​Your scalp is more than just the place where your hair grows—it's living tissue that can provide important clues about your overall scalp and hair health. Symptoms such as itching, flaking, tenderness, excessive oiliness, or inflammation aren't just annoyances; they may be signs that your scalp is struggling to maintain a healthy environment for hair growth. Learning to recognize these signals can help you address concerns before they become bigger problems.

Itching

An itchy scalp is one of the most common complaints people experience. While occasional itching can be normal, persistent itching may indicate dryness, product buildup, irritation, allergies, dandruff, or inflammation. Scratching can further damage the scalp barrier, creating a cycle of irritation that may affect overall scalp health. If your scalp constantly feels itchy, it's worth investigating the underlying cause rather than simply masking the symptom.

Flaking

Not all flakes are created equal. Dry scalp often produces small, white flakes that easily fall away, while dandruff tends to create larger, oilier flakes that may cling to the hair and scalp. Flaking can also be associated with conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or scalp irritation. Because different causes require different approaches, identifying the source of the flaking is an important first step.

Tenderness or Soreness

Your scalp should not hurt. If you experience tenderness, burning, tingling, or discomfort when touching your scalp, it may be a sign of inflammation. Tight hairstyles, scalp conditions, excessive tension, stress, or certain forms of hair loss can contribute to scalp sensitivity. Persistent tenderness should never be ignored, as it may indicate that the scalp is under stress.

Excessive Oiliness

A scalp that becomes greasy shortly after washing may be producing excess sebum. While some oil production is healthy and helps protect the scalp, too much can contribute to clogged follicles, inflammation, itching, and flaking. Hormonal changes, genetics, stress, and improper product selection can all influence oil production. Finding the right balance is key to maintaining a healthy scalp environment. Part of that is avoiding harsh sulfates that strip oil off your scalp. When that happens, your scalp goes into overdrive to replace the oils. When using a sulfate-free shampoo, your scalp regulates itself and produces just the right amount of oil.

Redness and Inflammation

Visible redness is often a sign that the scalp is irritated or inflamed. Inflammation can result from scalp conditions, allergies, harsh products, environmental factors, or excessive scratching. Chronic inflammation may impact the health of hair follicles over time, making it important to identify and address the underlying cause rather than simply treating the symptoms.

At OlyCurl, we've always believed that healthy curls start at the scalp -- and that hair care should feel empowering, not intimidating. That belief is what led us to our newest offering, and we're excited to officially share it with you.
We are proud to announce the launch of the OlyHair Growth and Trichology Center - a dedicated space focused on scalp health, hair thinning support, and promoting fuller, healthier hair using non-surgical, non-invasive approaches.

Hair thinning and changes in density are more common than people realize. Hormonal shifts, stress, nutrition, styling habits, genetics, and scalp health can all play a role - and yet many people feel unsure where to turn or are uncomfortable even starting the conversation.
We created this center to offer a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where clients can explore solutions rooted in education, wellness, and realistic expectations. No shame. No pressure. 
Just thoughtful care.
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Trichology is the study of hair, scalp, and hair loss. In simple terms, it focuses on understanding how the scalp functions and how that impacts hair growth, strength, and density.
Our approach blends trichology principles with OlyCurl's holistic philosophy - looking at the scalp as living skin that deserves attention, balance, and care. 

The OlyHair Growth and Trichology Center is led by Yukiko Taylor, Certified Clinical  Trichologist, with focused education and training in the science of hair and scalp health. This work has been intentionally developed since 2020, through certification, continued study, and hands-on experience supporting clients with hair thinning and scalp concerns. Our approach blends trichology principles with OlyCurl's holistic philosophy - offering informed, thoughtful care rooted in education, not trends or quick fixes.

The OlyCurl Hair Growth & Trichology Center provides non-medical hair and scalp wellness services, including:

• Customized topical scalp treatments
• Carefully selected hair growth supplements
• Low-level laser therapy designed to support hair vitality and growth
• Scalp health evaluations and personalized care plans

We do not offer wigs, hairpieces, surgical procedures, or medical treatments. We also do not diagnose or treat medical conditions. Instead, we focus on supporting the scalp's natural ability to create healthier hair through consistent, evidence-informed care. We can identify when a dermatologist should be consulted regarding your scalp condition.

Our Hair Growth & Trichology Center is ideal for those experiencing:

• Gradual thinning or reduced density
• Excessive shedding
• Scalp discomfort or imbalance
• Changes related to stress, hormones, or lifestyle
• A desire to be proactive about long-term hair health

Whether you're noticing subtle changes or simply want to invest in your scalp's wellness, we're here to help guide you.

