FLORENS

Two elements of a hair’s structure determine the shape that it grows into.  These elements are the the follicle and the shaft. The shaft is the part of the hair that we can see – the strands that flow down from our heads. The follicle resides within the skin and it is where hair originates and is rooted, i.e. the hair follicle contains the hair root.  The hair follicle acts as an anchor, holding the hair in place.

The shape of the follicle plays a significant role in determining whether the hair is straight, curly or somewhere in between.  If the follicle is round, hair grows out straight; if oval, hair grows out wavy; and if hooked or elliptical, hair grows out curly.  This is universally true for all humans.

The angle at which the hair grows out of your skin also affects your hairs’ curliness.  Straight hairs tunnel vertically down into your scalp, while curly hairs tunnel in at an angle.  

The shaft of your hair affects how curly it is because of the way protein molecules build up.  Proteins such as keratins tend to build up unevenly in curly hair, collecting in the curve of your hair, make it curl even more.  This affects your hair less than the shape of the follicle, however.

Did you also know that the health of the follicle affects how well your genes express and look.  Follicle health depends on how well one cares for the scalp & hair at the cellular level, as the modern lifestyle seeks to destroy it.

M F L O R E N S products are specifically formulated to repair, rejuvenate, revitalize and regenerate follicular health. As such, we often hear from clients that their hair is curly or wavy again, like when they were younger (usually when cells were healthier because stressors and aggressors had not degraded cellular health). See following post for more.

Like your skin, your scalp requires weekly or twice weekly exfoliation, deep cleansing and detoxification to encourage healthy cell function, turnover and nourishment. One of the best ways is to use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to purge and remove layers of dead skin, toxic buildup and other gunk internally and externally. At M F L O R E N S, we exclusively use powerful, naturally occurring AHAs, rather than the industry standard of synthetic AHAs or bacterial or fungal fermentations—we take great pride in adhering to the strictest clean standards.

AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid. We use fruit and plant sources of glycolic acid because they have the greatest bioavailability and smallest molecular size to penetrate deep into the scalp to act on your cells. Think of it as a micro-peel for your scalp to kickstart function, regeneration, nourishment and bounce for rejuvenated, youthful scalp & hair.

Cedrus Deodara (Cedarwood) is so revered and exalted, it is called the “Wood of the Gods” in Sanskrit.

At M F L O R E N S, our formulations are richly infused with this most transformative of natural ingredients.  We source our Cedarwood from the Himalayas, where the bark and twigs of the actual cedar tree are steam-distilled to obtain the therapeutic oil.

In contrast, much of what passes as Cedarwood oil does not come from true cedar but some other evergreen tree.

We are incredibly proud to have built and earned our clients’ trust and confidence to use and produce only the finest, highest-caliber ingredients, materials and processes.

Raphanus Sativus: the almighty radish.  M F L O R E N S uses highly sought cold pressed radish seed oil that is unrefined and completely virgin, meaning it is bursting with its wild goodness.

Radish seed oil contains a unique fatty acid that makes it similar to the silicone you will find in shampoos and countless other hair products.

However, in contrast to the all-natural fatty acid in radish seed oil, silicone is devastatingly dangerous for hair and environment (see the link below). This omega-9 fatty acid gives your hair a velvety, natural glow without clogging and killing your follicles and roots with deleterious chemicals.

Radish seed oil is also very emollient and easily absorbed, making it an excellent moisturizer and helping to keep your follicles youthful and supple.

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M F L O R E N S' castor seed is oil is highly prized and rare for being both cold pressed and cold processed, which is essential for castor seed oil to retain its therapeutic and revitalizing properties.  Most castor oil, including high-end varieties, are not cold-pressed and cold-processed.  Our castor seed oil is sought after because it is further undiluted and purely enhanced during our proprietary production process.  

True to its revered status in the herbal medicinal world, castor oil is commonly referred to as the palm of Christ or Palma Christi.  Books can be written on its amazing reparative, restorative and nutritive properties.

Here is how castor seed oil, sourced and prepared the M F L O R E N S way, can exfoliate, detoxify, nourish and regenerate at the cellular level for healthy, full scalp & hair:

