear. Traditional studies fail to recognise how interlinked our hair and scalp are, which is why conventional haircare up to now has focused on treating the hair itself. But for so long, we’ve overlooked how the ageing of our scalp – which affects its health and condition – is the blueprint for any subsequent hair growth, especially if you’re looking to get thicker, fuller hair.
For example, our Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo contains scalp-loving ingredients, such as calming and soothing aloe vera and strengthening vegan silk peptides, while our Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum contains a special pumpkin seed extract. It blocks a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by testosterone and in excess may cause hair loss in certain individuals.
Our Clarifying Scalp Scrub works in the same was as a face scrub, buffing away any flaky skin, while our Hydrate and Soothe Scalp Serum should be used morning and night as part of your skincare routine, replenishing dry, itchy scalps with some much-needed moisture.