Folligen Shampoo and Folligen Conditioner

Excessive shampooing is the main cause of damage to the hair shafts. Folligen Therapy Shampoo is formulated at a relatively low pH of 5.8. These permits good cleaning but avoids the harsh alkaline pHs of most cosmetic shampoos.

The shampoo is designed to biochemically protect the hair proteins which have a high sulfur content from the amino acid cysteine and which can easily form cross-links to other cystines in the hair molecule. These bonds are responsible for the hair's toughness and abrasion resistance and the cross-links hold the hair fibers together. As long as this organization is not disrupted, the fiber is strong and appears "healthy".

Shampoos of higher pH (more alkaline than Folligen Therapy Shampoo) work better to clean the hair and scalp but the more alkaline shampoos strip away too many natural scalp oils and extract the "glues" that help hold the hair shafts together. Experts say that these high pH alkaline shampoos make your hair look great for a few weeks but then cause the hair to become dry and brittle which and increases breakage of your hair. Also, baby shampoos which are formulated for gentleness if they get in to the eyes dry out the hair.

Folligen Therapy Shampoo contains no "flash-foamers", foaming chemicals that add lather (which does nothing for the hair) and damages the hair shafts and the scalp.

Be careful of "clarifying shampoos". They are rather harsh and intended to remove materials that build up on hair such as mousses and sprays but they also can remove color and perms. Some hair experts recommend avoiding such shampoos and instead just mix, in your hand, plain baking soda from your kitchen with your normal shampoo and apply this to your hair to remove build up.

When finished, the shampoo should be completely rinsed from the hair to help bring the pH back down to its natural level. Also, the detergents in shampoos are very irritating to the scalp and must be completely removed. Most experts recommend using a shower for the most complete removal of the shampoo.

Some shampoo manufacturers recommend that you comb through your wet hair to distribute the shampoo evenly into the hair. But wet hair is more easily broken this way and you will only end up with worse hair.

Dry hair lacks enough natural oils. To shampoo, use the minimum amount of shampoo possible and only shampoo your hair every other day. If your hair is very dry, only shampoo every two to three days. Our ancestors went months between hair washing and had healthy hair.

Oily hair is more difficult to manage and shampoo. Oily hair looks moist, dull and is often difficult to comb. The fatty substance that covers oily hair called sebum is over produced by the sebaceous glands of the hair follicle. Sebum is rapidly is restored after washing the hair. More frequent washing with stronger, more soapy shampoos helps remove oil but damages the hair. Retinoic acid may be used to reduce oil production. Retinoic acid also stimulates hair growth and increases follicle health. But do not overuse retinoic acid since this can result in scalp irritation.

Folligen Therapy Conditioner is formulated pH 4.8 to re-acidfy your hair after shampooing. Restoring this natural acid environment to the hair and scalp helps keep the hair proteins hard and prevents the growth of foreign bacteria. It contains the highest quality amino acids and pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) to re-seal the hair cuticles after shampooing. It is designed to help de-tangle hair and add a lustrous shine. amino acids.

The conditioner is designed to harden the hair's keratin after shampooing. Keratin is the major hair protein which forms biologic filaments into hard, tough, insoluble, hair shafts. Three layers of keratin form every hair. The outer sheath of cuticle forms overlapping scales.

Copper-peptides are added to help enhance to health and vitality of your hair, scalp, and hair follicles.

The outer layer of hair forms cuticles somewhat like fish scales and is shown in the picture to the left. A healthy strand of hair has an outer layer of scales that are laying close above each other. If scales are laying flat, the hair will look shiny, and a comb or brush will glide smoothly. The cuticles are held down flat by mixtures of polypeptides - similar to the yellow liquid collagen glues used by schoolchildren such as LePage's Glue. Shampoos remove some of the the bonding-peptides and loosen the cuticle. Folligen Therapy Conditioner adds these small peptides back into the cuticle to hold it into place again. A small amount of pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) is also used which helps with the bonding process. If the cuticle stays open it can start a tear (see second photo at the left) in the hair shaft that ultimately leads to breakage of the hair shaft (see third photo at the left). High quality conditioners also help glue together split hair ends. The longer you leave the conditioner on the hair, the better it smoothes out the hair cuticle.