• Saturated with over 100 compounds, including essential and non-essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids and perpenoids, that contribute to its immensely rich therapeutic and revitalizing properties. Their molecular structure permits them to permeate the layers of the skin to transform and enhance from the cellular level on up.
• Relieves and prevents hair loss: If cold-pressed, castor seed oil is the best source of ricinoleic acid, which is what makes it unique from other plant oils.  Ricinoleic acid has excellent skin permeability, reaching deep into the dermis.  Recent studies have found that ricinoleic acid can relieve and prevent hair loss.
• Promotes follicle growth and regeneration: If cold-pressed, the castor seed oil is a rich source of linoleic acid, which is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid and is one of two essential fatty acids for humans that the body cannot produce on its own.  Linoleic acid too has excellent skin permeability, reaching deep into the dermis.  Linoelic acid restores dry follicles, adds shine and promotes follicle growth.
• Intensely hydrates and moisturizes: If cold-pressed, castor seed oil is an excellent source of oleic acid, which is classified as a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid.  It acts as a humectant to retain moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin, and deeply hydrates and moisturizes, preventing dry, brittle scalp & hair.  By reducing dryness and irritation, coupled with its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, prevents buildup of dead cells and increases cellular vitality for a healthier head of hair.
• Deeply conditions: Castor seed oil delivers conditioning that improves the flexibility of the hair fiber.  It lubricates the hair shaft, increasing flexibility and decreasing the chance of breakage.
• Promotes the production of elastin and collagen for stronger, thicker strands.
• Eliminates bacterial, viral, fungal and microbial growth on the scalp & hair: Undecyclenic acid is largely responsible for castor oil’s antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial attributes.  They eliminate mild to acute growth on the scalp & hair that can lead to serious skin and hair damage, inflammation, irritation, itchiness, dandruff, cellular and follicular death and hair loss.
• Powerfully relieves and eases inflammation: The plethora of rich nutrients and actives in castor seed oil powerfully soothe and ease inflammation caused by microbial infection, toxins, chemicals, dirt, pollution, stress, diet and excessive dying and styling.  Inflammation of the scalp constricts blood flow to the hair follicle, reducing the levels of necessary nutrients and leading to cellular death and hair loss.
• Targets free radicals to prevent premature cellular aging and death: Castor seed oil’s antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging abilities are second to none.  The actives penetrate to work alongside your body’s natural defense to repair cellular damage and revitalize for healthier scalp and growing hair.
• Strongly stimulates blood flow and circulation to the scalp for stronger, thicker strands: Alongside its anti-inflammatory properties, the actives in castor seed oil boost circulation to nourish, rejuvenate, revitalize and reawaken hair follicles.  Better nourishment produces stronger, thicker strands.
• Exfoliates and revitalizes for hair growth and volume: Castor seed oil’s gentle but thorough and powerful exfoliating actives breakup stubborn buildup and gunk to clear the scalp and clogged pores of dirt, pollution, toxins, dead skin, chemicals and other harmful particles.  Greater blood flow and oxygenation result in healthier follicles for growing, voluminous hair.  It also reduces flaky scalp and conditions associated with it.
• Penetrates quickly through scar tissue and stimulates the growth of healthy tissue, including hair follicles.

Our active botanical scalp & hair mask is a rich source of absorbable Vitamin A, including from:

• Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil
• Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
• Lavendula Angustifolia (French Lavender) Oil
• Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
• Rosa Damascena (Bulgarian Rose) Floral Water

Vitamin A refers to a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids (most notably beta-carotene).

Vitamin A is essential for regular and healthy cell growth, development and regeneration.  Vitamin A, and more specifically, retinoic acid, maintains normal scalp health (and by extension follicle and root health) by switching on genes and differentiating keratinocytes (immature skin cells) into mature epidermal cells.

Other key benefits of Vitamin A for strong, lush hair, include:

• Powerful antioxidant that destroys free radicals, which denature cells, causing breakdown and eventual death.
• Reduces size and secretion of the sebaceous glands, tending to make the sebaceous glands more balanced for those with oily hair.
• Strong anti-microbial and antibacterial properties, effective in the ducts and skin surface. Microbes can damage cellular health, leading to hair loss, alopecia areata, dandruff, itchiness and flakiness.
• Relieves inflammation via inhibition of chemotactic responses of monocytes and neutrophils.

Inflammation—chronic, pervasive, deadly—is a leading cause of hair loss and scalp problems:

Inflammation commonly arises as a result of the stresses and environmental toxins of modern life, think: PHYSICAL factors (injury, dirt, pollution), BIOLOGICAL factors (microbes, stress, immune reactions due to hypersensitivity), CHEMICAL factors (chemical irritants, toxins, alcohol, diet) and PSYCHOLOGICAL factors (stress, anxiety).  In other words, it arises from environmental toxicity, pollution, internal and external stressors, bodily imbalances and increasingly hectic pace of modern life.

Limited occasions of inflammation are a natural and necessary bodily response, however, chronic inflammation, which our modern way of life perpetuates, is deadly—leading to enormous free radical damage, tissue destruction, fibrosis, necrosis (cellular death) and a host of other destructive conditions. Namely, it damages and destroys DNA and cellular function, leading to hair loss, alopecia areata, balding, graying, dull, dry scalp & hair.

As a preventative and curative matter, it is essential to treat and nourish the scalp and follicles with rich, powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients.  The star ingredients in our active botanical scalp & hair mask—cold-pressed castor seed, sesame seed, baobab and steam-distilled eucalyptus oils—are among nature’s most potent actives to relieve and preempt inflammation and free radical damage to restore optimal cellular functions.  Moreover, the mask is formulated to restore blood and nutrient flow to the follicles and roots.

