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40 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 5 Issue 1 with issues like dryness, oiliness, dandruff, or sensitivity, can lead to hair problems such as hair loss, breakage, and lackluster hair." Consumers are interested in scalp health and the demand is undeniable. According to a report compiled by Grand View Research, the global hair and scalp market was valued at $80.21 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 percent from 2021 to 2028. e report also notes that "growing concerns among consumers and the availability of new, more effective, and safer hair care products have led to a significant increase in the use of these products, which, in turn, boosted the market growth." 1 e uptick in scalp care could also be attributed to the rising cases of alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss. Many dermatologists believe more patients are coming in for hair loss consultations, especially due to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Some [forms of alopecia] have undoubtedly increased their incidence, such as frontal fibrosing alopecia," write researchers in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology. "In other forms of alopecia, it remains to be clarified whether we are experiencing a real increase in incidence or whether patients are consulting more when they learn that new therapies are available." 2 Trichology, a branch of dermatology that studies the hair and scalp, is also experiencing a rise in research, teaching, and the number of patients being consulted. e number of scientific publications related to trichology has almost doubled in the last decade. 3 THE LINK BETWEEN SCALP CARE AND HAIR CARE ere's no denying the role that the scalp plays in hair health. "e scalp is the soil from which your hair grows," Emtage says. "Just as plants need healthy soil to thrive, hair needs a healthy scalp for optimal growth and condition. Proper scalp care ensures the hair follicles are clean, unclogged, and well-nourished, promoting healthy hair growth." By addressing scalp issues, you can help your clients avoid thinning, breakage, and hair loss. Because hair follicles exist within the skin of the scalp, the link between the scalp and the hair is inextricable. Outside the body, "the skin and hair are obviously distinct and independent entities," write the authors of an article published in the International Study of Cosmetic Science. But the parts of hair and skin inside the body "have a much more intimate and inseparable relationship. e skin and hair are part of a complex, interdependent system collectively called the integument (including nails, sebaceous and sweat glands, among other components)." 4 Hair fibers grow inside the hair follicle in the scalp. But the structure that houses the hair follicle and hair fiber is complex, so it can be hard to discern hair from skin. Given this unique relationship, it stands to reason that treating the scalp would have multiple benefits for the hair. Healthy hair growth (as well as reduced hair loss) is one of the more obvious benefits. "By fostering a healthy scalp environment, these treatments can promote healthier, faster hair growth," Emtage says. She adds that treatments addressing scalp