What makes this center unique is the same things that make OlyCurl special: education, honesty, and care rooted in real-life hair.
We take time to listen, explain options clearly, and build realistic, sustainable plans - all while honoring your natural texture and individual journey.

The OlyHair Growth & Trichology Center is now open and accepting consultations. If you've been curious, concerned, or are simply ready to focus on scalp health in a supportive setting, we invite you to take the next step with us.
​Because healthy hair doesn't start with fear - it starts with understanding.

      We are honored to announce that OlyCurl has been named a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave in Nextdoor’s 9th Annual Local Business Awards. This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from our neighbors and clients here in Olympia.
    
     “Local businesses are the cornerstone of our communities, and the Neighborhood Faves awards are our way of celebrating the establishments that neighbors love most,” said Nirav Tolia, CEO of Nextdoor. “We are proud to recognize this year's winners for their outstanding contributions. Being a Neighborhood Fave is a powerful testament to the meaningful impact they have on their communities every day.”

    The Neighborhood Faves Awards are determined by the number of “Faves” and recommendations local businesses receive from neighbors throughout the year. Being selected as one of the most-loved salons in our community is a true honor.

    Your encouragement inspires us every day, and we are committed to continuing to provide exceptional care and service to our curly-haired community.

    You can join the neighborhood conversation by downloading the Nextdoor app from your preferred app store or visiting nextdoor.com.

We talk about being team-based a lot at OlyCurl, and even have it on our About Us page on our website. But let me share with you a little more in depth.

More than just a pay structure, being team-based offers us sustainability. We are able to continue serving our clients because we practice financial literacy, accountability, and transparency with our team. This allows our whole team to be fully invested and aware of the state of our company. We have team goals and when we hit those goals we all celebrate as a team. Next time you are in, ask about what we did for team night recently! We have lots of fun! 

Healthy financial literacy also enables our company to provide benefits that many salon companies are not able to provide. Our staff members are able to enjoy benefits such as: Living and Guaranteed Wages, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Vacation, Dental Insurance, Accidental Insurance, Continuing Education, and even Company-Matching IRA! We wholly believe in taking care of our team.

Occasionally, we may not hit our monthly goal, but we still have team night just so we can unwind together and build memories. What you may not know is that even outside of work we enjoy each others' company! One of the things we have done a few times is Trivia Night! We have done trivia night at 3 different establishments. We are never the big winners, but I am proud to say we hold our own consistently being 3rd from last during the first half of the evening! I won't say what happens during the second half! Suffice it to say, we always have a good time!

We do not lock you in to one service provider. What this means is that all of our skills and talents are available to everyone. If your regular stylist is on an extended leave of absence, no problem! We can keep you on track with your regular trims in the meantime! Your stylist is out sick? No problem! We will do our best to shift things around so that you can keep your appointment on the same day. There is no need to disrupt your schedule because of our personal life events! This also alleviates the guilt that stylists frequently experience when they take time for themselves or are sick. We can be free to heal and get better knowing that clients are being taken care of! 

Additionally, your visit may be elevated by having more than one service provider working together to serve you. More hands equals more pampering! Who wouldn't want to feel like a king or queen while they are here?
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Lastly, we do not pay commission. "Why is that?", you may ask. Paying an hourly wage (like most other industries) enables a stable income for our service providers. It alleviates the worry of not making enough to pay our bills during slow periods. Our staff are paid for every minute they are in the salon, no matter what they are doing at any given moment. That's why you may see two service providers working on one client! There is no competition between us here. And that helps our clients rest easy because we don't have a personal agenda with your appointment or purchasing decisions. We are simply here to serve you!

So, at the end of the day, what we are saying is to give curly bangs a chance! You never know how incredible your hair will look if you try something new. Embrace your curls, and face your fears when it comes to curly bangs. Take it from a notorious bang straightener; curly bangs are pretty awesome when given a chance!
​- Becki 

There are many factors that go into how long a haircut will last. What does "last" mean to you? Does it mean how long will my style retain this shape? Well, again, that depends. A shorter, above-the-ears haircut will need to be trimmed in about 8 weeks. A medium-length, above-the-shoulders will need to be trimmed in 8-10 weeks. Longer haircuts can be trimmed 10-12 weeks to maintain the shape and volume. However, if there are a lot of layers, like in a shag, then we would need to trim up that droopiness in about 10 weeks. 