Cellular repair, rejuvenation and revitalization will reflect in thicker, shinier hair.

• Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil is best for those with problem or congested scalp as it helps to detox the dermis.
• Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil will boost collagen production thanks to its stimulating properties.
• Cananga Odorata Genuina (Complete Ylang Ylang) Oil* offers anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Lavender oil is antibacterial and will help regenerate skin cells.
• Antibacterial oils like Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil and Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil will help invigorate and clarify.

There are three ways in which M F L O R E N S recommends using the active botanical scalp & hair mask for maximum impact and results.

For use as a pre-shampoo scalp & hair treatment mask.  Gently brush dry unwashed hair.  Working in sections, liberally massage oil directly to the scalp and roots.  Apply to hair ends as desired.  For deeper-mask penetration, warm treated scalp briefly with hairdryer to quickly activate the mask.   Thoroughly shampoo scalp and hair with warm water, finish with a cold rinse.

• Overnight treatment mask—Apply the mask as suggested above before bedtime.  To avoid transferring the mask onto your pillowcase, you may use a head-wrap or place a towel on your pillow.  As you unwind and fall asleep to relaxing French lavender and West African baobab, the mask will work to exfoliate, nourish and rejuvenate scalp and roots.  Wash the following day.  It is generally safe to leave the mask on for up to 12 hours or more.  Each individual should assess their own sensitivities and tolerances.
  

• Hot oil treatment—Apply  mask as suggested above whenever it is most suitable for you, allowing it to stay on for at least 45 minutes to 2 hours.  Used in this way, it is imperative to apply heat via a blow dryer or head-wrap.  This method can as easily be used at a salon treatment or on the go during the day, pre-workout, pre-errands, pre-job.  Wash afterwards.
  

• Final grooming aid on dry hair— Add shine and seal split ends by warming a couple of drops between hands and very lightly running hands through lower end of hair.
  

Lastly, consistency of use determines outcome and satisfaction.  With repeated weekly or twice weekly use, cumulative results will begin to grow.

In light of the above, we invite you to modify and adapt the mask to your needs and constraints.  What is most important is that you use the mask with regularity. 

Please send us your questions, we will respond within 1 to 3 business days: contact@mflorens.com.

Disclaimer  We do not endorse smoking or tobacco products outside of the editorial photographic content.  Tobacco is as deleterious for scalp & hair health as it is for one's skin, lungs, etc.

M F L O R E N S sources its ylang ylang oil from France, where we are able to obtain the highest quality, “complete” oil.  We only use “complete” ylang ylang oil, which means it is produced by uninterrupted fresh water steam-distillation for 20 to 24 hours.

With its highly penetrative molecular composition, ylang ylang oil works on the scalp and hair, but also penetrates to the roots and follicles, to powerfully cleanse, detoxify and eliminate stubborn buildup and stale oils around your hair follicles.  As it clears and unclogs pores and follicles, it thereby dramatically improves blood flow and delivery of vital nutrients and oxygenation to hair follicles and roots.  Previously compromised and weakening follicles regain their strength and dormant ones may be revived, if intervention occurs in time.

Ylang ylang oil acts as a powerful antiseptic, i.e. disinfectant and antimicrobial to target pernicious bacterial, fungal and viral growth on the scalp.  If left unaddressed, these organisms are silent killers of hair follicles and roots, and a leading cause of hair loss.  They also cause dandruff, itchiness and general discomfort on the scalp.

As it delivers antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and rich nutrients to unclogged pores, it reverses and prevents cellular damage and premature aging, which is a leading cause of weak and thinning hair.  Relief from oxidative stress and chronic inflammation means healthier cellular function.

The increased blood circulation to the scalp stimulates and revives dormant hair follicles to restart functioning and produce hair growth.

Ylang ylang oil also balances the sebaceous glands and sebum production in your scalp to reduce wet and greasy sensations (for those with oily scalp and/or hair).  By balancing the sebaceous glands, it regulates oil production and combats dry scalp to prevent itchiness, flakiness and brittle hair, while helping your hair to retain moisture.

Additional Facts:

• Ylang Ylang comes from the Tagalog (Filipino) term ilang-ilang—ilang means wilderness.
• It is an essential oil used in aromatherapy for its relaxing and de-stressing propensities.
• It is a fast-growing tree of the custard apple family.
• The scent has beautiful hints of jasmine and neroli.
• It’s famously used in Chanel’s iconic No. 5 perfume.

Flōrēns is a Latin word meaning:

1. blooming, blossoming, flowering
2. flourishing, prospering
3. abounding

We think it represents the best of all there is in life.  In mind, in body, in spirit, in soul, in relationships, in finances, in generosity, in hope and in love.  It is both reality and aspiration.

M is the first initial of our founder.  The prefix M, in our opinion, adds a boldness and edge to F L O R E N S that we love and think is fierce.

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