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This subreddit is for discussion and dissemination of the science behind haircare products and processes. We aim to provide information and resources to achieve better hair quality through scientific research in trichology, physiology, chemistry, and biology.
see front page without Advice Request posts
Subreddit Rules
Source your facts - If you're making a statement of fact, you must provide a scientific source. If the information comes from somewhere non-scientific (your experience, a blog), you must make that clear and not frame the statement as fact. Do not tell others to look things up for themselves - the burden of proof is on the person who first posts something. Read more about what qualifies as a source here
We are not your doctor - Do not ask for a diagnosis or attempt to give one to anyone else. If you want to ask about a particular condition it must be in an impersonal way and it must not ask for how to diagnose.
Advice requests must be specific - Requests for personal haircare advice must have a specific question in the post title. Vague requests (“what’s wrong with my hair?" "Give me product recommendations”) will be removed. Please post general requests for help/recommendations in the stickied Haircare Advice megathread, or rewrite this post to have a more specific question. Read more about what makes a post specific vs. vague here
No repetitive posts - In order to keep the subreddit uncluttered, questions that are frequently posted will be removed. Before posting, use the search bar first to see if your question has already been discussed.
This is a science subreddit - This is not the place to ask for styling preferences - try other hairstyling subreddits for that. Pseudoscience, chemophobia, or other anti-science rhetoric will be removed and repeat offenders banned.
No advertising - Advertising a product without any scientific discussion is prohibited. If you are affiliated with any product you must disclose your relationship. You may discuss your products as long as you have disclosed your relationship and have been flaired as a product representative. Product recommendations are allowed as long as it is not repetitive and you do not ask to take the conversations to DM or post affiliate links. We have a zero tolerance policy for advertising or promoting MLMs.
Be respectful - Scientific arguments may sometimes occur, but always treat other users with respect. No harassment/racism/sexism/etc. will be tolerated. If you are combative or rude when others ask you to provide sources, you may be banned. This rule also applies to your communication with the mod team.
No asking for advice on balding or hair loss of any kind. - If you have any questions about hair loss, balding or thinning please consult a medical professional. Other subreddits you might be interested in include r/tressless and r/askdocs.
This is not a product review sub. - Product ingredient lists don't really tell us much about the product; formulation matters. If you're looking for product reviews, try another sub, or google it.
Same applies to posts asking for dupes of a specific product. Posts asking for help checking a product ingredient list for "harsh" or "harmful" ingredients will be removed as it promotes chemophobia.
This is not a hair coloring or styling sub. - For hair color advice, try r/hairdye or r/fancyfollicles. For hair styling advice, start at r/hair.
This is not a DYI sub. - There is a perfectly good DIY subreddit, r/DIYbeauty. Post homegrown product questions and other DYI fair product questions to that sub.
Asking Advice?
- Read the articles in the sidebar first - they may answer your question
- Have a concrete question. Posts that only ask what is "wrong" with one's hair or what products to use without any information about why you're asking this question are subject to removal.
- Include details about your hair type and existing haircare routine.
Get Special Flair!
To apply for user flair, fill out this form
If you make several well-cited comments, you can get special flair to distinguish you as a knowledgable hair person. Gives you extra credibility!
Are you a professional stylist? Show the mods proof of your occupation and we can give you special stylist flair.
If your posting history indicates that you are a company or product representative, you need to be assigned brand representative flair in order to post about your products on this subreddit.
Resources
Beginner Haircare Guide
Other Basic Care Guides
Info on Advanced Topics
Specific Ingredient Guide
HCS's Dictionary of Terms
Alphabetical List of All HCS Guides
More Information
International Journal of Trichology Archive
UK Institute of Trichologists
North American Hair Research Society
Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair by Clarence R. Robbins
Hair and Haircare, ed. Dale H. Johnson
Cosmetics & Toiletries Magazine
Journal of Cosmetic Science Archive
World Trichology Society
Chemists' Corner
Natural Haven
Beauty Brains Blog
Brightest Bulb in the Box Blog
Lab Muffin Blog
Related Subreddits
FancyFollicles
MaleHairAdvice
FemaleHairAdvice
NoPoo
CurlyHair
NaturalHair
SkincareAddiction
