Ambiance Beauty and Wellness Hair Care

New Research on Dandruff

Dandruff is a chronic scalp condition for approximately 50% of the population worldwide. Because its most visible symptom — flaking — is unattractive and dandruff can make the scalp uncomfortable, it’s no wonder that hair care scientists at P&G Beauty conducted extensive clinical studies into the cause of dandruff.

These studies led to breakthrough research, which has been published in prestigious medical journals, about both the cause and treatment of dandruff. “In addition to our scientific studies,” notes Dianna Kenneally, senior scientist at P&G Beauty, Cincinnati, Ohio, “we talked to sufferers to learn where they would go for help in controlling this chronic scalp condition. We learned that 58% of both men and women are likely to consult their hairstylist, barber or other salon professional for advice on dandruff control, proving the importance of the salon professional in educating clients about scalp, as well as hair care.”

What’s New About Dandruff?

Dandruff is a chronic scalp condition characterized by excessive flaking and associated with itching and irritation. Scientists now believe the leading cause for dandruff is a naturally occurring microscopic fungus called Malassezia (mal-uh-SEEZ-ee-uh), The fungus feeds on the scalp’s natural oils and creates by-products that cause irritation to the scalp. The body reacts to the irritation by accelerating the amount and rate of flaking of dead skin cells.

Symptoms and consequences of dandruff include excessive and noticeable white flakes on the scalp, as well as itchiness, dryness, tightness and irritation. If a dandruff sufferer scratches his or her scalp excessively, the unhealthy scalp condition can also lead to damage of the hair cuticle.

How to Treat Your Client’s Dandruff

An anti-dandruff shampoo can effectively treat the condition in over 90% of people who have flakes and itch, according to clinical studies. Before recommending an anti-dandruff shampoo to clients, salon professionals should review the ingredient listing for those most effective in treating the cause of dandruff- pyrithione zinc, selenium disulfide and ketoconazole. Of these ingredients, pyrithione zinc is the best-selling OTC anti-dandruff ingredient. In addition to treating dandruff, hair care products containing pyrithione zinc have also been shown to be as mild and gentle to the hair as the best-selling cosmetic shampoos and are safe for everyday use, even on color-treated hair.

It is especially important for salon professionals to encourage use of a quality anti-dandruff shampoo every time a client cleanses his or her hair.

By being aware of the symptoms and treatments of dandruff, and sharing their knowledge with clients who either ask about present the symptoms, salon professionals can strengthen the bond of trust with their clients, leading to increased loyalty as well as healthy, shiny hair that enhances the artistic work of the salon professional.

The study was conducted in 2003 among 800 dandruff sufferers in the U.S.

Hair Cut Style: What Works Best for You?

When choosing your new hair cut style you should consider which styles you like, which styles suit your lifestyle and hair type, but above all — which style of hair cut will look the most flattering on you.

While choosing the right hair cut style is ultimately about your personal taste there are some basic rules you should follow. At the top of this list is considering what styles suit your face shape.

Finding the Right Hair Cut Style for Your Face Shape

Oval faces are considered to be the ideal shape by hairdressers. People with an oval face shape can wear most hair cut styles and lengths with it still looking "right". The oval face is mathematically 1.5 times as long as its width, with the forehead slightly wider than the jaw.

Round faces are characterized by a round chin. Because they lack the length of the oval face, the hair should be cut to create the illusion of length in the face. This is achieved by creating height on top of the head, and minimizing hair width by keeping it flat at the sides and around the ears.

Rectangular faces have a square chin and hairline, and are long and narrow. The ideal style of hair cut is one which creates width at the sides disguising the narrowness. A fringe can also shorten the face, and a style with a side part will help to reduce the square appearance.

Pear shaped faces have a narrow forehead and are widest at the jawline, with a round chin. The objective of a suitable style of hair cut is to give the illusion of an oval face by creating width at the forehead and temples.

Heart shaped faces are widest at the temples and narrowest at the jawline. Usually the chin is small and delicate. The hair cut style's objective should be to create an oval by adding width at the jawline.

Diamond shaped faces are widest at the cheekbones and narrow in the forehead and chin. By creating width at the forehead and minimizing it at the cheekbones, the illusion of an oval face can be achieved.

Square faces have a square jawline and hairline at the forehead. They are 'too short', so a suitable hair cut style seeks to create height elongating the face. Hair should be layered around the face to soften the jawline. Jaw and brow nearly same width. Hair should wisp around face to reduce squareness.

While it's not uncommon for someone to walk into a salon and say, "Give me a Jennifer Aniston", the key to finding a style that works for you is having a hair cut that works with your face shape, not against it.