A Wealth of Hair Health

If the beauty industry's skin-analyzing devices haven't depressed you enough, a new salon has something that's sure to do it. Introducing BeautyScope, a hair health assessment that magnifies hair 200 times to detect brittle ends, bacteria deposits, product buildup, dandruff flakes, early signs of psoriasis and more.

It's exclusively available in Las Vegas at Pico Madama Styling & Hair Health Boutique, located in the space formerly occupied by Vintage Salon.

Styling and hair health consultants, as they're called at Pico, conduct a BeautyScope prior to performing another exclusive service to Las Vegas: the Facial Scalp Treatment. Clients get both for $95. They come courtesy of Chihtsai Hair Care, a line of hair products that are, yes, only sold at Pico.

"We think you should make a salon that doesn't just make your hair beautiful, but makes it healthy, too," says Beli Andaluz, owner and lead hair consultant.

That's the concept behind everything Chihtsai does. The BeautyScope may have women cringing at the sight of their hair follicles and scalp that close-up, but the point of identifying hair and scalp problems is to fix them. The line also makes clear that without a healthy scalp, healthy hair is virtually impossible. The diagnosis that follows a BeautyScope aims to improve both and consists of at least four product recommendations.

The Facial Scalp Treatment is exactly what it sounds like. Hair health consultants part hair in sections to better target the scalp. A jojoba-infused exfoliation gives clients a tingling, cooling sensation. Rubber combs that look like back massagers are used in various motions (zig-zag, wax-on, galloping horses) while the scalp's moisture is balanced with the help of vitamins and antioxidants. Hair health consultants wash the hair next, but not under a sink. Using a water bottle, they do it right there at the salon chair. It brings all the benefits and relaxation of the other kind of facial.

With harsh hair fads coming and going, Andaluz realizes her salon's healthy hair concept won't appeal to everyone. Granted, she's already fielded several calls from women hoping to fix the damage another salon inflicted. "People think I'm a hair doctor," she says.

This isn't Andaluz's first stab at a salon. She owned a successful one for eight years in her native Antigua, Guatemala, where she met her fiance and co-owner Scott Seidewitz. She shut down the salon two years ago, when she moved to the United States. Shortly after arriving in Las Vegas, Andaluz visited a salon that damaged her waist-length hair so badly she had to chop it to her chin. Her and Seidewitz didn't need further convincing to open a salon. "I think we've all been victims of salons," Andaluz says.

Pico Madama performs more than just services intended to get hair healthy. Like any other salon, highlights (start at $100), updos (consultation required) and blowouts (start at $40) are all offered. The Keratin Smoothing Therapy costs $100 per ounce and the new hair feathers trend is available for $30.

Pico Madama Styling & Hair Health Boutique is located at 8975 W. Charleston Blvd., No. 190, 212-0544.