I want to remind everyone that this is a SAFE SPACE. 🤎 I share moments like this for awareness, education, and to hopefully help my clients get one step closer to their hair goals. As a licensed cosmetologist, I’m exposed to so many different scalp and hair concerns. And sometimes, I simply don’t have the answer. When something is outside of my scope, I believe the most responsible thing I can do is REFER OUT. But I also believe in bringing awareness to what I see, because you never know who may come across a post like this and realize, “Wait… I’ve been experiencing something similar.” My client has been dealing with dermatitis for YEARS, but she feels like her scalp has progressively gotten worse. She washes her hair 2–3 times a week and has been using an antiseptic on her scalp 2–3 times a week because she feels that it helps remove the buildup and manage what she sees on her scalp. She also takes a more holistic approach, using gentler shampoos and aloe vera to help soothe her scalp. She saw a dermatologist about 9 years ago, but she hasn’t returned since because she didn’t feel like she received the answers or relief she was looking for. She trusted me enough to allow me to take a closer look. And honestly, this is exactly why I believe in getting multiple professionals involved when necessary. From a cosmetology perspective, I see more than just “dry scalp” or “flakes.” I see layers to what may be happening, and I don’t want to assume that everything we’re seeing is simply her dermatitis. My recommendations right now are: • Follow up with a dermatologist • Consider seeing a trichologist • Discuss allergy/patch testing with her healthcare provider • Reevaluate her current scalp routine • Reduce the frequency of antiseptic use rather than continuing it 2–3 times a week • Focus on gentle scalp care while we work toward understanding the underlying issue I’m NOT diagnosing her. I’m observing, documenting, asking questions, and referring when something falls outside of my scope. And this is where I’d love to hear from the professionals. 👇🏽 Dermatologists, trichologists, and cosmetologists: Have you seen a scalp presentation like this before? What would you recommend someone consider when creating an at-home routine for a client experiencing something similar? Is there anything you notice that you think should be evaluated further? Please keep the conversation educational and respectful. This is a REAL client, a REAL experience, and ultimately, the goal is to help her feel more confident and comfortable with her hair and scalp again. Sometimes getting closer to the answer starts with simply being willing to ask more questions. 🤎 #ScalpHealth #HairHealth #HealthyScalp #Dermatitis #Trichology - @rea_recreations