TRANSITION PERIOD WITH MONAT & THE SCIENCE BEHIND MONAT

TRANSITION PERIOD WITH MONAT & THE SCIENCE BEHIND MONAT

A transition phase is a temporary phase that can happen for some people (around 20%) when they start using Monat.

Not everyone goes through this, but it depends where you were coming from...

How imbalanced things were...

What damage needs to be repaired...

What products you were using before...

Stick with it, trust the process and keep in communication with your personal shampoo guide (that’s me if I enrolled you!).

This guide will explain why it happens, what is happening (?!) and what to do 🦋

I hope this helps!

Let’s dive in:

Monat is a play on words, it stands for MOdern NATure. Monat is a botanically based, low-tox haircare (and skincare) range that is extremely high performing. There is nothing else like it on the market, no other haircare comes close. 

There really is nothing else like it on the market! It is super high performing and you will be blown away by the results if you stick to it and use the products as they are intended to be used. This gives the products the best chance to perform the way they’re supposed to perform. Your market partner should have already provided you with a wash guide/how to use guide when you made your first order. If they haven’t, or if you are unsure about anything, please get in touch with them!

The longer that you use it, the better your hair will get. This is true for the many women that use the products, and, wash by wash, we are seeing some amazing transformations. 

A lot of shampoos, in fact the majority of other shampoos, have a lot of silicons and waxes in them. Even organic, natural products, can have natural waxes and silicones in them. 

What other brands do to the hair is coat the hair with these waxes and effectively mask the damaged hair underneath. This buildup also suffocates the hair preventing any nutrients getting into the hair. It can appear as if all is well on the outside, when in fact the hair, and most importantly, the hair follicle, may be very unhappy. If not damaged, then suffocated of nutrients. 

Because Monat doesn't use sulphates, parabens, or any other nasties, (see below for more about this) for some people when they start using Monat, they may go through a phase where their hair is transitioning from whatever they were using before, and wash by wash, Monat is very gently removing the silicons, waxes, buildup and it is revealing what is underneath. 

It’s revealing your hair’s true state. 

A lot of people when they start using natural products, can sometimes hate how the hair looks and feels, and this can happen in Monat as well initially, but the difference between other natural products and Monat is that Monat actually has the technology and the capability and the ingredients to rebuild, repair, and rebalance the hair. Other haircare products cannot do this. 

So think of your hair as on the inside (under the buildup), being really damaged but on the outside, the hair will look as though all is well. There’s nothing breaking off, there’s nothing frizzing off, etc. 

Once you start using Monat, it begins to gently remove buildup, and bring the hair back to its “raw” state. So if you have buildup on your scalp and hair, very gently, wash by wash, Monat will slowly be removing that, and sometimes your hair or scalp can feel sticky, or the hair can start feeling frizzy on the ends, or it can feel excessively oily, or excessively dry for a period, while everything is rebalancing and adjusting. 

So as you wash and remove the buildup, and keep going, wash by wash, we are left with what the hair is actually like underneath. It could be coarse, frizzy, damaged, and at this stage (and this stage can occur from the first few washes to a few months down the track), people might start to wonder: What is happening?!?!

If you’re using the right haircare solution for you from the Monat range, and even better, doing the scalp oil (Rejuvenique Oil) treatments regularly, Monat will be going in with the nutrients your hair actually needs to rebuild, and penetrating all the way into the hair shaft, into all three layers of the hair (no other haircare can do this). 

It’s repairing your crazy damaged ends and, over time, and with consistent use, it’s ACTUALLY healing and restoring the hair, not just masking it like other haircare brands do. 

The transition period doesn’t happen to everyone and will happen to a greater or lesser degree to the people that experience it, depending on how their hair was before they started with Monat. 