Many other types of hair conditioners contain botanicals and herbal extracts such as extracts of juniper berries and buckhorn leaves and so forth. These herbal extracts interfere with the glue process and reduce the protective effects of the hair conditioners. Combs with unpolished teeth, sharp hair clamps and tight elastic bands can also disrupt the hair scales and produce damage. With this damage, the strand will rip more easily, the opened scales do not allow other strands to glide over as smooth as before, which can result in tangles.

Conditioners should be at a low pH of 4.0 to 4.5. The hair proteins remain very strong at a low pH and shampoos - with their higher pH - should be completely rinsed out of hair. Higher pH's start unraveling the protein strands and loosen and break the hair. A small amount of fat is added to give the hair a better shine.

Hot oil treatment conditioners are the latest marketing ploy from the cosmetic companies. The idea dates back to the 1950's when hot oil treatments were first marketed by Alberto Culver. The basic idea is that the application of heat drives the conditioners - oils, peptides, etc. - deeper into the hair shaft and the hair looks better for a short time. However, the high heat - about 250° F from a hot air dryer - will ultimately damage the hair follicles - which cannot take heat much about 120° F. - and the follicles will produce less hair and thinner hair.

Thank you for answering my questions, and i just wanted to say your products are great!! I use daily the Folligen Shampoo and Conditioner along with the Folligen Spray, Folligen Cream, and the Emu Oil for my hair. And I use CP Serum for my face. I apply them twice daily, once in the morning and at night. In fact I use the Folligen Therapy Spray as a hair spray. I have only been using them for about 2 weeks; my hair is thicker, my scalp is healthier, and my face is clearer and more vibrant.

I received my first order last week and I wanted to thank you for making such great products! I washed my hair in the shampoo and conditioner first. I never dreamed my hair could be so soft! I am still touching my hair every chance I get!

I am very pleased with the P&R. I was previously using Kinerase and your product is much more effective. I can really tell a difference, my face has a wonderful glow.

Really happy with the shampoo and conditioner. My hairdresser said my hair never looked in such good condition. The highlights are also more brilliant.

I had problems with my hair falling out. After using Folligen Shampoo 3 months, the shedding stopped and my hair is looking great.

I have to tell you the shampoo and conditioner are great. How long should either of these be left on the hair/scalp ?

I have very good and thick hair, but my problem was that my hair was dry and frizzy. No shampoos worked for me until Folligen Shampoo and Conditioner. Even using these, it took a few weeks for my hair to start improving but the longer I use the products, the better my hair looks and feels.

I've been using the Folligen Shampoo and Conditioner along with the Spray and Lotion. My hair is now really looking very healthy, shiny and looks thicker. It also seems to be growing faster.

I have to tell you, the Folligen conditioner (and Folligen Spray) are incredible products. My hair shedding has stopped with the spray, and the conditioner leaves my hair looking and feeling really healthy. You have a customer for life. :)

I tried the Folligen Shampoo/Conditioner sample pack. My hair really looks good with them!

I've used the Folligen Shampoo and Conditioner for only a few days and people have already complimented me on how hair is gorgeous and really shines. This is the first time in my life that I've ever been complimented on my hair.

When I looked at the Folligen Conditioner I really wondered about it because it was so thick. But afterward I used it my hair felt so slippery and had a great color and shine. Really like the products.

After having extra stresses, my hair became rough looking and often tangled. The regular shampoos and conditioners helped a little but no much. The Folligen has smoothed my hair and stopped the tangling. It also looks much better.

Chemical and mechanical injuries to the hair or scalp can produce a number of different effects. Tight hairstyles, hot combs, hot oil treatments, and harsh use of hair blowers can all produce damage to the hair fiber. One should be aware of potential consequences when manipulating hair and exercise caution.

