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Hair Care FAQs Questions our customers ask and our clear honest guidance Download The Hair Porosity Guide True to Life Hair Care FAQs

Hair Care FAQs | Personalised Hair & Scalp Routines

Answers to Hair Care FAQs about personalised hair care, scalp health, routines, treatments, and changing hair needs over time.

Welcome to our Hair Care FAQs, where we answer common questions about hair loss, thinning, menopause-related hair changes, scalp conditions, chemical treatments, and personalised hair care.

Hair can change over time due to hormones, stress, treatments like Brazilian blowouts or colour, and shifts in scalp health. These FAQs explain why those changes happen and how to care for your hair gently and effectively, using personalised, plant-based formulations.

At True to Life, we focus on understanding your hair’s current needs — not trends or one-size-fits-all solutions. If you need more tailored guidance, our hair assessment helps us recommend a routine based on your unique hair and scalp profile.

Menopause & Hormonal Hair Changes FAQs

Yes. Menopause can affect hair growth, moisture retention, and texture due to hormonal changes.

Our personalised approach allows us to adapt your routine to focus on gentler cleansing, improved moisture and flexibility, scalp support for healthier hair growth, and lightweight conditioning for finer hair.

Hormonal changes during menopause can reduce natural oil production and affect the hair’s ability to retain moisture. This often leads to hair that feels drier, more fragile, and prone to breakage. Supporting moisture balance and flexibility becomes especially important during this stage.

Yes. Many women experience increased shedding or thinning during menopause.

This doesn’t necessarily mean permanent hair loss. In many cases, it’s linked to changes in the hair growth cycle and can improve with proper scalp care, gentle routines, and reduced breakage.

Yes. Hair texture changes are very common during menopause.

Hair may become finer or coarser, more frizzy, or less elastic. This is why a routine that worked for years may no longer feel right — and why reassessing hair needs is important.

Scalp Conditions & Sensitivity FAQs

Although they may look similar, these conditions have different causes.

  • Dry scalp is caused by lack of moisture.
  • Dandruff is often linked to oil imbalance or yeast activity.
  • Eczema is inflammatory and barrier-related.
  • Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition.

Using products that aren’t suited to the specific condition can worsen symptoms, which is why identifying the difference matters.

Yes. Many of our customers have sensitive or reactive scalps.

We can customise products to reduce irritation, minimise or remove fragrance, avoid stimulating ingredients, and support the scalp barrier. If you have a known sensitivity or condition, it’s important to note this in the hair assessment.

Yes. Our products are designed as supportive cosmetic care, not medical treatment. Doctors have approved our specialised scalp condition add-ons for customers before.

They can be used alongside doctor-prescribed treatments, and we will share the ingredients with you to check with your doctor. Our focus is gentle cleansing and scalp comfort rather than medicated actives.

Not always.

While scalp oils can be helpful for some concerns, they are not suitable for every scalp condition. Inflamed or autoimmune-related conditions may react poorly to oils, especially fragranced or stimulating ones. We assess this on a case-by-case basis and may recommend avoiding scalp oils altogether.

In this case when you provide a comment on their hair assessment or reaches out to us, we will formulate a specialised scalp condition add-on for your shampoo.

Yes. Fragrance — especially essential oils — can irritate sensitive or compromised scalps.

For this reason, we offer fragrance-free options as well as very gentle hydrosol-based scent options. Many sensitive scalp customers do best with minimal or no fragrance.

If you are under medical care for scalp psoriasis, your doctor’s guidance should always come first.

True to Life products are not a treatment for psoriasis. However, if approved by your doctor, we can customise a very gentle, supportive shampoo designed to be used alongside prescribed treatment.

This type of customisation focuses on:

  • calming scalp discomfort and redness

  • supporting the scalp’s natural barrier

  • helping loosen flakes gently without scrubbing or stripping

  • avoiding potential irritants

In these cases, we typically:

  • exclude essential oils

  • keep fragrance minimal or fragrance-free

  • use alcohol-free, soothing ingredients only

Because every scalp reacts differently, we always recommend:

  • confirming with your healthcare provider first

  • monitoring how your scalp responds

  • discontinuing use if irritation occurs

If you’re unsure whether a supportive option is suitable for you, we’re happy to discuss your situation before proceeding with an order.

If you have an eczema-prone scalp, your skin barrier is often more reactive and easily irritated. While True to Life products do not treat eczema, we can customise a gentle, supportive scalp bolt-on that may be used alongside appropriate medical care.

