BWhen Beyoncé launched her haircare brand CeÌÂ cred, her product line quickly caught everyone’s attention simply because it was packed with fermented ingredients like rice water and bioactive keratin. UK-based haircare brand The Rootist also went viral on social media with its fermented formulas. Although fermentation has been growing in popularity in beauty for several years, it has only recently found its way into haircare, largely due to the growing interest and focus on the scalp microbiome.
Like the skin microbiome, the scalp microbiome is an ecosystem of good bacteria, yeast, and fungi that act as the first line of defense against outside aggressors. The only difference is that hair follicles release sebum, which the good bacteria feed on. When the microbiome is balanced and healthy, it fights the negative microbiomes that can affect the health of your scalp and hair. However, when it is disrupted, which can happen for a variety of reasons, such as heat styling, tap water, pollution, diet, and scalp buildup, it can lead to irritation, dandruff, dryness, and even hair loss.
Prebiotics and probiotics are most useful for keeping your scalp microbiome balanced as they promote the good bacteria. This is why hair care brands are now using fermented ingredients in their formulas, reflecting a rise of a holistic approach to hair care. Other hair care practices recommended for a healthy microbiome include gentle cleansing, restoring your scalp’s lost moisture, and drying your hair properly after showering. This microbiome is responsible for keeping most of our scalp issues at bay and creating an environment for healthy and faster hair growth.
