I heard about this hair treatment on Liz Moody's Healthier Together podcast. Her guest, Bridgette Hill, is a certified trichologist also known as the "scalp therapist," and formerly the lead colorist and creative director of Four Seasons Spa Palm Beach. She says this pre-shampoo treatment is great for every hair type and issue ranging from hair loss and dandruff to just wanting the thickest, shiniest, healthiest version of your hair possible.
Two things I loved about Bridgette Hill's approach to hair...
Scalp skinification AKA treating the scalp skin like the rest of our body. Less "remove, remove, remove" and more "protect and nourish."
Think of hair fibers like fabric. Would you wash a silk shirt more to bring out the shine? Learning how to create the best environment for your scalp and hair follicle creates healthy hair.
A little info about my hair...
I cut my hair every six months. I don't dye, heat style, or own a hairbrush. My major concern is build up on my scalp from hard water. No one warned me about how terrible Los Angeles water is for skin and hair so I'm always on the hunt for a shampoo that can give my scalp a solid cleanse.
Overall, my hair is pretty low maintenance. For my inconvenient scalp issue, my holy grail is Living Proof's Perfect hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo ($32 for 5.4 oz.). It's one of two shampoos I've found for getting rid of flakes. However, neither leave me with that voluminous vibrance I'm after.
So, the hair product...
Hill says hair health starts below the scalp but most products don't thoroughly cleanse the scalp. So for Pantene worthy hair-flip hair,
she suggests oils and scalp massage to stimulate blood flow, remove product residue, and keep the hair follicle healthy for growth and shine.
Hill recommends Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Hair Oil. This treatment is one that every hair type can benefit from. However, it's pricey. For $56 you can get one 1.6 fl oz. bottle. But it should last a while, in three treatments I haven't even made a dent.
Side note about oil: I hated oil.
That is, until an esthetician recommended I use jojoba oil on my face. This combo really upgraded my skin so I figured maybe my scalp could benefit.
Important things to know about this product: This leave-in treatment is VERY fragrant. It's got essential oils like orange peel, castor oil, and citrus extracts. I enjoyed the scent but it's important to note that my house smelled like a 🍊Minute Maid 🍊set. The product includes "warming plant oils" which I experienced as a slight tingle but nothing I'd describe as uncomfortable.
The results: After a few hours, I rinsed and followed with Living Proof's Triple Detox Shampoo and a leave-in conditioner by Schwarzkopf at my ends. The first wash I wondered if I would have any oily residue or require a second wash and post shower my hair did have that separation at the roots but once it dried it was incredibly soft with lots of shine. My scalp felt clean but not stripped and my hair kind of had that volume at the root that you get when you get a blow out.
Two days later, I washed my hair with shampoo and the results are still amazing. I'm curious to see results over time especially in regard to thickness and shine. Directions say use 1-2 times weekly so I'll be making this my Sunday treatment.
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