Caitlin Ng, Author at Goody Feed

Growing up with parents who were divers and biologists, I grew up by the sea and have always loved it. You can say it was my first love. From diving to wakeboarding and an array of other water sports, my friends always jokingly liken me to a fish. Image: Caitlin Ng However, unlike fish who have the privilege of not having hair to worry about, the effects of constant saltwater and sun have had some serious repercussions on my scalp and hair. I've noticed more and more hair falling, some oiliness and really dry hair. Hair & Scalp Treatment With High-Quality Botanical Products Because of this, I decided to head down to Topp Care Hair Solutions after seeing some promos. Who doesn't love a good deal right? Image: Caitlin Ng I did a little research and found that they are certified by the International Association of Trichologists (IAT) and their experts have over ten years of experience so I knew I could trust them. Their hair treatments use an array of high-quality Western botanical ingredients, incorporating these natural ingredients to promote scalp wellness at every step. In-depth Analysis of the Scalp Nestled in Eastpoint Mall, conveniently located next to Simei MRT Station, Topp Care Hair Solutions was easy to get to. There were even many options for F&B for me to fill my stomach after the treatment that I was debating. Regardless, I was ready to relax and unwind after a long work week. Upon entering the store, I was greeted by Helen. Image: Caitlin Ng She gave me the warmest welcome and made me feel right at home. After filling out some of my details and a little personal analysis of my own hair, Helen showed me to a little booth before serving me some complimentary chrysanthemum tea. Chrysanthemum tea has been my favourite drink since I was a kid so plus points there for homeliness for sure. Image: Caitlin Ng After making myself at home, I was led to a cosy consultation room to analyse my hair and scalp condition in-depth in a 1-to-1 professional consultation. She asked me a bit more about my lifestyle habits, like my sleep patterns, alcohol consumption, family medical history and whatnot because unbeknownst to me, these can also lead to major effects on your hair. So I can't blame it entirely on my time in the sun and sea. Using that little scanner machine of hers that can zoom up to 200x, Helen examined my scalp and here are some pictures of how it looked: Image: Topp Care Hair Solutions I'm really sorry you had to see that - I know it's pretty nasty but let's break it down. My main problems were: Oily and clogged hair follicles - sebum and dead skin can be seen lining my hair follicles which can lead to unnecessary hair fall Some signs of thinning hair - a singular follicle can have 4-6 strands of hair, but a lot of mine only had 1-2 skinny strands Some scalp sensitivity - the redness seen on the scalp is a sign of this Probably seeing the mildly horrified look on my face, Helen quickly reassured me that we had a game plan for this. Step-by-Step Process of Treating Your Scalp Starting with a Deep Cleanse The game plan was a 6-step treatment plan. It might sound daunting at first, but trust me - it's just two hours of relaxation and self-care that you don't want to miss. The first step was an aqua lotion cleanse with what looked like a giant Q-tip and a cleansing lotion. Image: Caitlin Ng As Helen rubbed it methodically through my scalp, she explained that this would help clean out my hair follicles thoroughly by removing dead skin cells, flakes and other dirt to prep my scalp for treatment. All that clogging of oil and dead skin was outta there. Image: Caitlin Ng And I know you might be wondering—since the scalp needs to be so thoroughly cleaned, is it uncomfortable? It surprised me that it wasn't; it was relaxing with the gentle scrubbing and my scalp didn't feel stripped or irritated after. Once my scalp went through the first round of cleaning, Helen proceeded to apply a Detoxdren scalp masque. This masque was customised to my concerns and used to draw out accumulated oil in my hair follicles. As Helen gently massaged the masque into my scalp, she added that this masque serves to regulate sebum production so my scalp isn't too dry or too oily at any given time. Image: Caitlin Ng The scents throughout this experience were extremely pleasant and calming, and this hair masque was no exception. I'd like to preface that my nose is very sensitive to smells, but these botanical scents were not too strong and made it feel like I was walking through a pretty garden in the Spring. Just another way to delude myself that I'm in Europe or something since I have no more leaves. *cries* Back to Basics with a Hair Wash and Mini-Lesson After