The typical chemicals used to alter hair include bleaches, dyes, relaxers, and agents used for permanents. Any of these chemicals can cause some degree of hair damage but, with care, most cosmetic products produce minimal unwanted side-effects. It is more difficult to repair damaged hair than to use gentler techniques that result in less damage to your hair. Some cosmetic products are partially beneficial in repairing damaged hair but normal quality of hair will return only after the production of new hair to replace the damaged fibers.

Factors that damage hair include the normal "weathering" that occurs to the ends of long hairs that are exposed to the environment or exposure to chlorine from swimming pools. The apparent lightening of hair color noted to occur with individuals who have prolonged sun exposure during the summertime is an example of photochemical damage. As with other forms of damage, full reversal is often not possible.

Brushing is an essential part of healthy hair. Brushing helps keep the scalp healthy and improves your blood circulation which feeds the hair roots (follicles). It also helps distributes the natural protective fats along the length of the hair shafts. These fats serve as lubricants that allow smoother combing without breaking the hair shafts.

Morning brushing is best with a natural hair bristle brush which is similar to your hair structure and less likely to produce tangles on long hair. The brush should have a wooden base that reduces static electricity. If combing, start with a wide tooth tortoise shell comb. Never use a metal or rubber comb.

For brushing, stand with feet a little apart and bend down from your waist until the hair falls in a curtain before your face. Then brush your hair gently, starting from the hair roots at the nape of your neck and moving toward the end of the hair. Follow each brush stroke with a stoke from the open palm of your other hand to help counteract the build up of static electricity. Slowly build up you brushing to 50 strokes a day.

Some hair stylists recommend parting your hair on the right side. Most people use a left part or a center part. These experts say that hair follicles have a natural tendency to to grow from the left to the right. A right side part tends to push the hair against this angle and adds more natural "push-up" height to your hair. They say not to use a middle part which puts additional stress on the weakest hairs on the top of the head.

A center part starts a line that goes down the middle of the face and this accentuates the nose and any irregularities that exist between the left and the right sides of your face. The movie and television industries found this out many years ago. Few people have faces that are symmetrical enough to look good in a center part. Studies on the biological basis (genetically ingrained) for viewing others as beautiful have found that humans highly value, albeit unconsciously, symmetrical facial features. Yet very few people have truly symmetrical faces. By parting the hair on the side, you distract the mind of other people from focusing on any possible facial irregularities.

The famous hair stylist George Michael (now deceased) of New York City developed successful methods to grow out very long lengths of hair in women. Women are often told that after they reach thirty that hair should be no longer than shoulder length. Michael felt long hair was majestic on a mature woman, did much to downplay wrinkles, made them look younger immediately.

One of his secrets was the use of acid conditioners and acid pre-treatment products used before swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water or exposing the hair to sunlight. This kept the hair proteins very tightly bound together. He used hair dryers set only about 10° F higher than body temperature. Common blow dryers reach temperatures of up to 260°F. Water boils at 212°F. This high heat can damage hair follicles. Large rollers of soft mesh or plastic were used for drying the hair. Velcro rollers were not used because they can tear the hair. Special care was taken to protect the ends of the hair when rolling or setting.

Hair cutting was done as one-length style using a straight blunt cut. Michael felt that when hair was cut in layers, the body automatically tried to even out the hair which created extra fallout. Shampoos were kept to a minimum. Vitamin and mineral supplements were recommended. He recommended covering hair at all times when exposed to direct sunlight.

Hair experts have a number of suggestions. But remember, people who only want to cut your hair off usually know little about hair.

1. Hair is best cut when dry. The detangling comb is designed to be used on damp hair. Start at the ends and work up.

2. Detangle dry hair before washing. De-tangle ends first, then work your way up. Do not try to remove from top to bottom since this may pull out hair. Before entering a shower, use your your comb or brush to give your hair a few strokes. This aligns the strands, and help prevent tangles.