Some things you may experience during the adjustment period:

• Excessively oily scalp and hair
• Itchy scalp
• Dryness and flakiness as the buildup is getting moved away from the scalp
• Very dry ends
• More frizz

Things you can do to move through the adjustment phase faster:

• Regular oil treatments with Rejuvenique oil* - these are key to rebalancing the pH of the scalp and delivering nutrients to the deepest layer of the hair. 
• Washing more frequently - so if you’re only washing once a week, wash twice a week. You’ll want to be washing to remove the buildup that is being broken down and washing to add in nutrients to the hair. 
• Adding in a hair masque, especially if your symptoms are really dry ends; you want to be feeding that nourishment back into the hair. 
• Get a trim - while your hair is in such a state, you might want to refresh and neaten your ends with a little trim to tidy things up, as you are healing and restoring the hair. 
• Using an apple cider vinegar rinse: literally apple cider vinegar out of your kitchen. Mix one part ACV to 4 parts water and shampooing with your normal shampoo, then applying the ACV rinse, then use your normal conditioner. That’s going to really clarify and remove buildup off the hair.
• Using the Purifying Vinegar Range from Monat (scrub, shampoo, or rinse), that is very clarifying and great for rebalancing pH. 
• Using the Black 2in1 Shampoo as your first shampoo as your first wash. 

So if you find yourself in the transition period, it’s important to know that it’s normal and to understand why it’s happening. Your hair is adjusting; everything that needs to go, is going, and then your hair is going to be restored to its natural state underneath, and then Monat can start to rebuild and heal from there. 

IMPORTANT - IF YOU BLEACH YOUR HAIR OR HEAT STYLE YOUR HAIR

When you remove all those waxes, silicones, and buildup from your hair, you’re going to be left with your “virgin” hair, and you need to treat it GENTLY. You need to turn your heat tools right down. Try to keep them to under 200 degrees celsius. Keep your blow dryer on the lowest setting. High, high heat is going to damage virgin hair, so you need to be very gentle with the hair. 

If you bleach your hair, let your hairdresser know that they need to use a lower voltage developer because they’re not needing to cut through all of the buildup on the hair, and your hair will lift a lot quicker when you’re using Monat - the bleach doesn’t have to get through everything like it normally would. 

Treating everything gently, using silk scrunchies, brushing gently, knowing that as your hair gets healthier it’s going to get stronger, but in those fragile first stages where you’ve just transitioned, and everything your hair didn’t need has been stripped away and your hair is kind of naked, you want to treat it gently. 

Give it lots of nourishment (oil treatments!), ACV rinses, washing more frequently, waiting it out. Normally a big transition can last anywhere from 1-3 months if your hair was really in a bad state before, sometimes it can just take a few hair washes, sometimes there’s different transitions that happen layer upon layer at different times, but for most people, it doesn’t happen at all. 

Keep going, because on the other side of the hair transition, where your hair really starts to uptake the nutrients in the Monat haircare, your hair will be better than you have ever experienced. Work with your Market Partner, communicate with them, because we can sometimes tweak a few things to help you move faster through this phase, and reassure you that it’s all normal and get you to the other side of it where you are actually living your hair goals!

HAIR SHEDDING

Something else that can happen for some people is what appears to be more hair shedding - especially if you have a lot of heavy buildup on the scalp (and you might not even know that you have a lot of buildup until you start using Monat!). 

If you have been using products with a lot of silicones and waxes, even a lot of oil-rich products that are not compatible with the scalp, can clog the hair follicles and sit on top. It’s normal for us to shed hair - every day we shed 50-200 hairs and that is healthy and normal and is part of the hair’s growth cycle. 

Our hair goes through growing phases, resting phases, and phases where it sheds - and each hair on our head is going through a different phase at any one time. And if your hair is not shedding normally, then your hair is not going through its normal healthy cycle. More about the hair growth cycle, below. 

If you have a lot of buildup clogging up your scalp and hair follicles, that buildup will be holding hair in place that should have already shed. 

When you start using Monat, and removing that buildup, then some of your hair, which is just sitting there clogged into the hair follicles and not even plugged into the blood supply (and therefore not getting any nutrients), will also be removed as the buildup is removed. It’s important to know, that those hairs were supposed to be shedding anyway! The hair that has been shed through this process is making way for new, healthier, stronger growth, that can thrive like never before. 

So initially, and for a short period, you may experience some extra hair shedding than what you were having before. We want that to happen because we want all that buildup to be removed, and that process can clear the way for the hair follicle to grow healthier, stronger, thriving, hair. 

