The Better Blog

Biotin and collagen have risen in popularity in the beauty supplement world. Yet, many of us remain unsure of the difference between the two and if we should choose one over the other. Truthfully, much of your decision about what’s right for you will depend on your beauty goals. 

For example, if hair loss is bumming you out, you may need to ensure you're getting the proper nutrients for stronger, shinier hair. Likewise, to achieve healthier skin elasticity, you may need products that can help you boost protein building blocks for smoother, thicker skin. 

With so many companies promoting their new sulfate-free products, or remaining eerily silent on the subject, it can be hard to know where your needs fall. Should you keep using products with sulfates? Or do you want to make the switch because you’re worried they might be causing your skin or hair to dry out?

And now the question of sulfate-free shampoo and hair loss is surfacing. In order to understand whether sulfate-free shampoo causes hair loss or not, it’s first important to understand what sulfates are, and why exactly they’re included in so many of your products.

Full brows with a graceful arch can accent your eyes in a way that nothing else can. Unfortunately, just as the hair on your head can become thinner over time, age-related hormonal changes can also decrease your eyebrow density. As a result, you may notice gaps and visible skin in areas of the brow bone where you’ve never before had problems.

On the other hand, maybe you’ve always had thin brows or made the mistake of over-plucking to create a shape. Regardless of the reason for your strand scarcity, eyebrow serums may help by creating the appearance of fuller, healthier brows. 

Because of your hair’s growth cycle, it can take two to three months between a stressful event and the first signs of mass shedding. Doctors have reported seeing an influx of patients detailing with temporary hair-loss symptoms several weeks after their COVID-19 symptoms resolve. 

The condition, telogen effluvium, is not considered a coronavirus symptom, but it is a result of the infection. Though this hair loss temporarily lasts six to nine weeks, it can feel like an eternity while you wait for it to grow back. Thankfully, you can manage it in the meantime with a COVID hair-loss treatment.

Many people make the connection between washing their hair and losing their hair. After all, most of us have witnessed the clumps gathered in the shower drain after shampooing. But, if washing with a specific frequency can cause us to shed our hair, what happens when we do the opposite?

Factors like activity level, texture, age and hair type determine how often we should be washing our hair. If you don’t go too long between shampoos, you likely won’t experience much hair loss beyond regular shedding. Using dry shampoo on off days supports scalp health and hydration.

Are you finally done with chemotherapy and ready to take on the world but don’t know what to do with your new post-chemo hair as it grows? We’ve got you covered. It’s normal for your new hair to regrow in a different texture or color. Your baby hairs will likely grow as soft and fluffy as a newborn kitten. These changes are usually temporary—but even if they’re not, we’ll be here every step of the way.

Scalp issues are often caused by problem buildup that can clog the hair follicle. Activated charcoal is an ingredient that can clean and absorb that buildup and relieve the flakiness, irritation and itchiness that come with it. 

Activated Charcoal’s unique attributes can remove buildup without the harsh ingredients found in many cleansing products. When you discover more of the purifying benefits of activated charcoal for your hair, we’re confident you’ll want to add it to your scalp care routine.

Deep conditioning hair masks are great for conditioning, soothing and softening our hair. If you love what your deep conditioner does for your hair, you may consider using it overnight. But be mindful that many hair masks are not formulated to use as overnight deep conditioners.

Some deep conditioners have ingredients that can weigh down your tresses, making them dull, limp or gummy if left on too long. However, lightweight masks can take overnight deep conditioning to the next level when used with a hot terry-cloth turban wrap.

Lashes are often considered a universal sign of beauty. They may be associated with higher levels of confidence, attractiveness and well-being. Most of us desire long, thick, dark lashes that make our eyes "pop." However, beyond aesthetics, lashes are a crucial part of your lid margin anatomy (the edge of your eyelids). 

Your lashes provide a barrier between your eye's internal and external environment and are extremely sensitive to threats and irritants. Additionally, they act as sensors to trigger a blink reflex when a foreign object gets close to your eye, preventing injury and safeguarding your eyes from particles. 

Knowing this, we don’t want to be without our lashes for long. So, how long does it take for them to grow back? About six weeks if there was no damage to your eyelid or follicle; longer if you pulled out your eyelash.

Sulfates do a great job of helping shampoos remove sweat, oil and grime from your hair. Yet, your hair and scalp need to retain some of their natural oils and moisture to remain healthy. 

When sulfate shampoos strip away too much moisture, your hair becomes dry and brittle. Mix this with the effects of menopause, and you have a recipe for frizzy, unmanageable and thinning hair! 

Switching to a sulfate-free shampoo can help, especially if it’s a product with ingredients designed to address aging hair challenges.

Once you know what to expect from your hair during chemotherapy, you can prepare for what’s ahead. Sometimes, getting ready for what’s to come can take much stress and anxiety off your shoulders. You can do several things during the treatment to improve your hair care routine, and even more decisions should be made beforehand. Take your time and focus on everything you can do to make your treatment less stressful and give yourself as much of a headstart as possible.