I like to think I'm especially conscientious about my scalp. I double cleanse, utilize a scalp massager every time I shampoo, and use cleansing and detox oils specifically for my scalp once a week. So when my dermatologist prescribed me a medicated shampoo (unprovoked) after my yearly check-up, I conceded and accepted that an itchy and flaking scalp was forever my fate. God gives her toughest battles to her strongest soldiers.
But then enter the Hydrafacial Keravive—a facial for your scalp. This 3-step, in-office scalp treatment left me feeling so fresh and so clean. The cousin of the popular hydradermabrasion treatment—the Hydrafacial, the Hydrafacial Keravive brings that same luxury to your scalp.
I sat down with medical aesthetician Brittany Blancato, to get the details on everything you need to know about this scalp-changing treatment.
About the Expert:
Brittany Blancato—A celebrity aesthetician at the New York City practice of board-certified facial plastic surgeon Yael Halaas, MD.
What Is a Keravive Scalp Treatment?
In short, the Hydrafacial Keravive is a 3-step treatment that cleanses your scalp and improves the hair follicle for healthier hair. "We cleanse and exfoliate the scalp, and then we slowly infuse two vials of the Keravive complex into the scalp with a ‘kiss and twist’ technique for perfect puckering of the scalp and saturation," explained Blancato.
After exfoliating my scalp to the gods, extracting dirt, oil, and buildup from my pores, my technician infused my scalp with a peptide—Hydrafacial’s proprietary blend of growth factors and proteins. The peptide is especially great for those who have experienced hair loss, flakiness, dryness, or poor scalp circulation and want to rebuild the health of their hair follicles.
"Lastly, we finish off with a 5-minute stimulating scalp massage to get the micro-circulation moving. An extra add-on step to finish can also be the LightStim LED Red light therapy. This is a dome light that we can place over the scalp for about 15-20 minutes. This promotes healing and reduces any inflammation that may be hindering the hair deficiencies."
Benefits of the Keravive Scalp Treatment
The benefits of the Hydrafacial Keravive are plentiful, and as many of us don't thoroughly cleanse our scalps, most people will immediately see the pay off. "It cleanses and exfoliates, hydrates and nourishes, extends and enhances your scalp health. Keravive is a one-of-a-kind scalp treatment," says Blancato.
I found the exfoliating very satisfying. Rarely can I cleanse my scalp that deeply, and with the removal of buildup, oils can distribute evenly, I have a healthier scalp, and I can achieve fuller-looking hair. It’s an exceptional treatment for those with thinning hair and can help with hair fullness and restoration. "I see a change in the density and the growth on my patient's scalp when we do a series of Keravive treatments," Blancato shares. "Hydrafacial’s proprietary Vortex Technology easily dislodges and removes impurities from the scalp and hair follicle. The Keravive Peptide Complex Solution delivers a hyper-concentrated blend of biomimetic growth factors and skin proteins that hydrate and nourish the scalp."
What to Know Before Getting the Treatment
The treatment is gentle and non-invasive, and there’s no downtime, so no big prep is needed beforehand. Even though it is a scalp treatment, I was apprehensive if it would be just as beneficial for me and my curly hair—would I get the same benefits? The answer is yes. This treatment is for everyone with all hair types, and it’s especially great for those who are wearing protective hairstyles.
"Everyone is a good candidate! Who couldn’t benefit from a healthy scalp? For preventative or signs of hair loss, this is a great way to spoil your scalp! The only thing I would say is for those with a more complicated medical health history, you may want to check with your primary doctor before starting your treatments," says Blancato.
Although this treatment is great for everyone, you can always schedule a consultation to ensure it's the right fit for you. “Consultations are a great way for your provider to get familiar with your hair history and goals. This is the best way to get started with a treatment plan. Patients should plan to do a minimum series of three Keravive treatments—recommended one treatment every four weeks.”
The treatment takes around an hour and costs between $500 and $700, depending on your provider.
My Keravive Scalp Treatment Experience
I received my treatment at a local skincare boutique called Dazzle Me Skin in Highland Park. The owner was born and raised in the neighborhood and saw a need for more skincare services in east Los Angeles. Jacqui was my provider and was friendly and communicative every step of the way.
My dry scalp and I arrived with unbrushed hair and Starface stickers on my face from the zits I got from traveling earlier in the week. Jacqui managed to still make me feel pretty and special—so, bonus points. We started the appointment by reviewing what to expect and then jumped into the exfoliating portion of the treatment. A little vacuum device sucked and twisted along my scalp and hairline for about 20 minutes. She stimulated each section of my scalp until the skin was a healthy pink color. Some areas had more buildup than others, so she did two passes over those areas.
After the exfoliation, my scalp felt light, airy, and über clean. Then, two vials of the Keravive solution, which is their proprietary peptide, were infused into my scalp. Jacqui stamped it in, using a back-and-forth twisting motion, which deeply penetrated my pores. After that, she massaged in the solution for five additional minutes. At the end, she placed a red light dome over my head, and I sat under it for 15 minutes—sooo relaxing. The red light is a great extra step for encouraging hair growth.
The end is the most satisfying, though. Jacqui pulled out a vial of "gunk" extracted from my scalp, and if I didn't genuinely love the service already, I would have committed to getting it again purely for this reason. About a half-cup of murky, lake-looking water sloshed around in a tube with too many dead skin cells—I vowed I'd never let my scalp get that dirty again.
I was sent home with a peptide complex spray and instructed to use it nightly until the bottle runs out (about 45 days). The take-home spray has vitamin B5, antioxidants, and arginine, an amino acid known as the building block of collagen. Since my treatment, my scalp has felt light, clean, and the healthiest it's been in a while.
I guess I can toss out the prescription dandruff shampoo.
