Category Archives: Products

Scalp Analysis

Scalp Analysis

Sam Macdonald Hair | Scalp Analysis | Hairdresser Scarborough Trigg North Beach Sorrento Trigg Karinyup Carine Duncraig

You may or may not know that I not only do hair in the salon. I can also help you with any scalp conditions you may have.

I do this a few ways.

Firstly, I can look up close with my trichoscope, (microscope for the hair and scalp). With the use of the Trichoscope, can see what’s really go on at scalp level. A lot of the detail is lost when only looking with the naked eye. We often assume we simply have dandruff when it could be a number of things.

Secondly, I can talk to you about what’s happening in your life that is contributing so you have the power to do something yourself. Things like stress, diet and exercise all play a part here.

Thirdly, I can show you products that are not medical but rather using natural ingredients to try and allow your body to heal itself. I’m not personally a great believer in medications for scalp conditions, at least not at the beginning of the journey of healing your scalp. Sure, if we can’t fix it naturally then that’s the next step but often it’s something we can handle without the medications.

Things I can show you are alternatives to use on your hair to help alleviate the problems. I also have a range of supplements especially for scalp conditions if we think your diet may be lacking.

In a nut shell I’m your first port of call.

9 times out of 10 we can fix these issues or at least get them under control as not all scalp issues can be fixed for good sadly.

A scalp consultation is presently only $30 so what do you have to lose?

If you’d like to book an appointment to give your hair or scalp some love. I’d be happy to talk through it’s current condition as part of your initial consultation. All the details to make a booking can be found here.

Sulfates In Hair Products

Sulfates In Hair Products

Sam Macdonald Hair - Wembley Downs City Beach Scarboroguh Trigg North Beach Sorrento Karinyup Carine Duncraig

We have all heard somewhere along the line that sulfates in hair products are bad for us, but does anyone actually know why?⁣

First things first, what is it actually for?

⁣A sulfate will only be found in your shampoo, not your conditioner or any other hair product. ⁣

This is because its part of the cleansing part of washing your hair. Basically a sulfate is a detergent and as well as being found in a lot of shampoos, you will find it in many detergent based products around your home.⁣

Some companies love to say there are no sulfates in their conditioners, well of course there isn’t, conditioner doesn’t lather like shampoo!⁣

A sulfate will give you the big bubbles that we have come to assume means the shampoo is working. It allows oil and water to be mixed together and then rinsed from the hair leaving it squeaky clean.⁣

Different shampoos have various results on how the hair is left feeling. A shampoo for dry damaged hair should remove less of the oil that one designed for oily hair.⁣

Do we have to have a sulfate in a shampoo? No, though sulfate free shampoos don’t usually lather as well.⁣

There has been some unfounded controversy surrounding sulfates over the last few years. Many studies have been done since then, to disprove possible side effects.⁣

Some people will have an allergy to sulfates which will cause them a little itchiness when they use it. This is most often the case with people with sensitive skin and skin conditions such as eczema or contact dermatitis.⁣

These condition’s can also come from many other sources not only the products being used. For example a great deal of people have a dairy intolerance, which can show up in a similar fashion.⁣

So to summarise, the use of sulfates is not life threatening. However it can cause some discomfort in some people. ⁣

You don’t need to be using a shampoo with a sulfate in it. You can use a sulfate free shampoo though it probably won’t later as much though it still cleanse your hair and scalp the same.⁣

Oh and by the way, if you want to be sulfate free, you better chuck out your toothpaste because it in there as well. ?

If you’d like to book an appointment to give your hair or scalp some love. I’d be happy to talk through it’s current condition as part of your initial consultation. All the details to make a booking can be found here.

Cortisol The Stress Hormone

Cortisol – The Stress Hormone

Cortisol the stress hormone | Sam Macdonald Hair | Hairdresser Trigg Sorrento Karinyup Scarborough Northbeach

Last time you learned about Cortisol the stress hormone and the effects too much can have on your body. This week I want to share exactly what can happen to your hair from too much Cortisol AKA stress.

Your hair has 3 main cycles of growth and sometimes stress can lead to your hair falling out in the wrong phase. This doesn’t happen to everyone as we all have many ways of manifesting stress and if it does happen, it can happen in different ways.

One common cause we call Telogen Effluvium and it happens deep within the scalp where the growing begins.

The stress basically shocks the hair into resting instead of growing and as it takes approximately 2 months for the hair that is growing right now to come through at scalp level, it takes 2 months after the shock for the hair to fall out.

Often by then, we are no longer stressed, so it can feel a little confusing. If you ever think you are losing hair, stop and think about what your life was like two months ago and if life was going through a rough patch.

Pregnant women often have an effect on the hair similar to this known as postpartum alopecia. The hair is amazing during the pregnancy because all the hair that should be naturally coming out stays in the resting phase, then usually 2-3 months after the birth a lot falls out and there is heaps of new growth and short hairs to deal with.

Another common stress related hair loss is Alopecia Areata which is what you see here on the attached photo. Most of the time the hair will grow back but occasionally it can be permanent or last a few years before the hair returns.

Now you have a really clear idea of what stress can do not only to your hair but your whole body but what can we do about it?

If you’d like to book an appointment to give your hair or scalp some love, I’d be happy to talk through it’s current condition as part of your initial consultation. All the details to make a booking can be found here.

How To Prevent Heat Damage To You Hair

Prevention Is Better Than Cure; How To Prevent Heat Damage To Your Hair

Long straight hair | prevent hair heat damage | Sam Macdonald Hair | Trigg WA

In my last post I shared with you what the effects of hot styling can do to the hair over time. This time I will share the easiest way of preventing damage and keeping your hair looking at its best…

Firstly you need 3 foundation products and they are a good quality shampoo, conditioner and leave in conditioner for the ends.

The best way to know you are using the right ones, is to have them prescribed especially for you by your hairdresser or a hairdresser in a salon you don’t go to can also advise you. Don’t fall into the trap of simply reading the bottle and reading for yourself, although its seems simple, there as often a little more to it so professional advise is a must.

The next thing you MUST have if you intend hot styling is to use a heat protector. A heat protector will not stop all damage, but it will drastically decrease the heat damage to your hair.

A good way to see if your heat protector is any good, is to spray it on the back of one of your hands and then get the blow dryer close to the skin and see the comparison of the heat on the protected hand and the unprotected hand.

These 4 products are a must and you may also require further styling that your hairdresser can recommend.

When it comes to doing the right thing by your hair and being proactive about protect ing your hair from damage don’t guess what you could do. Instead ask your hairdresser for their advice as they’ll be able to talk to you about your hair, it’s actual condition and the right products for you.

If you’d like to book an appointment to give your hair some love I’d be happy to talk through it’s current condition as part of your initial consultation. All the details to make a booking can be found here.

Davines Love The Frizzy Hair Solution You have Been Looking For

Davines Love, It’s The Frizzy Hair Solution You’ve Been Looking For

frizzy hair

Davines love smoothing conditioner is amazing for helping to weigh down frizzy, unmanageable hair.

It contains beautiful Italian Olive extract from Mr Messina’s farm in Italy. Why is this important?

Because Davines is all about sustainability, they use local farms ingredients in this line of products, the essentials.

If you’re struggling with frizzy, unmanageable hair then book a consult and I’d be happy to work with you to create a cut and style that works for your hair type. In addition I can recommend the right products to support you to maintain your hair between visits, as effortlessly as possible.

LOVE Davines | Sam Macdonald Hair | Hairdresser Trigg North Beach Scarborough Marmion Carine WA