There’s hair and there’s skin; each has its own needs when it comes to care. But the point where the two worlds collide—the scalp—is often forgotten.
 
“Scalp care is very overlooked because it is overshadowed by hair care. It is easier to see instant results on your hair, while the scalp is hidden. What most people don't realize is that when there are ‘hair’ problems, they are usually scalp problems instead,” said Juan Pinto, co-owner of Balanced Guru.
 
For example, oily “hair” is actually an oily scalp problem, he said.
 
“Your hair itself does not produce sebum, so when you use products for oily hair and apply only to the hair shaft, you are treating a symptom of the problem, not the root of the problem,” Pinto explained.  “The same thing happens with flaky or itchy scalp: it's not the hair shaft, it's the scalp.”
 
He told Happi that in order to maintain the long-term health and appearance of your hair, consumers must take care of the roots—just as they would when taking care of a plant.
 
“Hair grows from the root, not from the ends. If you have healthy roots, it will make your entire look healthy. If you only try to make your hair shaft look nice, but disregard the scalp and roots, then it will not be long-term healthy,” he noted.
 
To get there, Balance Guru offers Scalp Detox (23.00 for 1oz), a 100% cruelty-free, recyclable and biodegradable treatment made with USDA certified organic ingredients that dissolve oils and buildup for a clean, clear surface. 

“The ingredients that drive the performance of this product work in synergy to balance each other,” noted Pinto.  Specifically, kelp and algae soothe, protect and promote healthy roots; tea tree, rosemary and oregano have natural antibacterial properties and they also help to break up sebum build up; and brahmi strengthens the hair root, which leads to healthier hear.
 
Scalp Detox can be applied directly on the scalp and does not need to be rinsed out, according to Pinto.
 
Unclog Those Follicles!
“The next frontier for skin care companies is the scalp,” agreed Patti Pao, founder and CEO of Restorsea.  “Women’s faces look great but their hair less so, as current products address hair condition, but the real issue is the hair follicle.”
 
According to Pao, we are born with 100,000 follicles and by the time we are 70, we’ve lost 30,000 as the follicle becomes clogged with dirt, sebum and dead skin. 
 
In May, Pao’s company rolled out Revitalizing Scalp Treatment featuring Restorsea’s enzyme (Aquabeautine XL), which keeps the follicle open and healthy by digesting only the dead skin cells in and around the follicle. 
 
“This enables the hair to remain in the follicle and complete its full growth cycle.  As a result, women who use Revitalizing Scalp Treatment will experience less hair shedding, thicker and longer looking hair,” she said.
 
According to Basic Hair Care Systems, Atlanta,  the top causes for common scalp issues include:
 
•  environmental and internal pollutants;
•  medical conditions such as eczema and psoriasis;
•  improperly cared-for braids and extensions;
•  yeast or fungal growth;
•  dry weather conditions;
•  poor diet or dehydration;
•  washing hair with hard water;
•  allergic reactions to hair care products;
•  hormonal changes and overproduction of sebum; and
•  infrequent washing.
 
Basic’s Carbon Scalp Treatment range is out to conquer all of the causes viaactivated charcoal. Known for its detoxification properties, activated charcoal traps impurities, toxins and residue without stripping or harming the skin or hair.
 
Carbon Scalp Treatment consists of three products: Carbon Tea TreeShampoo, Tea Tree Deep Conditioner and Carbon Tea Tree Pomade.
 
“As an industry, we've lost the focus on the root of healthy hair, which is the scalp,” noted Latoya Brown, director of education for Basic. “This is a complete system consisting of just three products that truly works to rejuvenate, refresh and revive the scalp for healthy hair and skin.”