From butterfly bobs to Taylor Swift-inspired bangs, most hair trends come and go, while others are on the rise. Over the past few years, the world of haircare has increasingly merged with its close friend, skincare.
So-called hair skinning is the “use of ingredients and techniques traditionally associated with skincare in hair care products, and is likely on the rise due to growing consumer interest in overall health,” explains cosmetic care expert Dr Tanya Unni.
Skin-friendly ingredients
Skin care brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List have made their flagship ingredients their main selling point, breaking down skin care and selling products like retinol, vitamin C, and niacinamide as individual steps to mix into your personal beauty cocktail. Hair care is now following suit.
“As people become more aware of the need for holistic care, they are looking for products that not only address specific concerns but also provide multiple benefits,” Dr Unni points out. “Hair care products now contain ingredients traditionally found in skin care products, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides, which provide hydration, nourishment and protection to the hair and scalp.”
Protecting your scalp and maintaining a healthy scalp environment is very important in preventing hair loss.
Dr Tanya Unni, Beauty Care Expert
According to experts, the moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid help hair retain moisture and reduce dehydration, while niacinamide is a powerful form of vitamin B3 that strengthens and strengthens hair. Ceramides are key components of hair follicle structure, thus strengthening and smoothing brittle hair.
The haircare trend is an opportunity to create a more personalized routine, just as the deconstructed skincare approach allows consumers to reconstruct day and night creams tailor-made to their needs.
Dr Unni says that choosing products based on their holistic benefits “ensures a solution tailored to your individual scalp and hair needs, which may lead to better results and more effective treatments. There is growing recognition that protecting the scalp and maintaining a healthy scalp environment is crucial in preventing hair loss.”
Scrub Up Scalp Care
Jamila Paul, Hair Artist and Creative Director, Schwarzkopf Professional GCC, said: “For me, a healthy scalp equals healthy hair – it all starts there. In this region especially, there are so many people who suffer from severe scalp issues, which translates into a lot of hair issues.”
Paul says more stylists are encouraging their clients to look after their scalps: “Just like with skin, exfoliating your scalp should be a priority. If you don’t exfoliate, the health of your hair is compromised by the buildup of dead skin, oil, dirt and product, which can lead to clogged hair follicles.”
Schwarzkopf Scalp Clinic Pre-Shampoo Scrub incorporates Biotic Technology, which means that it takes into account your scalp’s microbiome (the unique microorganisms that live in specific environments on or in the body) and aims to balance the environment to improve the health and condition of your hair.
While there are plenty of luxury products on the market for those willing to invest, scalp care doesn’t need to cost too much. Many big brands also sell textured scrubs (much like traditional body exfoliants) that can be applied before shampooing, and online retailers such as Noon, Temu and Amazon sell plastic scalp massagers (which should have a long shelf life) for just 7 dirhams. Experts recommend gently massaging it into wet hair in the shower once or twice a week.
“The benefit of your hair follicles not being clogged with such impurities is that your hair will be fuller and thicker, you’ll experience less shedding and of course smoother cuticles so your hair will be healthier, less frizzy and more shining,” adds Paul.
But she warns: “If you have severe scalp conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, consult a dermatologist or hair specialist before starting any new treatment.”
Take a step further with supplements
The skinning trend in haircare is a multi-step regimen for an AZ haircare routine, and one of these steps involves figuring out how to care for your hair from the outside in.
Paul says: “You need to treat your scalp like you treat your nutrition – you need to nourish your scalp to nourish your hair follicles, which in turn nourish your hair.”
Some people are experimenting with creating homemade hair care products using kitchen staples, while others are searching for foods that contain nutrients that will strengthen their hair.
Ingredients like collagen shots and beauty glow gummies are growing in popularity. Hair supplements are nothing new, but they’re experiencing a resurgence as holistic beauty comes to the fore, hitting an all-time high on Google Trends this year.
To nourish your hair from the inside out, experts recommend consuming foods and supplements rich in vitamins A, C, E, omega fatty acids and protein. Before starting any new supplements, experts say it’s wise to consult with a medical professional.
But embracing hair skinning can complicate your routine, and Dr Unni says those with sensitive skin should avoid overdoing it by adding too many steps at once.
“If not properly cleansed, product build-up on the scalp and hair can lead to issues like greasiness and dullness,” she explains. “Ultimately, while the skin-finishing trend can benefit many, it’s important to consider individual factors like hair type, skin sensitivity, and scalp condition to determine which products and approaches work best for your haircare routine.”
Updated: July 5, 2024 8:56 AM