For eczema-prone scalps, we adjust formulations to focus on:

  • calming irritation and redness

  • supporting the scalp’s natural barrier

  • balancing oil production gently

  • avoiding harsh or overly stimulating ingredients

A typical eczema-supportive scalp bolt-on may include carefully selected, low-irritation ingredients such as:

  • alcohol-free witch hazel (for gentle balancing)

  • green tea extract (to calm inflammation)

  • chamomile hydrosol (to soothe sensitivity)

  • mild exfoliating support where appropriate

  • fragrance kept minimal and very carefully controlled

We also recommend leaving the shampoo on the scalp for 2–3 minutes after massaging, allowing the supportive ingredients time to work gently before rinsing.

Because eczema can vary greatly from person to person, we always advise:

  • monitoring how your scalp responds

  • stopping use if irritation occurs

  • consulting a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen

Our goal is to support scalp comfort, not replace medical treatment.

Chemical Treatments & Product Safety FAQs

Yes. Our shampoos and conditioners are formulated to be gentle and compatible with Brazilian blowouts, keratin treatments, and G-Treatments. We avoid harsh cleansing agents that can strip treatments prematurely and instead focus on maintaining moisture, flexibility, and scalp balance.

Because treated hair often needs different care over time, we personalise formulas based on your treatment history and current hair condition.

No. Our products do not contain sulfates or added sodium chloride (salt).

This makes them suitable for chemically treated hair, Brazilian and keratin treatments, and sensitive or dry scalps. We use gentle, plant-based cleansers designed to cleanse effectively without leaving hair squeaky, dry, or brittle.

In many cases, yes — or at least use protein very sparingly.

Brazilian and keratin treatments already deposit keratin-like compounds onto the hair. Adding too much additional protein can make hair feel stiff, dry, brittle, or coated. For this reason, we usually prioritise moisture, flexibility, and lightweight conditioning unless there are clear signs of protein deficiency.

Yes. Chemical treatments can temporarily or permanently alter hair porosity.

For example, Brazilian and keratin treatments can initially make hair act like low porosity hair, but over time it can behave as medium or high porosity. Over time, heat and chemical exposure can lead to medium or high porosity characteristics. This is why hair routines often need adjusting after treatments.

This is very common. While Brazilian treatments smooth the hair initially, they can reduce natural moisture retention over time and increase stiffness if protein builds up.

When this happens, hair usually needs more hydration and flexibility — not stronger cleansing or more protein. A personalised routine helps restore balance.

Hair Loss, Thinning & Shedding FAQs

Hair shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. It’s common to shed between 50–100 hairs per day as older hairs naturally fall out to make room for new growth. Sometimes stress also adds to excessive shedding, but this hair can grow back with the right scalp oil support.

Hair loss, on the other hand, occurs when hair does not regrow at the same rate it sheds, leading to visible thinning over time. Shedding is often temporary, while hair loss may require longer-term support depending on the cause.

Yes. Physical or emotional stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and trigger a type of temporary shedding known as telogen effluvium.

This type of shedding usually appears a few months after a stressful event and often improves once stress levels stabilise. Gentle hair care, scalp support from our #2 Scalp Oil, and reducing breakage can help while the hair cycle normalises.

Personalised hair care can support hair thinning by focusing on:

  • gentle cleansing that doesn’t stress fragile hair

  • reducing breakage along the hair shaft

  • supporting scalp health for better hair growth conditions

While hair care cannot change genetic or hormonal causes, the right routine can help hair feel fuller, healthier, and more resilient over time.

This depends on the concern.

  • Improvements in softness, manageability, and scalp comfort can often be felt within a few weeks

  • Reduced breakage and better moisture balance may take 4–8 weeks

  • Changes related to hair growth or shedding usually take several months, as hair grows slowly

Consistency is key, and routines often need adjusting as hair changes.

Hair Texture, Porosity & Frizz FAQs

Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture. It affects how your hair responds to products, water, oils, and treatments.

Understanding porosity helps determine:

  • how much moisture your hair needs

  • which ingredients work best

  • why some products feel heavy or ineffective

It’s one of the most important factors in choosing the right routine.

Yes. Hair porosity can change due to:

  • chemical treatments

  • heat styling

  • environmental exposure

  • ageing and hormonal changes

This is why a routine that once worked well may stop feeling effective over time.

This often happens when the conditioner doesn’t match your hair’s porosity or moisture needs.

Hair may feel dry if:

  • moisture can’t penetrate the hair shaft

  • products sit on the surface without absorbing

  • hair has internal damage that affects moisture retention

In these cases, adjusting the type and balance of conditioning ingredients can make a big difference.

This is a very common concern.

It usually means the scalp is producing oil while the lengths of the hair are dehydrated. This can happen with:

  • over-cleansing

  • using products that are too heavy at the roots

  • mismatched porosity care

A balanced routine that supports both scalp and hair lengths separately is often the solution.

Frizz occurs when hair lacks moisture or has raised cuticles, allowing humidity to enter the hair shaft.

