Kate Stuckslager
Kate Stuckslager is an Associate Trichologist based in Durango, Colorado specializing in hair loss, scalp health, and hair wellness. With a background in hairstyling and a passion for intentional, sustainable hair care, she helps clients better understand the connection between scalp health, lifestyle habits, and long-term hair wellness.
Through her work, Kate emphasizes thoughtful, holistic approaches to hair and scalp care while continuing advanced education in hair loss and scalp health.
For more hair wellness insights and educational content, follow Kate at _katedoeshair.
Kate, can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to specialize in scalp health and hair wellness?
I've been a hairstylist for the past 7 years, with a heavy focus on dry cutting and lived-in color. I would have new clients come in with hair that was overprocessed, and I would nurture their hair back to health. I felt confident in products and protocols when it came to their mids to ends, but when they would ask me about their scalp health, I felt I needed more knowledge. I dove into the world of Trichology (the scientific study of hair and scalp) and learned how to support the whole hair health of my clients, starting at the scalp. I now offer hair and scalp analyses and help people through scalp issues and hair loss journeys.
Many people focus heavily on hair products, but often overlook the scalp itself. Why is scalp health such an important part of overall hair wellness?
I think we all focus on hair products with the hope that we find the right one to be the cure-all for our hair concerns. But focusing on scalp health can be the key to truly healthy hair overall. To put it simply, a healthy scalp environment yields healthy hair. An imbalance in the scalp's microbiome can cause hair to shed prematurely, stunt future growth, and lead to brittle mids and ends. When we nurture a healthy scalp environment, we grow healthier hair from the root down.
Water quality is becoming a much bigger topic in the beauty and wellness space. How can shower water impact scalp and hair health over time?
Water quality truly affects every part of your hair health. Most of us don't think twice about what's actually in our shower water, but things like chlorine and PFAS build up on the scalp over time and can disrupt that healthy microbiome we worked so hard to maintain. That buildup can clog follicles, contribute to excess shedding, and make it really difficult to keep a balanced scalp environment.
From your mids to ends, chlorine is especially harsh because it strips the hair of its natural moisture and proteins, leaving it feeling dry, brittle, and rough. It makes it harder for your moisturizing and strengthening products to actually do their job, so you're putting great products on compromised hair and not getting the full benefit.
And for my color clients this one is big. Chlorine is one of the sneaky reasons your color fades faster than it should. It breaks down the dye molecules in the hair shaft and pulls the vibrancy right out of your color. A good shower filter that targets chlorine and other chemicals can make a noticeable difference in how long your color lasts between appointments.
What are your top 5 tips for maintaining a healthy scalp and supporting long-term hair wellness?
- Invest in a shower water filter. We already talked about what chlorine and PFAS can do to your scalp and hair over time. Filtering your water is one of the simplest and most impactful changes you can make.
- Keep your scalp clean by washing regularly. I recommend washing daily or every couple of days. There is a misconception that washing your hair too often is bad for it, but a clean scalp is a healthy scalp. Buildup and excess oil left sitting on the scalp can suffocate your follicles and disrupt your microbiome.
- Always double cleanse. Your first shampoo is breaking up dirt, product, and excess oil. Your second shampoo is where you are cleansing the scalp itself.
- Choose gentle shampoos that support your scalp's microbiome. Harsh formulas and artificial fragrance can strip the scalp and throw it out of balance. You want something that cleans without disrupting the natural environment your scalp needs to thrive.
- Clean your hair brushes regularly. This one gets overlooked all the time, but think about it. If you're brushing old buildup, oil, and grime through freshly washed hair, you're undoing all of your hard work. Clean tools, clean scalp + hair.
After using the Weddell Duo, were there any aspects of the product or its approach to shower filtration that stood out to you from a scalp and hair wellness perspective?
There were a few things that really stood out to me about the Weddell Duo from a scalp and hair wellness perspective. First, the fact that it is certified and derm tested matters to me. When I am recommending something to my clients, I need to trust what is behind it.
I also really appreciate the added carbon filter. Carbon filtration is effective at targeting chlorine and other chemicals that we know disrupt scalp health, so that was a big green flag for me.
As a user, I noticed a difference immediately. After my very first use my hair and skin felt different. I live in Colorado which is a very dry climate, and the filter made a noticeable difference in my hair and skin not feeling stripped and dry after showering.
Something else I found really interesting was that after a few days of not washing, my hair wasn't getting oily the way it normally would. That tells me my scalp was more balanced which makes total sense when you remove the irritants that were throwing it off in the first place.
Also, I love my current shower head so it was such a bonus that the Weddell Duo fits right in between rather than replacing your whole shower head. It makes it such an easy switch for anyone.
What’s next for you within the scalp and hair wellness space? Are there any exciting goals, projects, or educational initiatives you’re currently working on?
I’m currently working toward becoming a Board Certified Trichologist through the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board. It’s a lot of studying but I’m very excited to deepen my expertise and serve my clients at the highest level.
I’m also starting to offer hair restoration services here in Southwest Colorado, which I am really passionate about. Hair loss is something that affects so many people and can have a huge impact on confidence and quality of life and there is not a lot of access to specialized support in our area. I’m eager to fill that gap and walk alongside people on their hair loss journeys.
We often hear that some of the best ideas come to us in the shower. Have you had any interesting shower thoughts lately, especially related to your work or wellness?
Honestly if I’m having work related shower thoughts it's always color formulas. I'll be completely replaying a client's appointment thinking about how I can tweak their formula to get it even closer to perfect next time. I overanalyze everything. My clients probably don't notice the tweaks, but I always do.
A heartfelt thank you to Kate for being part of this conversation and for her dedication to helping people better understand their hair and scalp health. We're proud to highlight experts like Kate who inspire healthier routines, informed choices, and intentional self-care.