Detecting scalp problems with new technology

MANILA, Philippines - Washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner on a regular basis will keep your hair scalp healthy.

That’s true. In fact, after every shampoo, you feel clean and believe that your hair scalp is in good condition.

But believe it or not, the constant use of your favorite shampoo and conditioner is also doing more harm to your hair scalp than keeping it good. The chemicals found in your hair products are simply too strong for your crowning glory. And later it might lead to hair loss or falling hair.

“What many people do not know is that the chemicals from the commercial shampoo and conditioner, or even hair coloring products, clog the pores of our scalp. It prevents baby hair from growing,’’ said Dr. Benjamin Ho, owner of Vigen MillionHair Scalp and Hair Clinic in White Plains, Quezon City which opened last November. The main branch in Annapolis, Greenhills, San Juan City opened in January last year.

Good thing Ho has brought a new technology from South Korea, Germany and the United States that allows people to see the image of our scalp “live.” Yes, you read it correct. It’s live! Through the professional diagnostic machine, you can see the image of your scalp and detect its problems such as dandruff, baldness, hair fall, itchiness, inflamed, sensitive, oily or dry scalp. But beyond the scalp diagnostic machine is the effective scalp treatment that is fast becoming popular among its discriminating clients.

Through the LED monitor, attached to the machine, you can see the condition of your scalp. The diagnostic machine has a camera that records the condition of your scalp and its pores.

Looking at the pictures snapped from the scalp check, Ho explained that the pores on the scalp should always be open to allow baby hair to grow. It’s the other way around for the pores on the face that should always be closed. He also advised not to use nails in scratching the scalp because it might get inflamed. To keep the scalp healthy, he recommended a special treatment three times a week for three months.

The scalp clinic does not offer ordinary treatment unlike in barbershops or beauty salons. It takes an hour and a half for a complete treatment when you visit the scalp clinic. Yet Ho has found a way to make your visit to the clinic interesting — leg massage.

The leg massage is part of the scalp treatment package that will increase good blood circulation. While a highly trained clinic staff treats your scalp, you will wear a spacesuit-like kind of pants and underneath is a soothing force that will pat and squeeze your laps.

Ho said the products used in the scalp treatment are all-natural and imported from Germany. “It’s really safe. The maintenance products like shampoo and conditioner are also imported,’’ he said.   

And the price for the scalp treatment? “It’s not expensive and I must say, it’s reasonable,’’ he said. 

Ho observed that there is a high demand for a scalp clinic in the Philippines based on the number of customers who frequent his clinic. “They say it’s the guys who have scalp problems. Based on our experience, women have scalp problems, too. That’s why both male and female customers visit our scalp clinic. Teenagers have problems with dandruff,’’ he said.

Ho describes the Asian hair as oily. In the Philippines, some of the common hair problems include hair loss, inflamed scalp that sometimes lead to wounds and later scars, among others.

And so far, there is nothing that the scalp clinic can do when it comes to hair problems. “We also treat alopecia (type of hair loss). Of course, common hair loss,’’ Ho said.

Six years ago, Ho also opened a slimming center — the Vigen Body Care in Greenhills, San Juan City — and supplied slimming machines to some of the country’s top clinics, too.

Vigen Body Care traces its humble beginnings to Vigen Medical Co. Ltd. Korea. Established on May 15, 1998, Vigen redefined the standards in the health and beauty field with its production of innovative medical devices.

In its 16 years of existence, Vigen Body Care continues to reap awards. Now, Vigen Body Care has more than 300 international branches.  

Ho opened a third branch on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, near the Ateneo de Manila University, this month. “Business is really good. And we are here to help them with their scalp problems,” he said.

Vigen MillionHair Scalp and Hair Clinic is located at 2/F Bellutido, 79-B Katipunan, White Plains, Quezon City. For details, call 0917-589HAIR or 624-2277; Greenhills branch: 0917-83VIGEN or 623-1181; Petron Katipunan Branch: 0917-86SCALP or 217-9045.