Seaweed – The Next Big Thing in Haircare?

The benefits of seaweed as a ‘superfood’ have long been known; as well as being delicious, it’s a rich source of iodine – which helps the thyroid to function – and essential vitamins A, C and E, as well as prebiotics to promote a healthy gut microbiome. But beyond your wakame salad or kimbap, it’s now made its way onto the ingredients list of your haircare.

Why? Turns out those vitamins, fatty acids, enzymes and essential minerals may also help in ‘feeding’ your scalp, in turn boosting hair’s shine and strength, as well as supporting growth.

With the relaunch of Bumble and bumble’s reformulated Seaweed collection, The MECCA Memo turned to Laura Curtis, MECCA’s Fragrance, Hair & Body Education Manager (and a member of our Beauty Board), to find out how to incorporate seaweed into our haircare routines.

It’s all down to the scalp. Explains Curtis, “Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp! It is the ‘production centre’ for hair, which exists as its own microenvironment on the body. “Each of our strands grows from an individual hair follicle, and the quality of these follicles is dependent on the health of our scalp. A healthy scalp leads to less breakage and hair loss, and stronger, shinier hair.”

Adds the expert, “The scalp is an extension of our skin and requires the same level of care as the skin on the rest of our faces and bodies. Build-up of sebum, dead skin cells and dandruff can block the follicles and hinder hair growth.”

If you look at the nutrients present in certain types of seaweed, you may recognise them from your skincare – for example, vitamin A (aka retinol), omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. So, think of seaweed haircare as ‘skincare for your scalp’; as you would your complexion, you want to keep it clean, hydrated, moisturised and balanced.

Says Curtis, “Although many factors influence hair health and growth, including geographical location, genetics and nutrition, using the right scalp care products can positively impact the long-term health of our hair to promote nourished, resilient strands that will ultimately lead to healthy hair growth.”

In addition, the omega-3 fatty acids in seaweed can assist in giving hair a glossy sheen, while reducing dryness and frizz.

If you’re new to seaweed haircare, try Bumble and bumble’s four-step approach. Says Curtis, “A cycle of healthy hair growth relies on the scalp having enough moisture and stimulation. For best results, we recommend washing hair every two to three days with the Seaweed Shampoo and Conditioner.

“On a weekly basis, pre-shampoo using the Seaweed Whipped Scalp Scrub to gently purify the scalp, followed by the  Seaweed Conditioner. Make sure to take your time massaging the scrub in! The final step is the Seaweed Air Dry Cream, which can be massaged through the scalp and throughout damp hair for perfect air-drying, all-day hydration and soft hold.”

AVEDA’s scalp care collections – including the Pramasana™ Purifying Scalp Cleanser, Protective Scalp Concentrate and Nourishing Scalp Masque and Invati Advanced™ Scalp Revitalizer – feature a variety of different seaweed extracts, combined with other plant extracts, oils and ferments to nourish and balance.

Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Super Moisture Conditioner combines sugar kelp extract with argan oil, aloe vera leaf juice and shea butter to help strengthen hair, while Oribe’s Power Drops Damage Repair Booster combines giant sea kelp extract with 2 percent linoleic acid – aka omega-6 – for a mega dose of softness and shine (ideal for dry or bleach-damaged hair). And for a leave-in conditioner or rinse-out treatment, IGK’s Expensive Amla Oil Hi-Shine Topcoat blends algae extract and giant sea kelp with moisturising sunflower oil and aloe leaf juice for a super smooth, shiny finish.