3. For washing, bring your hair to the front before you wet it and leave it there hanging down and keep it there during shampooing. During the washing, try not to move your hair. This keeps the hair strands in position so they won't move upwards and wrap themselves around other strands, resulting in tangles. Use water of room temperature for your hair. The lowest temperature that you can use is best for hair. Warm water open the hair scales, making the hair shaft more vulnerable to damage.

4. Use a minimum of a shampoo with a pH 5.0 to 6.0. Avoid foaming shampoos. Pour some shampoo into your palm, then rub your hands together and run the palms of your hands over your head but not yet down the string of hair. If the shampoo begins to foam, you used too much.

5. The shampoo is used to remove dirt from the top layers of your hair. Don't try to wash your hair inside out - just let the shampoo suds penetrate these under layers briefly as it flows over the lower part of your hair. Use your fingers to help release the soap from your head and works the shampoo down the hair. Running your fingers down the string of hair helps detangling.

Make sure that you wash out all of the shampoo. When you think all shampoo is gone, allow another half minute of constant water flow to ensure that residues are gone. Then bend over, and
give a final rinse of the lower hair part with cold water.

6. Folligen Therapy Conditioner is a acidifying conditioner with peptides that re-bond the hair cuticles. It also helps detangle hair, add body and increase the hair's natural shine. Put extra conditioner on the hair ends to prevent split ends. Give the conditioner at least a minute to glue into the hair. For a final rinse use cool or cold water.

7. Air dry your hair whenever possible and use a special highly absorbent towel for your hair. Do not dry your hair with your general bath towel.

8. When you must blow dry your hair, first wrap in a towel for a time to remove most of the water. Blow dry the hair for a time, then let it air dry for a time.

15. Many hairdressers only cut hair. Tell them to keep trimming to an absolute minimum. Avoid hostile or hyper-critical hairdressers.

17. Think of your hair as a silk garment and treat it accordingly. Both silk and hair are protein fibers. You would not wash a silk garment with a cheap detergent in a washing machine at a high temperature with a high agitation cycle and then dry it in a dryer at a high temperature. Think of what a silk garment would look like after such a treatment.

18. Take time for your hair. There is no product that can create wonderful hair within a few hours. Hair improvements take a few weeks.

19. If someone criticizes your hair, ignore them. Hair arouses may emotions and jealousies so arrange your hair in the fashion that pleases yourself.

Would it be possible to mix Folligen® (2 parts) with ethyl alcohol (1 part) to enhance absorption and "flowing" to the scalp?

Skin Biology answer: Many people are mixing Folligen® with minoxidil - which is in alcohol - and reporting good results. We are working on a version of Folligen® in an ethyl alcohol solution.

This is to tell you about my results with Folligen®. I've been using minoxidil for a year - but nothing much to see. So I tried putting Folligen® on one side of my head and minoxidil on the other side. What I found after two months that the hair looked much better down the middle of my head where the Folligen® and minoxidil overlapped. There definitely was better hair growth down the overlap area. Now at night I apply the minoxidil and let it start drying then apply the Folligen®. The two tend to mix a little but this seems to help the spreading. My hair looks much better and I seem to have more hair growing.

I am 54 years old and have serious thinning on the crown of my head. After using Folligen® for 2 months, my hair loss has stopped and I'm seeing some significant new hair growth. My wife agrees with me also. This is the first treatment that has helped my hair problems.

Folligen® is great. I've been using it for several months along with minoxidil. I've had a long-time problem with maintaining a healthy scalp. Minoxidil seemed to help but always made my scalp raw and irritated.

Now I use Folligen® along with minoxidil, I've had less inflammation, itching, and flaking. I've tried and given up on many other products that are supposed to improve the health of the scalp's skin, but Folligen® is the only one I've ended up sticking with.

I just wanted to let you know that I have been on Folligen for a few weeks and have already seen some impressive results. I know it is not necessarily supposed to work this quickly (I expected to maybe see something after 3 months, not three weeks) but it is.

I have been applying Folligen along the hairline where the hair is receding. I'm now definitely getting some regrowth and the hair loss has stopped.