No matter how expensive the hair-care product is, you really won’t get maximum results if the problem is your scalp.

Kerastase knows this. That is why, ever since I could remember, it always has had an intensive treatment or serum for the scalp’s many issues.

Recently I have been experiencing  soreness, redness, tingling and burning on my scalp, as if it were raw and wounded. To make matters worse, I have been getting bald spots, excessive greasiness, falling hair and brittle, even breaking, strands.

My sensitivity is caused by hormonal fluctuation, but in others it may be caused by medication, hair-products abuse, stress (emotional and physical), sunburn or extreme temperature change.

My first step is always to clear things with a dermatologist to make sure what I’m going through isn’t a symptom of an underlying serious medical condition that needs to be treated in a hospital. Once I confirm it is good old-fashioned stress or hormonal fluctuations, I run to my nearest Kerastase resource person for recommendations.

The brand has always put emphasis on scalp care, not just making the hair strands shampoo commercial-worthy. Brand manager Niko Pedro recently sent me four intensive scalp

treatments for road testing.

Initialiste Advanced Hair and Scalp Concentrate. This is for those who want the four S’s—strength, shine, softness and substance—because thick hair is not good enough if it’s dry, brittle and unmanageable.

There is visible improvement after seven days. The product is recommended to be used at least three times a week. You can grow your hair as long as you want and it will still be lush and healthy, split-end-free and break-resistant.

Densifique. This is perfect if you want thicker hair or want to regain the volume you lost due to age or stress. The product contains Stemoxydine, a patented molecule from L’Oreal research that reproduces the beneficial effects of the environment required for proper hair growth. Apply a vial a day morning or night and massage on scalp. Hair may be wet or dry, but scalp must be clean.

Sensidote Dermo Calm. This is what I need the most at the moment, as it targets scalp discomfort due to sensitivity. I applied it every night after washing with the Sensidote Dermo Calm shampoo and noticed the change after the third morning. The tingling and burning was greatly minimized, and the greasy factor, which usually hits me by afternoon despite washing my hair twice a day, was placed under control.

At present, it is enough for me to shampoo once a day. My hair is shiny, manageable and does not snap off. Falling hair is down by 50 percent as well.

Aminexil. This set of 10 vials reduces the rate of hair loss and reinforces the density of thinning hair in six weeks. It’s been my classic hair saver over the years, and my most requested hair product. I really see tiny hair growth on my crown where my bald spots are. The product works by removing collagen and dead skin debris, which blocks scalp pores and prevents new hair from coming out, leading to follicle death and baldness. It is suggested that you use this for six weeks straight, then Stimuliste for four and a half months after that. Repeat the process after six months.

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