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32 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 7 Issue 1 THE INGREDIENT It can also be especially helpful for clients who notice their scalp becoming more sensitive with age (hello, perimenopause). Just like facial skin, the scalp can become more reactive over time. Supporting it early makes a difference. In the salon, formulas don't need sky-high percentages of niacinamide to elicit results. Formulas in the 2–5 percent range are typically effective. More is not always better. What matters most is a well-balanced formula. You can work niacinamide into your services through leave-in scalp serums, calming treatments aer color, or barrier-support steps before shampooing. It's an easy addition that can elevate a service without complicating it. And of course, as with any active ingredient, patch testing and professional judgment still matter. A RELIABLE FOUNDATION FOR SCALP HEALTH My recent reaction was a humbling reminder that the scalp is skin; it deserves the same care and respect we give the face. When the barrier is thrown off, the scalp lets you know quickly. It itches. It overproduces oil. It feels uncomfortable. When the barrier is supported, everything settles and balance comes back. Niacinamide gives us a thoughtful, science-backed way to do that. It helps strengthen the barrier, calm irritation, balance oil production, and support the skin's natural repair systems. For stylists and scalp-focused professionals, adding niacinamide to your services or carrying retail products with niacinamide is a great way to reinforce the foundation. When the scalp is supported at a biological level, it creates an environment where healthy hair has the best chance to grow, shine, and thrive. Resources Aydin, F. "Niacinamide Improves Scalp Health and Hair Growth." Hair erapy & Transplantation 13, no. 3 (September 2023): 225. longdom.org/ open-access/niacinamide-improves-scalp- health-and-hair-growth-104546.html. Davis, M. G., et al. "A Novel Cosmetic Approach to Treat inning Hair." e British Journal of Dermatology 165, sup. 3 (December 2011): 24–30. doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10633.x. Kapoor, K., et al. "Exploring Niacinamide as a Multifunctional Agent for Skin Health and Rejuvenation." Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 27 (October 2025). doi.org/10.2174/0113892010402025250922222646. Marques, C., et al. "Mechanistic Insights into the Multiple Functions of Niacinamide: erapeutic Implications and Cosmeceutical Applications in Functional Skincare Products." Antioxidants 13, no. 4 (March 2024): 425. doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040425. Ong, R. R., and C. F. Goh. "Niacinamide: A Review on Dermal Delivery Strategies and Clinical Evidence." Drug Delivery and Translational Research 14, no. 12 (December 2024): 3512–48. doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01593-y. GETTY IMAGES