Most often you'll hear of micellar water when trying to take off makeup. It's typically used as a facial cleanser too.
Now What Is Micellar Water Technology?
It was originally invented in France in the 1990s by the pharmaceutical brand Bioderma to be used as a gentle facial cleanser instead of the region's hard tap water.
Micellar water is essentially a gentle cleanser made up of micelles and soft water that doesn't irritate your skin. Micelles are tiny cleansing molecules that lift and trap the oil on your skin. Think of them as tiny spheric magnets that have a water-loving end and an oil-loving end. Once they're dropped into water, they're practically hunting for dirt and oils since that's what they love. When they find some, they grab onto the oils and keep it trapped inside of the micelle. Since the micelle water bubble has this "nucleus" of dirt trapped inside, the oils and grime easily wash away. The best part is that there's no rinsing necessary.
What Is Micellar Technology for the Scalp?
We've done that for your scalp. We've created the first of its kind ever scalp micellar rinse, Pre-Wash, as featured on CNN Underscored and Veranda. Just massage it into your roots and scalp for 3 to 4 minutes, then wash as usual with New Wash. It's there to gently remove buildup without causing irritation.
Why Does Pre-Wash Contain Prebiotics?
What we also did was add prebiotics. If you're curious as to why that's even necessary, keep reading.
Your scalp is more than just skin, it's a microbiome. There are tons of microscopic organisms like bacteria and fungi whose jobs are to protect, support and regulate your scalp health which in turn support your hair follicles.
Here's the part most people miss. Prebiotics aren't live bacteria. That's probiotics, a different thing entirely. Prebiotics are food. A recent scientific review defines them as "non-digestible substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms, conferring a health benefit." In plain terms, they're ingredients the good bacteria on your scalp can actually eat, while the bacteria and fungi behind dandruff and irritation can't touch them.
While your scalp already has a microbiome doing its job, it's important to feed it as your lifestyle changes. And with change, comes demand. As you use a variety of haircare products, or work out and sweat a lot, and then follow up with detergent-based shampoos, you're putting a wrench in your scalp's microbiome system. Your scalp can't regulate itself as fast as you deplete it, so it needs to be purified, much like the machine you put on your bedroom floor to clean the air. The buildup and oils need to be flushed out while simultaneously your microbiome needs to be fed so it can continue to protect, nourish and balance your scalp.
The Bottom Line
That's our whole mission for your haircare routine. We want to give you your time back and naturally influence your hair's natural texture and behavior. You won't need a Pinterest board of haircare routines because all you need is Pre-Wash.
Curious to learn more? Check out these related reads:
- Scalp Health 101: How to Soothe, Strengthen and Support Hair Growth
- How to Improve Your Scalp Health
- Scalp Health: Why Your Hair Keeps Frizzing and Flaking
- WTF Are Detergents and Surfactants?
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a board-certified dermatologist or qualified healthcare provider if you have concerns about your hair or scalp health.
