Behind the Hair: Confessions of a Hair Salon Owner
What I Usually Avoid Talking About When It Comes to My Hair — But Probably Shouldn’t
This post is part of “Behind the Hair: Confessions of a Hair Salon Owner” — a series where I share personal stories, real struggles, and lessons I’ve learned as a salon owner “behind the hair.” It’s about hair, but it’s also about life.
There’s this thing called the ostrich effect. It’s a psychological tendency to avoid problems by pretending they’re not there — hoping they’ll just go away. I tend to do that with my scalp.
Aside from battling cancer, I’ve also battled dandruff and oily hair for years.
- Wash too often? My scalp gets dry and flaky.
- Wait too long? Greasy mess.
- And when I wear a black shirt? I’m checking my shoulders all day.
It might seem small — until you realize how much it affects your confidence and how distracting it is trying to stay focused without anyone noticing. Don’t get me started on the smell…
When I was going through cancer, I heard someone say:
“When your body is healthy, you have a million problems. When your body is sick, you only have one.”
That stuck with me. Back then, during my cancer journey, I realized I had run out of bandwidth for anything except survival. But now that my body is “healthy,” I find myself ignoring little things that actually matter — like my scalp. I try to stop and ask myself: What am I avoiding? And why?
I still struggle with accepting that it’s okay to feel okay — and that it’s okay to “worry” about smaller things. So all this to say, I can and should take better care of my scalp. Because it does matter.
Most of the time, avoiding these things is worse than facing them. And once you finally do? They’re often resolved in a surprisingly short amount of time — especially compared to how long some of us live with the problem.
Tips for Managing Dandruff and Oily Hair
- Alternate your shampoos: Don’t use the same one every single wash. Switching things up helps balance your scalp’s oil production.
- Limit harsh actives: Ingredients like tea tree oil or pyrithionezinc aren’t ideal for everyone. I use them sparingly. Use R+Co BEL AIR shampoo — gentle and non-stripping.
- Watch styling buildup: Hairsprays, gels, and other products can clog pores and cause flakes.
- Avoid air drying your hair: Blowdry your hair using a heat protectant spray, of course, but don’t let it remain wet for several hours.
- Talk to a stylist: Not all flakes are dandruff. You might be dealing with dermatitis, psoriasis, or scalp irritation. Each needs something different.
You Deserve to Feel Good About Your Hair
Whether it’s dandruff, thinning, or a bad dye job — there’s almost always something that can be done. And it usually starts by talking to someone who knows what they’re doing. That’s what we’re here for.
📅 Book a complimentary consultation today
🛍️ Shop R+Co BEL AIR (our favorite scalp-friendly shampoo)
✨ Whatever your hair issue is — speak it out loud. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
Haircut by Katie Miller, Styled by Erika Creston
