A woman’s relationship with her hair is often a tumultuous love affair. She’s satisfied, unsatisfied, fulfilled, unfulfilled…she breaks it off (pixie cut, anyone?), tries to change her lover (highlights, perms, flat irons) and sometimes only finds relationship bliss with the help of a good therapist (mine is Lina Arrojo of Arrojo Studios). With Spring in the air, I thought now would be an ideal time to tackle the issue of thinning hair.

A Love/Hate Relationship with My Hair!

I’ve often loved (thank you, Lina) and occasionally hated (thank you, genetics) my hair. Then a year and a half ago, after two kids, one MBA and a very exciting entrepreneurial venture, my hair and I starting having some major relationship troubles. My hair was leaving me – for the shower drain, my hairbrush and the back of my wool coat. Anyone who’s experienced hair thinning knows what an unsettling, upsetting experience it is.

A Trip to Philip Kingsley’s Trichological Clinic

After much fretting and lamenting, I remembered that beauty is my business, and I got proactive. I visited the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in New York City. In addition to the transcendental scalp treatments I received, I also received invaluable healthy hair and scalp diet and lifestyle guidance from trichologist Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips. I never skipped a protein-rich breakfast again and stocked up on hair-healing supplements. My quest for healthy hair also led to my discovery of Phylia de M. products.

Along Came Phylia de M.

I read in beauty book after beauty book that this new, organic hair and scalp care line produced extraordinary results for those suffering from thinning hair. I could not get my hands on them quick enough! I started with Condition and Connect, adding in Re-Connect after a month or so, as directed. The short and long term results were extraordinary. Immediately, I noticed an improvement in the overall look, feel and texture of my hair. Since I would massage Connect and Re-Connect into my scalp with my fingertips, I also noticed an immediate improvement in my nails – they were less dry, less brittle and started growing like weeds. I was fairly certain this boded well for my mane.

Eyebrows, Nails and Hair – Oh My!

The first place I noticed significant hair regrowth was my eyebrows, where I also applied Connect and Re-Connect. I was genetically blessed with my mom’s big eyes, and I had full brows to match. I then proceeded to pluck my brows into oblivion in the 90s, when Kate Moss made us think we all could pull that off. Years of tweezer detox later, I still had brows that didn’t quite pass the ideal brow length pencil test. It took a few months, but after diligent daily application of Connect and Re-Connect, my brows started to go all the way…to the end of my big eyes.

At Last…New Baby Hair

Now, this was all very exciting stuff, but I purchased these products to treat the hair on my head. Though I saw a significant improvement in the overall health of my hair rather quickly, regrowth on my scalp was harder to gauge. I kept spraying and praying though, and sure enough, I started to see new little hairs sprouting about 2 months in. Elizabeth at Philip Kingsley had taught me how to distinguish new hair growth from broken hairs: new hairs would be tapered at the end, broken strands would not. A subtle distinction though this was, it became very clear upon close inspection: I knew these little hairs were newbies. These baby hairs are still there today…and have grown long enough so as to not stick straight up when I part my hair. Progress!

The Science Behind the Products

Phylia de M.’s science defines scalp & hair care as an integral part of optimum total health. The brand’s proprietary formula restores the body’s inherent ability to grow its best hair and help activate and maintain hair’s vital role in maintaining overall well being. In other words, Phylia is focused on getting to the root of the problem. Hair is a barometer of one’s health; internal disease and dysfunction are reflected in the condition of the scalp and hair. Whether we are conscious of it, (and whether it’s fair or not) we certainly cast aspersions on someone with thinning, greasy, stringy and/or fried hair, no?

By: Claire McCormack

In Part One of my ode to Phylia de M., I gushed about how effectively the products did what they said they would do – namely providing a potent and powerful remedy for hair loss, slow growth, thinning, limp or lifelessness and chemical treatment damage. But the results went way beyond that; these products caused another unexpected, though very, VERY much welcome, result.

Sebaceous Cysts on the Scalp

Since my teen years I had been getting sebaceous cysts on my scalp; a hereditary condition. These cysts would literally sprout up anywhere on my scalp, with no rhyme or reason. Though they were mostly painless, they could – and did – become inflamed and/or infected, which was rather unpleasant. I went to countless doctors to find out how I could prevent these cysts from forming, and was told time and again that there was no help to be had. One doctor recommended I go on Accutane. I was apprehensive since Accutane is such a harsh drug with serious side effects, but if it meant no more cysts, I was game. When I went to get a second and third opinion on this course of therapy, however, it was vehemently shot down by other doctors. I was partly relieved…but mostly frustrated.

In Treatment

With no preventative measure available, the only “treatment” was excision once a cyst had formed. This entailed going to my derm’s office, getting my scalp partially anesthetized, then cut open, the cyst “popped out”, then the incision stitched back up (usually 3-4 stitches per cyst). The surgery site throbbed like the dickens for at least 24 hours, and was very tender for a week. For the 2 weeks I had the stitches in, shampooing, conditioning, brushing or in any way touching my head or hair was something to be done with extreme caution, lest I experience extreme pain. Two weeks later, I had to go back to my derm to get the stitches removed. The process itself was quick, but like all highly sought after NYC dermatologists, the wait was 30-45 minutes for this 5 minute visit. Also, not being a hair stylist, my derm was not so indiscriminate with the scissors he used to cut out the stitches, he also removed some chunks of hair!