Ultimately, it is a positive sign that Monat is doing what is it intended to do, and performing the way it’s meant to perform. 

It’s important to keep going through this phase, don’t panic and go back to what you were using before, because it will interrupt the process of getting you the healthy, dream hair that is possible for you when you use Monat consistently, the way it’s meant to be used, and not mixing it with other brands.

Please get in touch with your Market Partner if you are unsure about this or have any questions. 

*Why Rejuvenique? Why not other oils?

Rejuvenique oil (super pure blend of 13+ plant extracts and essential oils and nothing else) rebalances the scalp ecosystem and also has the ability to reconnect the hair to the nutrient supply by penetrating deep in the hair follicle and acting like a 'glue'. Sounds weird, but is super cool. 

Rejuvenique oil is the only oil on the market that has a molecular structure small enough to penetrate into the all three layers of the hair shaft: the inner centre (the cortex), and deliver nutrients to the deepest layer of the hair. 

All other oils will just sit on top of the hair and contribute to buildup, which in turn clogs the hair follicle and can upset the pH balance of the scalp. Rejuvenique actually has the ability to repair the hair from the inside out.

Rejuvenique oil is biomimetic - meaning it mimics our body’s natural oils. That’s why it absorbs so well! 

So in fact you can use it on any part of the face and body. The skin on our scalp is the same skin as on our face! 

CAPIXYL AND RED CLOVER

Monat uses an ingredient called Capixyl which is based on Red Clover Extract (water soluble). 

Capixyl extends the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle and reduces the anagen (hair loss) phase - resulting in faster growth and longer growth. 

The Red Clover used in Monat is Red Clover extract - a water-based ingredient that is a phytoestrogen often used in herbal and naturopathic preparations. 

Capixyl™ is a proprietary blend and the amount of red clover used to manufacture Capixyl™ is 0.02 - 0.03%. Monat uses anything between <1% to 5% (maximum amount recommended ) concentration of Capixyl™ in the final products. So only trace amounts are absorbed topically, and constitute less phytoestrogen than if you drink coffee, eat rice or eat sweet potato. 

HAIR GROWTH CYCLE

Hair follicles have three distinctive phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen phase.

Anagen is the growth phase and approximately 85% of all hairs are in the growing phase at any one time. Melanin is made in the hair bulb throughout this phase.

Catagen is the transition phase and the hair stops growing and becomes detached from the base of the follicle. The hair bulb begins to break down, resulting in the follicle becoming shorter. On average, 1% of follicles are in the catagen stage.

Telogen is the resting phase and during this phase the hair does not grow but stays attached to the follicle. Approximately 10–15% of all hair is in this phase at any one time. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair follicle reenters the Anagen phase and a new hair begins to form.

MORE ABOUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND MONAT

Monat is committed to using the cleanest possible ingredients while still giving the best results possible. Monat has no: 

• Parabens
• Sulfates 
• or SLS Petrochemicals 
• Phthalates 
• Harmful fragrances 
• Gluten 
• DEA/MEA 
• Ethanol 
• Harsh salt systems 
• Harmful colours 
• No animal testing

Monat used to have a 'No' list, however this changed to being a 'We Say Yes To' list with the development of some new key technologies in hair advancement, that are still naturally based, but did not strictly adhere to the former No list. 

Of note, the development of the Bond Support/Damage Repair line has technology that required some ingredients in order to deliver the promised results. It does contain PEG ethers (more on this below) which are still a low safety risk due to how they are manufactured. 

You can find all the full ingredient lists on the website listed with each product. 

I would say that Monat is roughly on par in a low-toxicity sense with doTerra products (like their skincare and shampoo), however, nothing else comes close to how well Monat performs.

PEG ETHERS

The concerns with PEGs is that they can be contaminated if produced cheaply. 

The process involves using a solvent, and then purifying the solution using vacuum extraction. High quality PEGs are uncontaminated and very safe and rate a 3 or less on the EWG. 

