Scalp and Hair Health

Scalp and Hair

Hair and scalp conditions such as dandruff, acne, hair falls may depend on several factors such as genetics, hygiene, illness, smoking, alcohol, diets, etc.  Although the genetic factor is uncontrollable, other lifestyle factors can be altered to help alleviate the symptoms.  Ingredients in your hair products can also contribute to aggregate and worsen the symptoms as well.  The scalp is basically one of the most absorbent parts of your body and also one of the most sensitive areas.  Therefore, whatever you put on your scalp, styling products, hair dye, treatments, a part of it also gets into your body.  The connection of a good health is reflected in the health of your scalp.  Some people maybe sensitive to the chemical ingredients in hair products than others.  Therefore, if you are suffering from hair and scalp problems, you may need to carefully monitor not only your lifestyle, but also the hair products you are using.  

The Ultimate Hair Treatment Duo: Bergamot x Butterfly Pea

Bergamot Shampoo - Bergamot or Kaffir lime is widely used as essential oil in aromatherapy.  Also, it is used for scalp treatment as it contains antiseptic properties which is used for combatting psoriasis, itchy scalp and dandruff.  Bergamot oil provides extra shine and protection to hair cuticle without leaving behind oily residue.  We are testing out our latest addition to the line, Bergamot shampoo extracted with its natural oil and PULP! Just to make sure we get to keep as much of the essential nutrients and their integrity as possible.  Bergamot shampoo works well for all hair type especially those who suffer from acne, itch, dandruff and hair fall.  Since it does not contain any added chemical agent, it does not foam as much during wash.  The trick is to massage the bergamot pulp onto the scalp and leave on for 2-3 minutes during the shower.  Afterwards, my hair and scalp are left feeling more cleaned, refreshed and easier to style between each wash.
I've used both bergamot pulp shampoo with every wash for over 3 weeks now.  I have very oily scalp, and with the shampoo, it really conditions your scalp without stripping out all the sebum, causing it to dry and flake out.  I definitely noticed the shine and silky texture after continuous use without any help of other additional hair styling products.

After one week 

After 3 weeks (Disregard my drunk face, look at how shiny my hair is!)

On to the next one, the yin to the yang.

Butterfly Pea Conditioner - Butterfly Pea (aka Clitoria Ternatea) is a native flower in Thailand called ดอกอัญชัญ (dok Anchan).  It is widely used for food colouring, cooking, and as hair treatment.  Traditionally, Butterfly Pea extracts were rubbedon eyebrows and hair as it was believe to have pigment darkening effect.  Today, Butterfly pea is widely used in Thailand as hair wash and as natural alternative to hair dye.   Studies have shown the flower to be a rich source of anthocyanin - a polyphenol anti-oxidant also found in red grapes, making it much more beneficial to consume as well to apply topically.  In Thailand, Butterfly Pea juice not only gives out a beautiful blue colour and definitely satisfies your thirsts, but also jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants.  

Delicious fresh butterfly pea juice

Butterfly Pea conditioner has the necessary proteins to nourish hair follicles, promoting hair growth, and leaving strands soft and glossy.  It is rich in pigment but will not stain bathroom floors.  Butterfly pea hair products, especially as natural hair dyes, are popular use in Thailand but is gaining popularity around Asia and Middle East.  

Gentle formulas and chemical preservatives free, these shampoo and conditioner are non irritating and perfect for all hair types.  Natural, exotic, effective, safe - your hair and scalp will be thankful.

Chocolate Body Wrap

I was recently treated with a chocolate body wrap courtesy of Marvel College in Edmonton, Alberta.  The services there are offered by students as a part of their learning curriculum.  The experience I had was wonderful.  I was scrubbed down with honey and brown sugar exfoliant to eliminate dead skin cells. It has a sweet aroma and the right texture, not too sticky and not too oily.  Then, I was moisturized with cocoa cream before being treated with the warm chocolate wrap and tucked in like a cocoon for about 20 minutes.  Using chocolate for body wrap is definitely a fun way as it is both beneficial for the skin and stimulating for the senses as well.  The cocoa mixture contains other compounds and minerals   for hydrating and soothing the skin.  The delicious chocolate scent calms and relaxes your senses, while the warm and thick texture of hot cocoa fondue is being smothered all over your body.  After, the chocolate is washed off in a hydro shower with steamer before being moisturized with a light massage.  The whole treatment takes about an hour and a half and I definitely noticed how much softer my skin felt after the treatment.  The best part is I still smell a bit like chocolate after! Of course, I won't mind doing this on a regular basis.

Bernard Cassiere, the brand of products being used for the treatment, is a natural skin care line from France. Established in 2000, the brand is well known for the chocolate skin care products, which are offered exclusively at certain locations in Canada.  I quite enjoyed the products and looking forward to trying more in the future.

Do it right from your home! (a bit messy and you may need another person there to help with the wrap)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup of sugar
olive or coconut oil

First stage: honey and sugar exfoliate  

Make sure you use big sugar granules for a good scrub.  Mix 2 ingredients together to make one cup.  You may want to add olive or coconut oil for extra moisturizing power.

Ingredients:

2 dark chocolate bars, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup whole milk
plastic wraps (or to improvise, use clean garbage bags cut out)
several big towels you won't mind getting messy
2 small face towels

Second stage: the chocolate fondue wrap
Melt chocolate bars and mix honey and whole milk to the mixture.  Make sure you cool down the chocolate to warm so it doesn't burn the skin when you apply.

