Pinoy doctor develops natural shampoo

MANILA, Philippines - Just because your hair is soft and shiny does not mean that it’s healthy. The artificial sheen and silkiness of its strands could be hiding dandruff, brittleness and tiny bald patches brought about by the chemicals you use every day.

“Our hair is perhaps the most abused part of our body. We put chemicals on it every day, from the shampoos and conditioners to the dyes and treatments that we use. It’s not surprising that many men and women suffer from falling hair,” said Dr. Rainier Villanueva, a Filipino neurosurgeon whose all-natural shampoo that he developed from indigenous plant extracts is known all over the world.

Villanueva likens the use of these synthetic hair products to putting fabric softeners and bleach in clothes. They might work for a while but over time, the chemical build-up weakens and wears out clothes.

Similarly, these harsh products rob the hair of its natural oils and strip each strand of its protective layers. When used for a long time, hair — like clothes — will eventually thin out, fray, become brittle and fall off. In fact, within just two days of use of these products, one can already see initial signs of falling hair.

“Hair and scalp need natural oils and vitamins that come from the body. You cannot rely on chemicals to soften hair or control hair fall because the scalp has a natural moisturizing and nourishment system that needs to be stimulated,” Villanueva said.

“The reason why we have hair problems like dandruff and thinning hair is because the chemical build-up is too much and the natural system shuts down,” he added.

This is the reason why he created Lauat Herbal Hair Treatment Shampoo which comes from three indigenous plant extracts, namely lawat, gugo and virgin coconut oil (VCO).

Already 28 years in the market, Lauat has reached the United States, Germany, Italy, and the Middle East.

Villanueva often refers to his wonder product as “a gift of the north and the south.” This is because two of Lauat’s main ingredients come from these regions. Gugo (Entada phaseoloides) is a vine whose liquid extract has been used for hair and scalp care in the north since the early days.

Villanueva, in fact, gets his vines fresh from Zambales where they are grown and harvested. A study made by the Department of Science and Technology showed that gugo increases micro-circulation in the scalp which helps bring in oxygen and nutrients. This is important in hair fall control and hair regrowth.

Lawat (Litsea glutinosa), on the other hand, is a tree whose leaves were used by indigenous Filipinos in the south to clean the scalp and thicken hair. It contains essential fatty acids which the body needs but does not produce naturally. This is food for the scalp that revitalizes hair from the roots to the tips. 

Unlike artificial conditioners that are greasy, VCO extracts are easily absorbed. They help carry lawat and gugo to hair follicles, resulting in nourished and moisturized scalp and hair.

Lauat Herbal Hair Treatment Shampoo is distributed by Cambert (Pilipinas) Inc. and is available at leading supermarkets and drugstores. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cambert.ph.