Hair loss, dandruff, and an oily and greasy scalp — these are the top three most common hair and scalp problems of Singaporean men and women. But what causes these problems? And now that the festive season is almost upon us, what can we do to stride into Christmas and the new year with a glorious head of hair? Read on for three common hair mistakes Singaporeans are making, and what we can do to combat our hair issues.

#1: Not realising that your shampoo and Singapore’s water may be damaging your hair.
Did you know that Singapore’s water may lead to hair loss? According to TK Trichokare’s Trichologist, Dr Pooja Chhabra, our water is heavily processed and filtered, and the high chlorine content is bad for the hair and scalp, as it can strip away the protective layers that coat the hair, resulting in breakage and increased hair fall. While we can’t do much about the water supply, we can lessen hair woes by using the right shampoo for our hair and scalp needs.

#2: Not washing your hair frequently enough.
“It’s important to wash the scalp every day,” says Dr Pooja. She adds that overactive sebaceous glands can clog the hair follicles if we leave hair unwashed for too long. In addition, as we shed about 13,000 dead skin cells daily, not washing our hair frequently can also result in an accumulation of dead skin cells, dirt and oil that can congest and irritate the scalp, causing inflammation, dandruff and hair loss.

#3: Over-using dry shampoo.
With the popularity of dry shampoos, we think nothing of spraying on the stuff post-gym or when skipping hair wash day. Dr Pooja says that dry shampoo is essentially an oil-absorbing powder, and when used too often, the build-up can irritate the scalp and weaken hair follicles, resulting in hair breakage and hair loss.

While we can try to rectify some of these problems by avoiding these common mistakes and using the right haircare and techniques, sometimes we can all benefit with a little extra help.

TK TrichoKare can help you achieve healthy scalp and hair. Utilising advanced technologies together with premium European herbal hair remedies, each TrichoKare treatment is personalised to your unique hair and scalp condition. And to keep hair and scalp feeling clean, healthy and unclogged, the award-winning Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment helps men and women to detox the scalp and remove impurities, as it targets hair woes such as premature thinning hair, or ageing and sensitive scalps.

Every hair journey starts with a meeting with the trichologist and a hair and scalp analysis. At TrichoKare, they use a machine with a lens that can magnify your scalp and hair up to 200 times, allowing the hair doctor to assess the state of your scalp and hair. After the diagnosis, it’s time to begin the Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment and the TriOxy programme: OxyPeel, OxyJet and OxyNutrient.

Just like the exfoliation step in a regular facial, the OxyPeel does the same for the scalp. A gentle acidic peel combining Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is applied to the scalp, especially on troubled areas, to remove impurities and decongest the hair follicles from dead skin, sebum and product build-up, as well as bacteria. An oxygenated jet spray is used together with the solution to boost absorption and circulation.

The solution is washed off after 15 minutes, and your hair is washed with TrichoKare’s in-house formulated shampoo and conditioner. This revitalising hair bath restores and re-balances your scalp’s sebum levels, keeping it clean and fresh. Then it’s back to your seat where your senses are further relaxed with a heated shoulder pad to soothe frayed nerves and reduce stress, which can contribute to hair loss.

Next, sodium hyaluronate is applied to the scalp, and another oxygen jet spray is applied. This powerful humectant not only hydrates the skin from deep within but also accelerates cell metabolism and improves blood circulation to keep scalp healthy.

Using specially selected ampoules to target your unique issues, your scalp is nourished. Enriched with essential ingredients, these help to re-densify and promote hair regrowth while strengthening the follicles to stem and prevent future hair loss. To enhance absorption, another oxygen jet spray is used.

After hair is blow-dried and styled, Photodynamic Therapy is administered for 10 minutes. Here, infra-red light is used to repair the hair and scalp, and support hair regeneration at the same time. To finish, a last check under the hair and scalp analysis machine shows the effects of the treatment.

Try TK TrichoKare’s award-winning Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment for just $40 nett, and receive a free Travel Haircare Kit and HairGro ampoule (worth $745 in total). Sign up via www.tk-hair.com/8days. What’s more, you’ll stand to win a 2D1N Staycation at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Hotel, worth $680, with each trial treatment.