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When I first realized my hair was thinning, it felt like discovering my toes were going to fall off. Sure, I was aware that hair loss happens, and that male pattern baldness affects almost 50% of men by age 50. I just thought it would never happen to me.
After overcoming the initial shock and reckoning with my mortality, I decided to do something about it. I hopped on a popular hair loss brand’s train, and for the last several years have been using their products daily, with excellent results. The hair loss has stalled.
But when I learned about Caldera+Lab’s new Haircare System I was intrigued. The brand has made a name for itself with premium men’s grooming products like The Good, a face serum that feels extravagant. So I paused my routine (except for the daily finasteride pill, since the Caldera+Lab system was purely topical), and tried out the shampoo, conditioner, and hair serum for a month.
We like
- No chemicals, animal testing, aluminum, or parabens
- Luxurious feel on the scalp
- Effective at thickening hair and stalling hair loss
We don't like
- An expensive system to use consistently
- Not a clinical solution to hair loss
All the Feels
Whenever I’ve run out of my own shampoo or conditioner and have had to use my wife’s more expensive products, I’m amazed at the luxuriousness of the scalpfeel. There is a thickness to the product, it lathers well, it lingers, and for a long time after my shower my hair feels like it’s had a little infusion of mojo.
For the first time, Caldera+Lab is allowing me to experience that same quality with my own products (I even suspect my wife may have stolen some). Although the ingredients listed on the website sound like new action movies I haven’t seen yet (Exodense Complex, Protein-Biomatrix, Korean Angelica…), the result is a soft, thick pate of hair.
Having confidence in your hair means not having to wear a hat all the time, or come up with complex combing patterns to hide what is happening up top. The Haircare System gave me this confidence thanks to the premium nature of the product.
Hair Loss, Interrupted
Over the month I used the Haircare System my hair loss remained stable, in that there was no noticeable decline. The brand touts three years of research on scalp and hair science, and each dropper of the hair serum is said to contain 1 billion exosomes composed of antioxidant botanicals, caffeine, and minerals.
Since I already have a hair care routine, it was easy to sub in the Caldera+Lab products. I used the shampoo and conditioner for every shower, and the serum each night before bed. I combed the serum into my scalp to ensure saturation. Since there are no chemicals in the product, I was never left with an acrid taste if I ran my fingers through my hair and then ate something. My wife appreciated that as well, as she hates getting a whiff of chemicals if she comes too close.
Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow
I know, at least conceptually, that one day I’ll lose my hair and will have to grapple with what that means for my identity. But for now the fact that Caldera+Lab exists is helping to stave off that frightening future. Considering the price point of the Haircare System, I found it to be a delightful splurge. It would make for a great gift for the man in your life (assuming it’s not the first time you’ve communicated about hair loss, otherwise, giver beware!).
For now I’m returning to my reliable routine, but look forward to taking the plunge into Caldera+Lab’s line of products again soon. Luckily I still have the beard oil.
