For both men and women, the psychological impact of losing your hair can be profoundly distressing. A full head of hair is commonly associated with youth, vigour and attractiveness – which is also why hair thinning or premature balding can be so devastating to one’s self-esteem.
Certified trichologist Riff Lim is well aware of the emotional toll that hair loss brings. In fact, it was his wife’s personal battle with post-partum hair loss that spurred him to dive deeper into the study of the hair and the scalp.
He experimented with herbal remedies, combining time-tested ingredients from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) canon with herbs used in Ayurveda, a medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent.
The trichologist’s testing revealed that the formulations most effective for his wife’s hair treatment were made from whole herbs, plucked fresh and cooked laboriously for hours until their essence had been extracted, rather than their more convenient powdered versions.
These formulations ended up laying the groundwork for Two Herbs, a now-international chain of salons providing herbal hair treatments rooted solely in Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs. There are six locations in Singapore alone, with numerous outposts in Malaysia, Taiwan, China and India.
The key to Two Herb’s success across the region lies in its proprietary herbal formula. There’s Korean red ginseng, said to boost blood circulation to the scalp, encouraging hair growth; neem, a tree native to tropical countries with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties to ward off scalp irritation; and amla, or Indian gooseberry, a fruit with several potential benefits including prevention of cellular damage, promotion of heart health and, when applied on hair, strengthening of its roots.
Other notable ingredients include dang gui or Chinese angelica, which contains phytoestrogens that can reportedly inhibit the creation of hair-loss-causing compounds; brami, also known as waterhyssop, prized for its antioxidants; and bhringraj, an Indian weed that combats dandruff and potential hair loss with antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
When used together as an herbal paste in Two Herb’s multi-step hair treatment process, it is said to produce noticeable results within a single session, with a reduction in hair fall after several visits. According to the company, hair growth can be seen in six to eight months’ time.
The treatment
The Signature Icy Hair Loss Treatment is a six-step process that begins with a scalp scan and the application of ginger wine to open up pores. The process continues with the application of the herbal paste, followed by a 30-minute session under a signature cold cap. It ends with a thorough wash, blow dry, and post-treatment scalp analysis. Even better, this comprehensive treatment is priced affordably, starting at $38 for men, and from $42 to $62 for women depending on hair length.
Customers are assured of quality service without hardselling or hidden fees. While packages are available, you can also pay for sessions individually without having to commit to a long-term contract. Both walk-ins and bookings are available for Two Herb’s suite of herbal hair treatments.
Main outlets are at Woodlands, Clementi, Ang Mo Kio and Kovan. Find out more about Two Herbs here.
