Were the claims you saw correct?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ah, good question. Unfortunately, most microbiome-friendly claims are put out for the sake of marketing and not science. Currently, there\u2019s no one really controlling what these companies can and cannot claim. I mean there are a handful of companies, including large ones, that do research the microbiome, but still the products that they put out on the market are not necessarily microbiome-friendly. Especially if you look at probiotics and prebiotics within the cosmetics sector. It\u2019s mostly marketing rather than verified by science. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are a few everyday products that we use that contain substances that can potentially harm the microbiome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A lot of creams and body lotions that you buy right off the shelf have a shelf life of over a year or more because of preservatives. So, the product is made to have a long shelf life sans-bacteria growth, but the antimicrobial activity in those products is also killing the bacteria and fungi on your skin. On top of that, surfactants, fragrances and also essential oils can be detrimental to your microbes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the difference between the microbiome on one\u2019s face, body, and scalp?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019re all completely different ecosystems. They can vary from your face, back, upper legs, inside your mouth, and so on. They all contain a specific colonization of key microbial species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What kind of effects could poor microbiome scalp health have on your hair?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a lot of diversity when it comes to the fungi that lives on your scalp and it\u2019s all about keeping the levels of those fungi balanced. If a certain kind of fungus grows too much, even one that\u2019s deemed to be good, it could have harmful effects, like dry or oily skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you detail the testing process that determined our scalp mask to be microbiome-friendly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes, so in order to certify the Prose scalp mask as microbiome-friendly, we tested the effect it had on specific kinds of microbes. Since the mask is scalp-specific we tested it on bacteria and fungi that pertains to that area of skin. We wanted to see how the product would affect their growth. In the past we\u2019ve tested scalp products, like certain shampoos, that have turned out to be way too harsh and actually kill off all the microbes, good and bad, on the scalp. We want to stay far away from that. However, if a product has a slight effect on bacteria growth due to the active ingredients it contains, that\u2019s fine. In order for a product to fully work, some shift in growth is alright. That\u2019s exactly what we found with the Prose scalp mask\u2014it had a slight influence on the bacteria\u2019s growth, but not too much. It\u2019s all about striking a balance to keep the microbiome alive and healthy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prose scalp mask is customized to each individual. Why is personalization important when it comes to the health and balance of one\u2019s microbiome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Everyone\u2019s microbiome is different and has various complexities, that\u2019s why personalization is key. However, I will note that the deeper into the layers of skin that you go, the more commonalities you will see from person to person via their microbiome. We all share a common set of bacteria that is apparent when you look deep into the layers of skin, but, when looking at the top layers of skin that are impacted directly by external factors, the difference from microbiome to microbiome becomes clear.\u00a0<\/p>
Environmental factors, such as pollution and weather, can directly affect the microbiome and change its makeup. For example, if one person rides the subway to work and touches a railing in the station and another person rides their bike to work and doesn\u2019t come in contact with that railing, the bacteria that these two people have touched is different and therefore the makeup of their microbiome is different. A person’s genes also influence the microbial composition on one’s body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ensure your microbiome gets the personalized attention it deserves (and needs) with the Prose scalp mask. It\u2019ll help you strike the perfect balance every time. <\/p>\n\n
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