The same way healthy skin provides the foundation for a glowing complexion, a healthy scalp helps create the optimal environment for stronger, fuller-looking hair. That’s why scalp health is quickly becoming a dominant category in the beauty industry, especially as more people connect shedding and thinning to everything from menopause and postpartum shifts to stress, aging and rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1 medications.
“We’re seeing scalp health become beauty’s next big frontier because consumers are finally understanding that healthy hair really starts with a healthy scalp,” says Birmingham, AL dermatologist Corey Hartman, MD. “Over the last several years, conversations around stress-related shedding, thinning and overall hair vitality have increased significantly, especially post-pandemic. At the same time, people are becoming much more focused on preventive care and treatments that support the scalp before concerns become more advanced. I always remind patients that the scalp is skin. It exfoliates, produces oil, experiences buildup and can become inflamed just like the skin on your face. For so long, people focused only on the hair itself and overlooked the scalp underneath. Treating the scalp like skin means maintaining it through consistent cleansing, exfoliation and hydration so you’re creating the healthiest possible environment for hair growth.”
Luckily, in addition to efficacious products, there are other noninvasive solutions that support long-term scalp and hair wellness, and that includes HydraScalp with Keravive.
What is HydraScalp with Keravive?
First launched in 2020, Hydrafacial’s Keravive treatment was a first-of-its-kind system designed to cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate the scalp, similarly to the brand’s three-step skin-care protocol. Now, more than six years later, the enhanced experience—HydraScalp with Keravive—introduces newly engineered Purify and Nourish treatment tips that are “specifically designed for the scalp to improve exfoliation, suction and serum delivery for more precise, visible results.”
How do hormonal shifts impact hair health and scalp health?
“Hormonal changes during menopause and postpartum can disrupt the hair growth cycle, often leading to increased shedding, thinning and changes in hair density,” says Dr. Hartman. “Stress can have a similar effect, triggering temporary shedding several months after a significant physical or emotional stressor. Lifestyle and environmental factors—including poor nutrition, lack of sleep, heat styling, chemical treatments and UV exposure—can also impact both scalp and hair health. Because the scalp is an extension of the skin, maintaining a healthy scalp environment is an important part of supporting healthy-looking hair.”
What kind of hair concerns are you hearing from your patients on GLP-1s?
“The most common concern I hear from patients on GLP-1s is increased hair shedding or thinning,” says Dr. Hartman. “In many cases, this is related to the rapid weight loss and nutritional changes that can accompany these medications rather than the medication itself. Hair follicles are sensitive to changes in the body, so significant weight loss can temporarily disrupt the hair growth cycle. I encourage patients to focus on adequate nutrition, protein intake and scalp health, and to consult a dermatologist if shedding persists.”
How can HydraScalp with Keravive help?
“One of the biggest things HydraScalp helps address is buildup and congestion on the scalp, which can contribute to irritation, inflammation, itching and imbalance over time,” Dr. Hartman says. “When dead skin cells, oil and debris accumulate, it can compromise the overall scalp environment and even interfere with how effectively products penetrate. What I like about HydraScalp is that it offers a professional level of exfoliation and cleansing that’s difficult to replicate at home. The treatment deeply cleanses and resets the scalp in a noninvasive way while also helping create a healthier foundation for ongoing scalp maintenance and hair health.”
Dr. Hartman says HydraScalp also fills an important gap between basic hair washing and more intensive procedures like PRP or microneedling. “For patients who want a more approachable, low-commitment way to proactively support scalp health without downtime or needles, HydraScalp is a really great option,” he explains. “Patients can expect a treatment experience that focuses on cleansing, exfoliation, hydration and overall scalp wellness. It’s appropriate for a wide range of people, whether they’re experiencing dryness, oiliness, buildup, shedding or simply looking to support healthier hair over time.”
Do you need more than one treatment?
“Like skin care, scalp health is really about consistency and maintenance,” Dr. Hartman says. “One treatment can absolutely help reset the scalp and improve overall scalp condition, but professional scalp care works best when it’s part of an ongoing routine. I often explain to patients that treatments like HydraScalp help establish a healthier baseline for the scalp, which you then maintain between appointments with good at-home care. Even patients who aren’t actively experiencing hair concerns can benefit from incorporating scalp treatments preventively as part of their long-term hair and scalp wellness routine.”
What does the clinical testing show?
According to Hydrafacial clinical testing, after one treatment, the scalp is six times more hydrated and there’s a visible reduction in dryness and flaking. After three treatments over three months, 82 percent of participants said their hair looked healthier and shinier. And lastly, after two treatments over the course of eight weeks (when done in combination with daily use of the take-home peptide complex spray), 75 percent of participants saw improved hair fullness.
