Scalp itching and hair loss: how to find instant relief with Kérastase Spécifique
You can't have healthy hair without a healthy scalp. That's a fact. Persistent itching, flaking, greasiness, and hair loss could all be down to an unbalanced scalp microbiome. Our experts regularly consult with clients concerned about their scalp condition or struggling to understand what's going wrong in their hair care routine. We wanted to find a home-care solution with instant results that we could confidently recommend in cases like this.
That's why we were delighted when Kérastase announced they would be expanding the Spécifique family to include a universal defence serum and an amino acid infused range for greasy roots and dry lengths. Both are designed to target scalp itching and hair loss by bringing everything back into balance.
We've stocked our online and in-salon edit with results-driven products that we know you'll love. This science-backed haircare range is no exception. Paul and the team are here to show you how the products work and why they're a must for anyone suffering from greasy roots, scalp itching, or hair loss.
Story behind the science: what causes scalp problems?
Your scalp is affected by your inner ecosystem, just like the skin on your face. When the microbiome on your scalp is out of balance, you could experience itching, flakiness, greasiness, and even hair loss. Some of the causes of microbiome imbalance can also lead to sensitization — hair which is damaged structurally and therefore prone to breakage.
Read more on hair loss and how to support growth
What is a microbiome?
A 'microbiome' is a collection of microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. You have microbiomes all over your body, each with a unique balance. The trouble starts when your microbiome experiences a population imbalance. This can be caused by a variety of things, most of which are everyday factors that you've probably run into more than once!
What causes the hair to become unbalanced?
It might surprise you to learn that the skin on your scalp is prone to stress, just like the skin on your face. A rise in the stress hormone cortisol can lead to excess oiliness, which causes greasy hair, scalp flaking, and could potentially lead to hair loss.
Using the wrong hair care products for your skin/hair type or over washing can strip the hair and scalp of its natural defences. Oil stripping products also encourage sebum production — not ideal if you suffer from greasy hair.
There's a lot to be said for regular scalp exfoliation! A build-up of dead skin cells, dirt and product can block your hair follicles and damage the delicate balance of your scalp microbiome in the process. A build-up of pollution and dirt can also lead to excess sebum on the scalp, making it look and feel greasy.
The most prevalent problem we get is an itchy scalp. This can be caused by several different reasons however it could be as simple as not rinsing shampoo out properly.. Kerastase have brought out prebiotic scalp drops that bring back the natural protection and balance your scalp needs to promote healthy hair growth.
Kérastase Spécifique: find your balance
Hair health heaven is within reach, thanks to the newest additions to the Kérastase Spécifique family. This incredibly targeted range has been formulated to strengthen and balance the hair by caring for the scalp and hydrating the lengths.
The new range is based on the same principle we use here in the Paul Edmonds London salons: holistic care for greater overall beauty, inside and out. The experts at Kérastase used advanced science to formulate the new products using probiotics, prebiotics, and amino acids, to restore strength and balance.
The future of healthy hair: Potentialiste scalp serum
We'd like to introduce you to the first universal defence serum. Kérastase Spécifique Potentialiste has been labelled the 'crowning jewel of the Spécifique family', and for good reason!
It's a universal defence solution for unbalanced scalps, suitable for all genders, hair types, and hair care routines. It was designed to support the trillions of microorganisms that keep your scalp healthy. It's a lightweight, non-greasy formula with a fresh feel on the skin.
How it works
Kérastase Spécifique Potentialiste uses advanced microbiome science to maintain scalp balance. Each bottle contains a staggering 10 billion pre and probiotic fractions, which protects 100% of your scalp's microbiota, so you're defended from aggressors that threaten the delicate balance.
The Potentialiste serum also contains immediate cooling comfort for itchy scalps. In fact, 88% of users said they felt soothed after using it, and 98% said their scalp felt more comfortable. By caring for your microbiome long term, you're far more likely to enjoy healthier, stronger, and more beautiful hair.
How to use
Use once a day (morning or evening) for a minimum of three weeks.
- Apply 3 pipettes of Potentialiste to a dry or towel-dried scalp.
- Work through the hair section by section, ensuring even coverage.
- Leave in the hair without rinsing.
The quest for fresh: Spécifique Divalent
You'll never have to choose between cleansing and caring again! Spécifique Divalent is dual action balancing care in one complete routine for greasy hair and dry lengths. It was formulated in reaction to the incredible popularity of Kérastase Spécifique Bain Divalent shampoo.
The range consists of three products that work to balance your scalp's sebum levels while hydrating dry lengths and restoring freshness:
A balancing shampoo for greasy roots and sensitised lengths. It's gentle enough for daily use and won't aggressively strip the scalp of essential oils. It uses a combination of surfactants to create a dense foam that traps pollution and sebum. You get the right amount of care, exactly where it's needed, from root to tip!
How to use: Apply to wet hair, massage, and rinse.
A synergistic blend of kaolin clay and montmorillonite clay act like molecular sponges, absorbing oil, dirt, and pollution from your scalp. The luxurious, earthy purifying shampoo is infused with menthol to increase blood flow to the scalp and leave it feeling wondrously fresh.
How to use: Use once a week, in place of Bain Divalent shampoo. Apply to wet roots, lather, and gently pull through the lengths of your hair. Rinse thoroughly.
Sabrina Jaddi (Global Kérastase Marketing Group Manager) says: "Much like a clay mask for the face, our Argile Équilibrante can be used once a week for deep cleansing. Like a cocoon, its highly sensory foam offers the sensation of ultimate care, perfect for a detox moment."
Greasy hair hydration without the added weight. Masque Réhydratant contains two essential ingredients to hydrate and strengthen sensitised lengths: amino acids and ceramides. When used in tandem, they rebuild the damaged structure of the hair and quench its thirsty fibres. Hair feels smoother, stronger, and shinier than before.
How to use: Apply to cleansed, towel-dried hair, leave for five minutes, then rinse.
How it works
Kérastase has used a blend of innovative formulations and strategic ingredients to work with the natural biology of the hair. The secret ingredient is an amino acid infusion that acts on sebum and rebalances hydration by providing care precisely where needed.
Kérastase has used two types of amino acids in this formula, so you get double the care. 'Hydrolysed' amino acids provide immediate protection and 'isolated' amino acids give you more intuitive care, depending on your hair's unique needs.
If your hair is overstimulated, greasy and tense - Kerastase Specifique Argile Equilibrante is a clay mask that you can use once a week to help bring balance back to the hair and scalp. In between use, Kerastase Specifique Bain Divalent is especially good on hair that gets greasy at the roots but has dry mid-length and ends.
Since covid-19 we have seen more people returning to the salon with increased hair loss, whether this is to do with stress or the actual virus I'm not sure but we have been recommending Genesis with great success and the majority of clients find a reduction in hair loss and increase in hair strength so less breakage.
Scalp care and thinning hair care at Paul Edmonds London
The new additions to the Kérastase Spécifique family aren't your only options for better hair and scalp care. Our expert team is on hand to guide you with advice and tailored product recommendations.
If you're struggling with greasiness, sensitisation, or scalp issues, we invite you to book a consultation with us. We can help you identify the cause of the problem and will prescribe the right products. We can even recommend shampoo for hair loss or scalp itching if needed. Who knows — you might have been using the wrong products all along!
We can also provide nourishing, reparative treatments like Nourishing Botanic Clay and Ultimate Protein Rejuvenate. You'll get tailored advice and a 360-treatment plan to help you get your scalp and hair back on track for good.
Contact us today or book a consultation with our team — we look forward to welcoming you.