Common contributors include:

  • dryness or damage

  • high porosity

  • humidity

  • friction from brushing or towel-drying

Reducing frizz usually involves improving moisture balance, smoothing the cuticle, and choosing products suited to your hair’s porosity and texture.

Ingredients & Formulation FAQs

“Salt-free” means that a product does not contain added sodium chloride, which is often used as a thickener in shampoos.

Salt can be drying and may shorten the lifespan of chemical treatments like Brazilian blowouts or keratin treatments. Using salt-free products like True to Life helps maintain moisture balance and is generally gentler on both hair and scalp.

Essential oils can be beneficial for some people, but they are not suitable for everyone.

Sensitive, reactive, or inflamed scalps may react poorly to essential oils, even natural ones. This is why we customise fragrance levels, offer hydrosol-based options, and provide fragrance-free formulations where needed.

Our products are plant-based and formulated with naturally derived ingredients where possible.

We focus on ingredient performance, scalp compatibility, and hair health rather than following trends. Each formula is designed to be effective, gentle, and suitable for long-term use.

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We offer a range of fragrance options, including:

  • fragrance-free

  • gentle hydrosol-based scents

  • low-level essential oil blends (when suitable) added for specific scalp conditions that also adds fragrance to our shampoos.

Fragrance is always optional and adjusted based on scalp sensitivity and personal preference when a customer makes us aware of an allergy or provides feedback to us via the hair assessment.

Our water-based products require effective preservation to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mould and to ensure product safety throughout use.

Sodium benzoate is approved for use under the COSMOS standard and widely accepted in ECOCERT-compliant natural formulations when used within regulated limits. It is commonly derived from naturally occurring substances and is considered suitable for natural and plant-based cosmetic products.

We use preservatives only where necessary, at low, regulated concentrations, to protect both product integrity and scalp health. Without proper preservation, even natural formulations can quickly become unsafe.

Ingredient preferences are personal, and we respect that our products may not be the right fit for everyone.

Yes. Our formulations are designed to perform well in hard, mineral-rich, and groundwater conditions.

We include sodium gluconate, a mild chelating agent, which helps bind excess minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and salt residues) commonly found in hard or ground water. This reduces mineral buildup on the hair and scalp, helping to prevent dryness, dullness, and stiffness.

Mineral-rich and salty ground water leaves deposits on the hair shaft, making hair feel hard, dry, and dull. When combined with hair colour, these minerals can react with pigments and cause unwanted green or brassy tones. Using chelating ingredients and proper conditioning helps prevent buildup and restore softness.

Yes. Our products are designed for all hair types and textures.

We do not formulate based on race or ethnicity. Instead, we personalise formulations based on hair and scalp needs such as:

  • Curl pattern (straight, wavy, curly, coily)

  • Hair porosity

  • Scalp condition

  • Dryness, breakage, or damage

  • Environmental factors (hard water, coastal climate, heat styling)

This approach ensures the products work effectively across a wide range of hair types, including natural, relaxed, coloured, and protective-style hair.

Routine & Product Use FAQs

There’s no single rule that works for everyone.

How often you wash your hair depends on your scalp type, hair texture, lifestyle, and environment. We recommend washing twice a week, but others may need more frequent cleansing. The goal is a clean, comfortable scalp without over-stripping the hair. Do not wash your hair everyday! Rather rinse with just water and using a shampoo everyday and apply a conditioner after the water rinse is moisture is required for your hair.

In most cases, conditioner should be applied from mid-lengths to ends only.

Applying conditioner directly to the scalp can sometimes cause buildup or weigh hair down, especially on finer hair. Exceptions may apply for very dry or specific scalp routines, which is why we personalise guidance.

If you are struggling with frizz close to your crown you do need to apply conditioner on those hairs to moisturise and reduce frizz. Try and avoid the scalp, but cover the hair that frizz.

We do not recommend using only a shampoo. Shampoo’s function is to clean your hair, and due to the surfactant present in shampoos, even the moisturising ingredients’ effectiveness will be reduced.

Conditioner helps restore moisture, smooth the cuticle, reduce tangles, and protect hair from breakage. Skipping conditioner can make hair feel drier or harder to manage over time.

Using more product does not always lead to better results.

A small amount of shampoo focused on the scalp and a moderate amount of conditioner on the lengths is usually sufficient. The exact amount depends on hair length, density, and texture, and may take a few washes to fine-tune.

Our shampoos and conditioners are packed with emollients and quality ingredients. Start with less and add more if needed. 

True to Life’s shampoos do foam less due to gentler surfactants and no bulking or chemical ingredients added. This does not mean it does not clean your hair, but rather aim to not strip all the oils from your hair. 

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