Do you do a lot with your hair as far as hair ties for working out, or swimming? Do you occasionally (in a moment of weakness) use a curling iron or wand on your curls? Then those ends are being damaged and as I always say, "split ends beget split ends!", so we would need to trim those ends in about 10 weeks. While you're at it, why not do a detox at the same time? If you have been using the occasional "heat protectant", then you will have some build up on your hair and you wouldn't be having the best results with your curls.

Are you "growing it out"? Is your hair otherwise healthy and you follow our regimen for curl care with sulfate-free and silicone-free products? Then a 12-week trim is in order. Depending on the health of your ends, we may only need to dust 1/4". If the ends are a little dry we may need to take 1/2" or more. It really does vary. We can make our professional recommendation based on how the ends look and feel, but it is always up to you to make that final decision. 

Are you growing out a previously really short hairdo? Then we recommend coming in every 10-12 weeks in order to reshape and adjust the growout so that you don't have to look weird as you grow out something that was very drastic. It is nice to have an interim style while you are still growing out. Oftentimes, just growing it from a really short look it can get a little strange! Don't worry; we can make adjustments as you go so that you never have to explain to nosy friends that you are "growing it out". For example, this adorable wolf cut (below), after about four months really starts looking like a pretty shelfy and severe mullet. It is best to come in and have things adjusted to avoid being mistaken for Billy Ray.

​Your stylist should be making recommendations based on all these factors! When you prebook your appointment, you will be glad you have that to look forward to when things start to get droopy and misshapen! Remember: Haircuts do not last forever. They expire, and we are here to help you stay on top of your look!

      How can that be? Didn't her hair grow? While performing our 10-Point Curl Analysis, I made the observations that her hair was quite fine and also thinner on the top and sides. Upon further discussion, it was discovered that her mom also has thinning hair. This is, unfortunately, something I see quite often behind the chair. Female pattern balding is a real thing and I have discussed it at length in this blog. The life cycle and subsequent shedding of her hair is not allowing her hair to grow much longer, or even past her shoulders. To date, I am not aware of any way to change the life cycle of your hair.  
    But... what can be done about genetically thinning hair? Certainly, taking supplements, like Biotin and Gelatin, and making sure that you are eating a healthy diet are the first thing. Being sure to protect your scalp while in the sun can also prevent recurring sunburns which result in a thicker, regenerated scalp. Talk to your doctor about Rogaine for Women. It has been proven to be the most effective solution for hair loss. Yes, I even use it daily for the thin area of my crown.​

I seriously was surprised and thrilled at the same time! I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to this two-hour service.

Doesn't she look so much younger and vibrant? Have you been waiting years for the perfect cut? Or just to be listened to and understood by your hairstylist? Drop your comments below and don't forget to come see us. 

​​The clients at OlyCurl always leave with a smile on their face, a spring in their step, and a bounce in their curl, because they know that Yukiko and Julia truly care about them. Yukiko and Julia remember their clients, and make a point to make sure OlyCurl is a stress-free, welcoming, and fun environment. If you are looking for a salon that truly cares about you, your hair, and will make sure you walk away loving the way you look, OlyCurl is the place for you. To the clients that have made me feel so welcomed this past month, thank you! I hope to continue seeing all the beautiful curlies and burlies!

We discussed these possibilities, and then I remembered that Jennifer had major surgery about a year ago. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that the first six inches of her curls were thick and voluminous. Beyond that is where they started to get stringy. Since hair grows at an average of half an inch a month, six inches is the average growth for hair in a one-year period and it stands to reason that after her surgery she had a major shedding. Why does this happen? It could be the trauma of surgery, anesthesia, a temporarily altered diet, the stress of recovery... In any case, the good news is that her hair is growing back thick again! For more information on thinning hair, read this blog post.

The ends will eventually  need to be trimmed off, as hair only gets thicker as it grows from the scalp, and Jennifer will once again have a full and juicy head of curls. On this particular day, we chose to trim about two inches.
It helps to discuss these things with your hairstylist; hair is not just hair. It can tell us so much, but we can't piece the puzzle together if we don't have all the pieces! If Jennifer had just disappeared a year ago to have her surgery and never shared that with me, 

we could have been stumped or taken a lot longer trying to figure out what was going on.  I once had a client whose hair told me a story and I asked her if anything big had happened in her life about four months prior and she shared that she had been in a major car accident. Knowing that information, I was able to let her know what to expect in the way of bushiness and extra perceived frizz in the coming months. She felt better armed with that information so that she didn't panic later on when those things happened.
What stories are your curls telling you?
The stylists at OlyCurl can help you decipher what your curls are doing and saying. Click here to learn more about what we do as curly hair specialists and request an appointment to see us!