Monat goes a step further and uses only PEG ethers in these select few products. The reason for use is as a cationic surfactant, which means it creates a positive charge and helps conditioning agents cling to the hair strand until washed next with a cleanser. 

This is especially useful in incredibly damaged hair and is why it is included in the Damage Repair Line / Bond Support line. 

The EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep database is a good resources for finding low tox products - anything under a 3 is considered very safe. 

OTHER INGREDIENTS

They also use high performing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, AHA's, superfruit blends, peptides and ceramides (especially in their skincare). It is very high performing and the results really do speak for themselves. 

PHENOXYETHANOL

Phenoxyethanol rates a 2-4 on the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database - https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/704811-phenoxyethanol/

It rates higher in products intended for use around the mouth and lips as it increases absorption and the chance of ingestion. 

Monat has 2 products I am aware of containing phenoxyethanol currently - the Wave Spray, and the Advanced Hydrating Masque. 

Both of these items are not intended for use around the mouth, so we can safely assume that their rating based on their intended use would be likely to be on the lower end (2), or a GREEN label from the EWG. 

If someone was still concerned about this ingredient they could discern for themselves to avoid these products, however according to the EWG this ingredient has a LOW risk for cancer, allergies and immunotoxicity and developmental & reproductive toxicity. 

Phenoxyethanal can be found in nature (in green tea) however most cosmetic uses are synthetic. Regulation prohibits more than 1% being used in a product. Your scalp can absorb 30% of what you put on it, so with a maximum concentration (likely to be FAR less) of 1% and 30% potentially absorbed = 0.003% on the scalp, which is extremely unlikely to cause harm, which correlates to the EWG score given for topical use not around the mouth. 

In both the Wave Spray and the Advanced Hydrating masque, phenoxyethanol sits almost last on the ingredient list, which indicates the concentration is extremely low. A user can make their own decision after considering this information. 

FRAGRANCE

Monat does use a safe fragrance in their range - it contains NO phthalates (hormone disruptors) or anything unsafe. It is in line with the European council and the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) for fragrances and is a mix of mostly natural and some safe synthetics. 

IFRA Standards: The IFRA Standards ban, limit or set criteria for the use of certain ingredients, based on scientific evidence and consumer insights. The Standards are compulsory for all IFRA members – who produce around 80 per cent of the global volume of fragrance. Index of restricted, prohibited or controlled ingredients: https://ifrafragrance.org/docs/default-source/ifra-code-of-practice-and-standards/ifra-standards---50th-amendment/ifra-50th-amendment-(att-03)---index-of-ifra-standards-june-30-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=8585e1ce_6

Full IFRA Standards up to and including the 50th amendment: https://ifrafragrance.org/docs/default-source/ifra-code-of-practice-and-standards/ifra-standards---50th-amendment/standards-compiled.pdf?sfvrsn=87deb890_4

From Deverne Augustus (Monat MP, hairdresser and chemist): 

"MONAT's proprietary formulations contain a combination of non-hazardous natural and safe synthetic fragrances. Fragrances are made from both natural and synthetic ingredients added to enhance the aromatic experience. All the MONAT formulations (with fragrance included) have been clinically tested for safety to ensure that they do not promote irritation or allergy responses. 

The fragrances used in MONAT’s formulations have ingredients that adhere to the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) and RIFM (Research Institute of Fragrance Materials) standards for safety. 

The IFRA Standards form the basis for the globally accepted and recognized risk management system for the safe use of fragrance ingredients and are part of the IFRA Code of Practice. This is the self-regulating system of the industry, based on risk assessments carried out by an independent Expert Panel. 

The purpose of the RIFM safety assessment is to assure the safe use of fragrance materials in consumer products. Assessments of the data supporting the safe use of fragrance materials follow the updated Criteria Document. The Criteria Document provides guidance on conducting safety assessments and is designed to incorporate the best science to appropriately evaluate fragrance ingredients using the latest testing strategies and methods. 

The assessments may be found by using the search feature above. Previously published assessments may be found at the links below. 

Deverne's group you can join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/166375830514151

Anne Marie Michael’s Article: https://www.annmariemichaels.com/monat-review-why-i-switched-to-monat-hair-products