Procedure:
*warning: This will get messy!
Sit on a mat layered with towels on the bottom and plastic wraps on top.  Exfoliate all over the body with honey and sugar.  With a warm and moist towel, wipe away all the granules from the body.  Then, cover entire body with the warm chocolate mixture starting with the legs.  Make sure you do a couple layers while the chocolate is still warm.  The chocolate mixture would also make a great face mask as well. Start wrapping yourself with the plastic wrap starting from your feet up, followed by wrapping with towels.  Make sure you are well tucked in.  It is a good idea to use some kind of support for your knees and neck to keep yourself elevated and comfortable.   After 20 minutes, rinse off the chocolate with warm shower and moisturize immediately.

Thai herbal 101

List of ingredients commonly use in Thai cuisine, medicine, and skin care regime. Check out their benefits here!

Green Tea benefits for natural skin care

1.Weight Loss - green tea extract is rich in polyphenols and caffeine which stimulate fat oxidation and increase metabolic rate.  Green tea consumption should be limited to 2 - 3 cups / day.
2.Cancer and heart disease - consumption is green tea is also shown to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and reducing risks of cardiovascular disease.  Studies suggest that polyphenols in green tea inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.
3. Skin care - High in vitamin C, minerals, and phytochemical compounds, green tea helps increase elasticity and skin rejuvenation.  Anti oxidants in green tea reduces appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and lighten uneven complexion.  The leaves can be used as a gentle exfoliant to give skin a healthy glow.
4. Inflammation - Green tea extract has anti-inflammatory effects on sensitive skin
5. Acne - Green tea catechins are anti-bacterial and can control acne breakouts without side effects.  To create a green tea toner, simply steep green tea into a cup of distilled or mineral water.  Apply to affected areas with cotton pads.
6. Tired puffy eyes - Caffeine in green tea can help stimulate blood circulation.  Steeped green tea pouches can be refrigerated for 2 hours then placed over tired eyes to alleviate puffiness.

Skin care NO NO's: Cockroach face mask

I'm still not 100% sure if this is real or fake because of the cockroach legs strategically placed on her face.  Nonetheless, I hate cockroaches and I think they are dirty.  I know of nutrients in the fruits and yogurt, but cockroaches blended and mixed with yogurt for face mask? I think it can only do more harm than good.

Thailand, the land of spa

During the early 2000's, the growth of the spa industry in Thailand rocketed by an exhilarating 64% and since 1999 Thailand has secured itself a top-5 world rating. Currently, Thailand is the second highest ranked spa destination and one of the largest spa exporters in the world.  If you have traveled to Thailand, you have seen health spas flourish in almost every street corner.  The popularity soared with the locals becoming more health conscious and looking for natural ways to relax and detoxify while foreigners often seek traditional Thai massage and being in a tropical retreat.  Most commonly seen spas are 4 to 5 star resort and spas which are often destination retreat for honeymoon couples, or foreigners who often come back to relax.   Health spas in Thailand usually includes Thai traditional massage, detoxification, body wraps, and rejuvenating facial treatments.  


The uniqueness of Thai spa comes from a combination of holistic approach to healing and balancing the body and spirit with nature.  Thai traditional massage originated around 2500 hundred years ago.  Practitioners operate the massage with yoga-like postures, treating the body as a "vessel" which permeates "air", energy, to travel through.  Since ancient times, both traditional massage and the use of natural ingredients are combined to treat ailments and skin disorders.  Abundant with botanicals, Thailand is rich in both resources and knowledge of the healing properties of these plants on human physiology.  The same ingredients used in modern day skincare products today are the same that were used over one hundred years ago in Thailand.  They include coconut oil, rice bran oil, moringa, bergamot, etc.  Aromatherapy used with essential oils extracted from tropical herbs and flowers such as orchid, jasmine, ginger, and lemongrass have also become distinct signature scents for Thai spa.  

Harnn & Thann goes head-to-head against skin-care giants

Harnn & Thann goes head-to-head against skin-care giants

Fadi Ghaby has a nose for business. After falling in love with the exotic scents and smells of Thailand, the savvy businessman jumped at the opportunity to bring them home.

Ghaby is the owner of Harnn & Thann North America. The Thai-based, all-natural skin-care line enjoys huge success throughout Asia, Australia and Europe. Surprisingly, its North American headquarters is in Ottawa. The brand's success across the continent rests largely on Ghaby's shoulders, as he gets set to take on the leading skin-care giants.

"I am blown away by the product," he says. "Both men and women love it. The line is exotic but not feminine."

The 37-year-old believes people buy products from companies that have a huge marketing machine behind them such as Aveda, Clinique and the Body Shop.

Harnn was first launched in Thailand in 1999 as a home-spa product company. Thann was created three years later to promote its skin-and hair-care line. The company now boasts 70 stores in 22 countries. The two lines feature all-natural face and body care, moisturizers, cleansers, aromatherapy and anti-aging products. All are paraben-free with no artificial colours or fragrances, and the packaging is made from recycled materials.

"Asian culture is about balance. Our concept is to calm people down by concentrating on mind, body and spirit," Ghaby says.

The sensual aromas of jasmine, orange, magnolia, lemon grass and cinnamon greet visitors at his store, where customers can purchase full spa treatments.

"When people try it, they're addicted, but this is a niche market where we have to entice the right customer," Ghaby says. "Our client is not usually an impulse buyer. They want information on ingredients, product line, and will return to make a purchase."

Ingredients include sesame seed oil, rice bran oil, chamomile and honey extract and Shiso essential oils.

Ghaby, a former JDS Uniphase employee, left the field of high-tech in 2006 to become an entrepreneur.

"When a friend brought back the product from Thailand, my wife and I tried it and were hooked. I went to Bangkok, met the owners and the rest is history."

Visit www.thann.ca