Scalp Care And The Skinification Of Hair 2.0

The “skinification” trend has taken the hair industry by storm since it first became popular in 2020. Rather than treating the hair and scalp as separate entities, the revolutionary approach focuses on the two being treated as an extension of skincare routines, rooted in the idea that the skin on your scalp needs just as much TLC as the skin on your face—which in turn promotes healthy hair growth from a foundational level. “Caring for your scalp is just as important as caring for the skin on the face and body,” says Shirley Tokuda, Educator for Rene Furterer (@renefurtererusa). “The scalp supports the follicle, which is the root of our hair, so maintaining a balanced scalp is crucial to the health of our hair.” 

Fast forward to today, the lines between hair and skin have become even more blurred in the evolution of this holistic haircare trend, with an influx of new skincare-inspired haircare products, scalp care services, and hair wellness routines addressing hair concerns at the root. On TikTok, the hashtag #scalpcare remains a top trending search with over one billion views and climbing. And as the trend continues to expand, so does the definition of what skinification really means in haircare. Here, discover three key factors that embody what “the skinification of hair 2.0” means right now. 

Skincare-Inspired Ingredients

Recently, the skinification of haircare has led to the rise of even more skincare-turned-haircare ingredients, including anti-aging haircare with ceramides and peptides. Other popular skincare ingredients that are trending in haircare include niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and centella asiatica (CICA).

A Renewed Focus on Scalp Care 

This trend’s focus on scalp care now includes innovative new product lines and new formulas that are transforming the industry, such as Biolage Professional’s Scalp Sync range, which specifically addresses issues like a dandruff-prone scalp, oily scalp, or sensitive, dry scalp. Many of the latest products mirror the types of formulas and steps you’d find in a traditional skincare routine, such as exfoliators, cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. In-salon services and tools for scalp care have also progressed in 2024, with many clients actively seeking scalp massages, scalp facials, and nourishing hair treatments. 

Scalp care services help bring the focus of haircare back to the root, setting a strong foundation for hair to thrive. While some stylists worry about the additional time required for these services, Missy Peterson (@mpetersonhair), Malibu C Hair Loss Specialist and Certified Clinical Trichologist, says that incorporating scalp services is simpler than you think. “Stylists can easily add scalp care to their service menu,” says Peterson. “It takes minimal time, as it sets the scalp and hair up for success for other processes.” This, in turn, can ultimately shorten the duration of future appointments. 

Targeted Haircare Solutions 

Just like many skincare routines, this approach to haircare aims to target specific concerns like an itchy scalp, flaking, oiliness, or a dry scalp. “There are lots of things that can cause stress on the scalp, including product build up, styling products, and pollution,” explains Tokuda. Focusing on an effective scalp care routine can, therefore, help stylists address the root cause of their clients' scalp and hair concerns. “When we provide services in the salon to care for the scalp and teach our clients to take better care of their scalp at home, we see great benefits to the hair's health, strength, and vitality,” says Biolage Regional Educator Caryn Vanderbilt (@carynvanderbilt). 

Here are a few expert-recommended scalp care treatments and skincare-inspired scalp facials to try incorporating into your service menu.

• Step 1: Conduct a client consultation, educating your client on the importance of scalp care and introducing the Malibu C digital scalp scope. 
• Step 2: Use the Malibu C digital scalp scope to examine the scalp. Using the head mapping guide, collect and document up-close images of your client’s scalp. 
• Step 3: Shampoo the hair with Malibu C Un-Do-Goo pH 9 Shampoo, which effectively breaks down styling product buildup without stripping the hair of natural oils. 
• Step 4: After shampooing, apply Malibu C Head Lab Crystal Gel XL. Massage into the scalp for at least five minutes using the Head Lab massage technique. 
• Step 5: Shampoo again with the Un-Do-Goo pH 9 Shampoo and apply Malibu C Miracle Repair With Cooling Menthol to invigorate and soothe dry scalps. 
• Step 6: Towel dry the hair and use the scalp scope to show your client their results. Remember to finish by discussing at-home holistic scalp care products and maintenance routines.

• Step 1: On dry hair, apply Rene Furterer Head Spa Scrub, a pre-shampoo scalp scrub that gently purifies the scalp, removing oil, dirt, and product buildup. For sensitive scalps, try the Rene Furterer Head Spa Astera Fresh Concentrate.  
• Step 2: Gently massage the scalp for three minutes from the nape of the neck toward the forehead.  
• Step 3: Rinse and proceed to shampoo with Rene Furterer NEOPUR Scalp Balancing Shampoo and condition with your favorite Rene Furterer conditioner. 

• Step 1: Begin by parting the hair and applying Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Buildup Detox Spray directly to the scalp. Massage the scalp to evenly distribute the product and leave it on for up to 15 minutes before rinsing. If your client is looking for more moisturization benefits from their pre-shampoo treatment, try the Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil.  
• Step 2: Shampoo with Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo. This exfoliating, sulfate-free scalp scrub is clinically shown to increase hair and scalp hydration while soothing dry, itchy, and irritated scalps.  
• Step 3: Next, apply Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment, a soothing and detoxifying scalp treatment that helps provide relief to flaky, irritated scalps.  
• Step 4: Apply any of your favorite Briogeo hair serums, such as the Destined For Density MegaStrength + Caffeine + Biotin Peptide Density Serum, and style as preferred.

• Step 1: Exfoliate the scalp using a scalp brushing technique. Gently work through the hair in small sections, brushing the scalp three to five times with a natural bristle brush.  
• Step 2: Section dry hair to reveal your client’s scalp and apply Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Purifying Scalp Concentrate, a gentle pre-shampoo treatment, directly to their scalp using the nozzle. Massage the scalp for a few minutes, then rinse after 15 minutes.  
• Step 3: Wash your client’s hair twice using Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Calming Shampoo. If preferred, you can opt for the Clarifying Shampoo, Cooling Mint Shampoo, or Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.  
• Step 4: Condition the hair with Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Universal Conditioner. This lightweight conditioner can be used as a treatment for dry scalps by applying it directly to the scalp and lengths for a more balanced, healthier-feeling scalp.  
• Step 5: Apply Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Oil Balancing Serum to help rebalance an oily scalp. Massage the product into the scalp for one minute, then style the hair as desired.  

• Step 1: Using the Surface Awaken Scalp Elixir, mist the pre-shampoo formula onto your client’s dry scalp and massage for one minute. 
• Step 2: Follow with the Surface Awaken Therapeutic Shampoo to gently cleanse the hair and stimulate the scalp. During the second lather, massage the scalp for one minute, and rinse. 
• Step 3: Apply the Surface Awaken Therapeutic Masque to detoxify and rejuvenate your client’s scalp and hair. Massage the formula into the scalp for three to seven minutes before rinsing. 
• Step 4: Mist the scalp again with the Awaken Scalp Elixir and massage for one minute. 
• Step 5: Finish by applying the Surface Awaken Therapeutic Treatment to the scalp and massage for one minute. 

Header image credit (from left to right): Instagram/@biolage & @malibucpro