#skinthusiast: The Podcast Episode: How I Transformed My Damaged Hair To Healthy, Shiny and Silky | + My Wash Day Schedule
Host: Amy Koberling
Release Date: December 10, 2024

Introduction

In this solo episode of #skinthusiast: The Podcast, host Amy Koberling delves deep into her personal journey of transforming damaged hair into healthy, shiny, and silky locks. Drawing from her extensive background as a skincare educator, practicing Dermatology PA, and beauty creator, Amy shares actionable tips, product recommendations, and her comprehensive wash day schedule to help listeners achieve their best hair ever.

Amy’s Hair Journey

Amy begins by sharing her personal struggles with hair damage, highlighting the extremes she's experienced:

"I had a hairdresser one time tell me that she never felt hair like mine. And I say this because I've also been on the other end of the spectrum where my hair was literally breaking off at the ends."
[00:00]

She emphasizes that with the right tools and routine, anyone can restore their hair health.

Building the Right Hair Care Arsenal

Amy outlines the essential products in her hair care routine, stressing that it's not about having a 15-step regimen but finding what works best for individual needs.

1. Pre-Shampoo Oil

• Purpose: Coats the cuticle to protect against sulfates in shampoo.
• Preferred Oils: Coconut oil or argan oil.
• Application: Apply to midshaft and ends, let sit for 15 minutes before showering.

"The goal of this is to coat the cuticle so that when I do go in and shampoo my hair, any of these sulfates... don’t strip the hair of its natural oils."
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2. Scalp Scrub

• Usage: Optional, primarily for days with product buildup or an itchy scalp.
• Recommendation: Use a very fine, gentle scrub to avoid damaging the scalp.
• Product Example: Briogeo scalp scrub.

"A really fine, gentle scrub, like it's so fine... it's really just kind of clarifying and soothing."
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3. Detox Shampoo

• Purpose: Clarifies the scalp and removes buildup.
• Recommended Product: Kaiten Detox Shampoo – color safe and targets metals in hard water.

"It's color safe and I also like it because it targets common metals that are present in tap and hard water that can cause dullness in the hair."
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4. Second Shampoo (Double Cleanse)

• Purpose: Ensures thorough cleansing, especially if using multiple leave-in products.
• Product Options:
  • Aveda’s array gray: Gentler option.
  • Kerastase: Effective against hard water buildup.
  • Living Proof Good Hair Day: Sulfate-free, ideal for very dry scalps.

"I do a double cleanse in my hair... something like the array gray is a really nice gentle option."
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5. Conditioning Hair Mask

• Purpose: Provides immediate cosmetic benefits and temporary protection.
• Recommended Products: Gizu Hair Mask, Briogeo Hair Mask, Kerastase Masks.
• Application: Section hair thoroughly and apply evenly.

"Conditioning masks... it's going to prevent snagging of the hair and provide that immediate cosmetic benefit like smoothness and shine."
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6. Detangling

• Method: Use a wide-tooth comb while hair is conditioned to prevent breakage.
• Tool: Wide-tooth comb.

"I use a wide tooth comb so that it works really easily... it just kind of glides and it's just a very honestly relaxing and amazing way to detangle your hair."
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7. Peptide Treatments

• Product: K18 Peptide Treatment.
• Frequency: Twice monthly for maintenance.
• Benefits: Repairs disulfide bonds and polypeptide chains, clinically proven to reverse damage.

"K18 is just one of those treatments... it is absolutely one of the most fantastic and efficacious hair treatments to come on the market in the last 10 years."
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Comprehensive Wash Day Schedule

Amy provides a detailed wash day schedule to help listeners structure their routines effectively.

Wash Day One: Intensive Routine

1. Pre-Shampoo Oil
2. Scalp Scrub Treatment (if needed)
3. Detox Shampoo
4. Second Shampoo
5. Peptide Treatment (optional)
6. Conditioning Hair Mask
7. Detangling with Wide-Tooth Comb
8. Styling with Heat Protectant and Dyson Dryer

"This is like pretty much non-negotiable. I don't let my hair air dry for me."
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Following Days: Maintenance Routine

• Products Used: Hairspray, dry shampoo, oils, scalp serums.
• Styling: Always use heat protectant before styling.
• Frequency: Wash approximately every five days, adjusting based on hair needs.

Simpler Wash Days:

1. Pre-Shampoo Oil
2. Gentle Shampoo
3. Conditioning Hair Mask

"This might be an easier day. Less products for me."
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Salon Care and Additional Tips

Amy touches on salon treatments and other practices that support her hair health.

Salon Treatments:

• Glossing: Used to maintain lightness and add shine, especially after bleaching.
• Haircuts: Trimming 1-2 times a year to prevent breakage and maintain healthy ends.

"Cutting your hair is not going to change the amount of hair growth that comes out of your scalp. But what it does do is keep your ends healthier."
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Additional Practices:

• Silk Pillowcases: Reduce friction and prevent breakage during sleep.
• Hair Vitamins: Consistent use of Neutrophil for hair density, volume, and growth.
• LED Hair Caps: Utilize red and laser light therapy to stimulate hair growth and increase density.

"The other thing I do is a silk pillowcase... it just helps a little bit more slip on the hair so that when you are rolling around there's not as much friction and breakage happening."
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Conclusion and Final Insights

Amy wraps up the episode by emphasizing that achieving healthy, shiny hair is attainable with consistency and the right products. She encourages listeners to experiment and find what works best for their unique hair types and conditions.

"Addressing my dry, damaged hair has been one of honestly the single best things I've done during my skin and hair journey."
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She also promotes her comprehensive hair guide available at skinthusiast.com/shop, which offers personalized routines, product recommendations, and troubleshooting advice to support listeners in their hair care journey.

"If you've enjoyed this episode, please share to your stories and tag me. As always, I'll be sending some skin and hair care goodies..."
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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Hair Transformation:

  "I had a hairdresser one time tell me that she never felt hair like mine... So if I can get back to a good place with my hair, then I promise you can too."
  [00:00]

• On Pre-Shampoo Oil Purpose:

  "The goal of this is to coat the cuticle so that when I do go in and shampoo my hair... any of those cleansing agents don't strip the hair of its natural oils."
  [0:XX]

• On Conditioning Masks Benefits:

  "Conditioning masks... it's going to prevent snagging of the hair and provide that immediate cosmetic benefit like smoothness and shine."
  [0:XX]

• On K18 Peptide Treatment:

  "K18 is just one of those treatments... it is absolutely one of the most fantastic and efficacious hair treatments to come on the market in the last 10 years."
  [0:XX]

• On Haircuts and Growth:

  "Cutting your hair is not going to change the amount of hair growth that comes out of your scalp. But what it does do is keep your ends healthier."
  [0:XX]

Note: Specific timestamps beyond the introductory [00:00] were not provided in the transcript.

Final Thoughts

Amy Koberling’s deep dive into her hair care routine offers invaluable insights for anyone struggling with damaged hair or looking to elevate their hair care regimen. By sharing her personal experiences, product preferences, and structured schedule, Amy empowers listeners to take control of their hair health with confidence and informed choices.

For more detailed guidance, Amy encourages listeners to explore her comprehensive hair guide available on her website, ensuring that everyone has access to the tools and knowledge needed for optimal hair wellness.