You can imagine my dismay when I looked ahead to a life of endless minor scalp surgeries…the pain, the stitches, the inconvenience. It was my only choice, however. And in a way I was glad to even have that choice: had I not had excellent health insurance, the medical expenses probably would have prevented me from getting many of the cysts removed. Over the years, these cysts had become a hopeless situation for me. I told myself there were much worse medical conditions to have and I should just get over it, but every time I sat in the shampoo chair at the salon, I would literally cringe with embarrassment at having my head touched.

Phylia de M. to the Rescue

Enter Phylia de. M Clean, Connect and ReConnect. I immediately delved more deeply into the science behind the brand.

The Science Behind the Products

Phylia de M.’s science defines scalp & hair care as an integral part of optimum total health. The brand’s proprietary formula restores the body’s inherent ability to grow its best hair and help activate and maintain hair’s vital role in maintaining overall well being. Hair is a barometer of one’s health; internal disease and dysfunction are reflected in the condition of your scalp and hair. Whether we are conscious of it, (and whether it’s fair or not) we certainly cast aspersions on someone with thinning, greasy, stringy and/or fried hair, no?

Hair Health is an Indicator of Overall Health

Though hair is considered a “nonessential” tissue, the action of growing hair is an essential mechanism for optimum health. Hair helps to draw toxins, such as heavy metals, out of the body. (There’s a Def Leppard/Poison/Motley Crue joke to be made here…) When our internal health is in balance, skin (including the scalp), hair and nails look healthy and effectively play their part in maintaining overall health. For me, using Phylia products kickstarted my hair’s ability to properly detoxify, which helped inhibit new cyst growth.

When I spoke to Phylia de M. founder, Kazu Namise, she said I wasn’t the first person to tell her that Phylia products helped cure his/her cyst issue, or cyst-ssue, if you will. She recommended that I add Phylia’s Fulphyl nutritional supplement to my personal care regimen to further support my body’s detoxification process, which of course, I did. It’s only been a week, but I am excited to see just how much better my results can get.

By Claire McCormack Twitter & Instagram: @clairemcmack

A woman’s relationship with her hair is often a tumultuous love affair. She’s satisfied, unsatisfied, fulfilled, unfulfilled…she breaks it off (pixie cut, anyone?), tries to change her lover (highlights, perms, flat irons) and sometimes only finds relationship bliss with the help of a good therapist (mine is Lina Arrojo of Arrojo Studios).

A Love/Hate Relationship with My Hair!

I’ve often loved (thank you, Lina) and occasionally hated (thank you, genetics) my hair. Then a year and a half ago, after two kids, one MBA and a very exciting entrepreneurial venture, my hair and I starting having some major relationship troubles. My hair was leaving me – for the shower drain, my hairbrush, the back of my wool coat. Anyone who’s experienced hair thinning knows what an unsettling, upsetting experience it is.

A Trip to Philip Kingsley’s Trichological Clinic

After much fretting and lamenting, I remembered that beauty is my business, and I got proactive. I visited the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in New York City. In addition to the transcendental scalp treatments I received, I also got invaluable healthy hair and scalp diet and lifestyle guidance from trichologist Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips. I never skipped a protein-rich breakfast again. I stocked up on hair-healing supplements. My quest for healthy hair also led my discovery of Phylia de M. products.

Along Came Phylia de M.

I read in beauty book after beauty book that this new, organic hair and scalp care line of products produced extraordinary results for those suffering from thinning hair. I could not get my hands on them quick enough! I started with Condition and Connect, adding in ReConnect after a month or so, as directed. The short and long term results were extraordinary. Immediately, I noticed an improvement in the overall look, feel and texture of my hair. Since I would massage Connect and ReConnect into my scalp with my fingertips, I also noticed an immediate improvement in my nails – they were less dry, less brittle and started growing like weeds. I was fairly certain this boded well for my mane.

Eyebrows, Nails and Hair – Oh My!

The first place I noticed significant hair regrowth was my eyebrows, where I also applied Connect and ReConnect. I was genetically blessed with my mom’s big eyes, and I had full brows to match. I then proceeded to pluck my brows into oblivion in the 90s when Kate Moss made us think we all could pull that off. Years of tweezer detox later, I still had brows that didn’t quite pass the ideal brow length pencil test. It took a few months, but after diligent daily application of Connect and ReConnect, my brows started to go all the way…to the end of my big eyes.

At Last…New Baby Hair

Now, this was all very exciting stuff, but I bought these products to treat my hair on my head. Though I saw a significant improvement in the overall health of my hair rather quickly, regrowth on my scalp was harder to gauge. I kept spraying and praying though, and sure enough, I started to see new little hairs sprouting about 2 months in. Elizabeth at Philip Kingsley had taught me how to distinguish new hair growth from broken hairs: new hairs would be tapered at the end, broken strands would not. A subtle distinction though this was, it became very clear upon close inspection: I knew these little hairs were newbies. These baby hairs are still there today…and have grown long enough so as to not stick straight up when I part my hair. Progress!

Within five months of starting my Phylia regimen, I knew that these products were truly exceptional – dare I say game-changing. I was so pleased with the effects Phylia had on my nails, brows and hair that it took me a few more months to realize another unexpected – yet most welcomed – benefit.

TO BE CONTINUED…

By: Claire McCormack Twitter & Instagram: @clairemcmack