the masque was applied, Helen left it to sit for a while and I sat there just soaking in the scents while sipping on my complimentary chrysanthemum tea. Image: Caitlin Ng After a few minutes, I was guided by another staff member, Siew Yen, to the washing station to rinse the masque off. Image: Caitlin Ng After rinsing off the masque, she washed my hair with a botanical shampoo and conditioner. The sweet scents of bergamot, sweet orange and thyme permeated the area and I was seriously so zen at this point. During this time, she taught me a few ways to wash my hair while caring for my scalp properly: Never use your fingernails to scrub your head as it can damage the skin on your scalp It's good to wash your hair every day to ensure that dirt doesn't build up in your hair follicles I'm not going to lie, with the warm water, fresh scents and the gentle massaging of my head, I almost drifted off to sleep. Image: Caitlin Ng But once I was done, I headed back to my cosy booth where she helped to apply a leave-in hair conditioner and blow dry my hair. Sensory Heaven with a Cooling Lotion and Massage The next step in this treatment plan was probably one of my favourites. It was a botanical hair lotion that Siew Yen helped me apply to my scalp that was supposed to help nourish the scalp and improve hair growth. Upon being applied, there was a cooling sensation on my scalp that was so shiok after the warm rinse and blow dry. Image: Caitlin Ng The second last step was a relaxing massage, which was just the cherry on top of the cake for me. And this wasn't just any other massage. It was an acupressure-point massage that increases blood flow to your hair follicles. Another benefit is the alleviation of stress which prevents further hair loss - something I appreciated as I felt the tension of the week melt away. I am personally not the biggest fan of massages because I'm just so ticklish and sensitive, but this one was gentle and soothing which I enjoyed. Promoting Hair Growth with a Laser Helmet This brought us to the last step, which was a low-level laser therapy (LLLT). And no, it's not gonna BURN your hair off - it is a FDA-certified device that treats thinning. Instead, having this nifty red-light helmet on will help stimulate follicles for thicker and healthier hair growth, as Helen explained. Intrigued, I did a little digging on my own and found out the science behind it. This device features 27 built-in lasers and 42 LEDs, using laser and infrared light therapy to boost hair follicle function on your scalp. Image: Caitlin Ng The laser energy widens small blood vessels in your scalp, improving blood circulation. This increased flow brings more vitamins, nutrients, and oxygen directly to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth. I know, you might think you look a little funky wearing this but honestly, it's kinda entertaining - and with your healthy hair after this, who cares? Image: Caitlin Ng Fresh Hair Who Dis? After about 10-20 minutes of letting the low-level lasers do its thing on my hair follicles, the treatment was completed. The two hours spent on the treatment whizzed right by just like that. My hair and I were left feeling rejuvenated as Helen led us back into the consultation room. The moment of truth - did the treatment really help my crusty scalp condition? Image: Caitlin Ng As you can see, the hair roots and follicles are very much cleaner as the grime has been removed. Here's a side-by-side comparison for you to see the difference: Image: Caitlin Ng Of course, you can still see some red sensitive spots and hair thinning, but these aren't things that can be fixed with just one session. Needless to say, I am incredibly pleased with the outcome. The entire experience was incredibly pleasant - from the service to the explanation of treatments and treatments themselves. It not only helped my head feel cleaner and healthier but also gave me a better understanding of my hair and scalp condition. Good Deals Must Share As my mum always taught me, good things must share, right? So if you're looking for a quick way to treat yourself while checking in on your neglected scalp, Topp Care Hair Solutions is just the solution for you. The products and services provided are all top-of-the-line to address your concerns at their roots (haha get it?) If you'd like to experience the same treatment as I did, the Tricho Activa treatment is their latest promotion at just $45 nett. And this isn't just for the ladies - to all my bromigos, hair concerns are also a thing for y'all so there's no shame in getting it checked out before you're reverted to army recruit hair status. Simply book an appointment by clicking here or by dropping them a WhatsApp message at +65 9150 8917.