Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which doesn’t sound like such a bad idea actually…) you’re aware of the ongoing pandemic occurring globally right now. People are quarantined, wearing masks, and wiping out stores of hand sanitizer and (for some reason?) toilet paper. It’s a pretty scary situation that will hopefully resolve itself soon, but we thought this would be a good opportunity to discuss hair and scalp health. All parts of our bodies are exposed to bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, and free radicals – including your hair! An unhealthy scalp can cause a host of problems so keeping it clean and protected should definitely be on your checklist.

As with our hands, it’s important to keep our scalps sanitized and not just for aesthetic reasons. Our hair is dense and has a large surface area which can carry germs that will remain there for hours, or even worse, will spread to other parts of our bodies. Furthermore, bacteria and fungi left on the scalp can create a pretty nasty situation – one that could result in hair loss, hair breakage, or even a serious infection.

The problem is that many shampoos and hair products out there are not antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial or antifungal, so generally hair washing isn’t going to help. However, at Paul Joseph Professional, we recognized the importance of sanitization and that’s why we’ve included several beneficial extracts in our products.

• CITRUS EXTRACT: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant & Antiseptic Properties Antiseptic Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo, LOCK IT IN Shampoo & UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray
  
  
• GARLIC EXTRACT: Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant & Immune-Boosting Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo
  
  
• SAGE EXTRACT: Antibiotic, Anti-Allergic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant & Antiseptic Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo
  
  
• ECHINACEA EXTRACT: Anti-Inflammatory, Antiviral, Antioxidant & Immune-Boosting Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo
  
  
• CARROT OIL EXTRACT: Antibacterial & Antifungal Properties
• Contained in ENHANCE Shine Serum
  
  
• WHITE OAK BARK EXTRACT: Antiseptic, Antibacterial & Anti-Inflammatory Properties
• Contained in STACKED Shampoo & LOCK IT IN Shampoo

While using these products won’t make you immune to whichever illness is circulating near you, they will certainly help to maintain a healthy scalp (which means healthy hair!) and can reduce the amount of germs/bacteria you’re carrying around with you. With the world the way it is right now – every little bit helps! Be sure to take the necessary precautions and keep yourself and your family healthy and happy! 😊

Hair & Photo By Kim Bruno @kimmykimster

Spring is right around the corner (finally!) and that means many people are freshening up their color or adding sunny highlights for the new season. But it’s not cheap to get your hair colored – the popular balayage technique can run you hundreds of dollars depending on where you go. Most don’t realize how important it is to secure your investment by using color-protecting hair products. Your color lasts longer when you take care of it, resulting in less salon visits for touch ups, saving a lot of money in the long run! Here at Paul Joseph Professional we understand that, so we use cutting edge and natural ingredients in our specialized products to keep your color sparkling.

The first and most common line of defense is shampoo and conditioner. Our sulfate free LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting system uses a specialized UV absorber (with a long scientific name), to prevent color fade caused by UVA and UVB rays. Dyed hair can also become brittle, weak and dull so it’s important to stay hydrated. LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting Shampoo contains extracts such as garlic, sage, lemon and echinacea which help to add and retain moisture, increase shine, and even boost healthy hair growth. The keratin, protein, and vitamins contained in the LOCK IT IN Color-Protecting conditioner aid in repairing hair damaged by the coloring process, giving your hair a healthier, more vibrant appearance.

Next, the blow out process. By using a combination of INTENSITY Leave-In Treatment and UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray (or either one on their own) you can keep your hair hydrated and protected from color fade even on the sunniest of spring days. The sunflower seed extract in INTENSITY keeps the color sealed in, the strands hydrated and repaired, and protects against damage caused by UVA/UVB rays. UPGRADE adds to that protection with lemon zest extract which has antioxidant properties, shielding your hair against the elements. The sugar cane extract, also in UPGRADE, contributes to retaining moisture and conditioning each strand for a manageable texture.

And lastly, styling. In the past decade, it has been discovered that the “superfood” quinoa was found to help retain color when the extract is used in hair products. That’s why we included that, as well as kiwi, mango and aloe extracts in our ELEVATE Color-Protecting Hairspray. The flexible hold is never crunchy and won’t dull your beautiful (and expensive) color – in fact it will add shine (something hairsprays typically don’t do!) On top of looking nice, your scalp and strands will absorb nutrients rather than harmful build-up, improving the condition of your hair and color with every use.

So after your next expensive trip to the salon, think about the long-term effects of color-treating your hair and how to keep it as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Stylists have a fountain of knowledge when it comes to this, so don’t be afraid to ask which product is best for you and your hair type. And don’t forget to mention Paul Joseph Professional – our complete color-protecting system will change your life (and your wallet!)

It should be no surprise to you that lemons are an effective cleaning agent – from household cleaners, to dish soap, to homemade cleaning solutions – lemon extract is everywhere. But what you may not have known is that Ancient Egyptians actually used lemon juice (most likely mixed with clay or another diluting ingredient) to cleanse their thick hair of grease, dirt, natural oils, and sand (I mean have you ever tried to get the sand out of your hair after a day at the beach – not an easy task!) What they discovered is that the astringent and purifying properties of the lemon were super effective at breaking through all the muck for clean, fresh hair.

Which is exactly why we included lemon extract in both our LOCK IT IN and STACKED Shampoos. In addition to cleansing the hair and scalp of buildup (and even hard water limescale), it works to balance your pH levels. Your hair’s pH typically falls within 4.5 to 5.5, but if your hair products are too strong, they can cause your hair to frizz, develop split ends or become brittle. Lemons have a pH of 2, and when used in shampoo, it can balance the pH of your hair which will reduce frizz, split ends and breakage – it’ll even work to create shine! The acidic nature of the fruit will also tighten your hair follicles, preventing hair fall and promoting healthier growth.

Another key element of lemon are its antioxidant qualities. This will prevent damage caused by environmental stresses that are regularly put on your hair (eg. UV rays, smoke, pollution, etc.) These factors can lead to premature ageing and greying, and the lemon extract will slow this process. In addition, the anti-fungal and antibacterial properties of the extract help to fight off scalp conditions that can cause dandruff.

We love lemon extract for these reasons and more, and on top of including it in our top two shampoos, we also added it to our UPGRADE Quick Blow-Dry Spray. Because the extract has those clarifying properties, it can actually regulate the production of natural oils on your scalp. When you’re at a healthy level, your hair will be bouncier, lighter, and yes – even dry quicker. The vitamin C in the lemon boosts the production of collagen as well, which repairs your porous strands (caused by heat or chemical damage), creating a shiny surface and less frizz. So the next time life hands you lemons – don’t make lemonade. Turn those lemons into great hair!

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Hair & Photo by Kayce Babinski @beautybybabinski