Research partnerships · Santa Monica, California
Hair & Scalp
Product Research
Partnerships
In-person assessments.
Documentation your study can build on.
âme vitality supports research organizations and product teams with structured hair and scalp assessments in the Los Angeles market. We can work within your existing study protocol or help shape an assessment program around your research objectives.
Built for your team
- Research organizations
- Haircare & scalp-care brands
- Product development teams
- Ongoing advisory partners
Assessment capabilities
Choose the level of detail
your study needs.
Start with structured observations and photography. Add instrument-based measurements or specimen analysis where they serve your study’s objectives.
Visual Hair &
Scalp Assessment
Baseline and scheduled follow-up assessments using evaluation criteria agreed with your research team.
- Structured observations
- Document visible hair and scalp condition against the study’s defined criteria.
- Progress photography
- High-resolution images with consistent lighting, positioning, and framing across visits.
- Product preparation
- Pre-pack and organize company-supplied test products for distribution according to the protocol.
- Assessment records
- Prepare photographs, visit details, and observations for delivery to your team.
Useful for: studies focused on visible condition and structured observational documentation.
Expanded Assessment
with Tricotest®
Visual assessment and photography, with additional hair and scalp imaging and measurements.
- Magnified imaging
- Trichoscope imaging at 50× and 200× white light, and 50× blue light, selected for the protocol.
- Sebum & hydration
- Record scalp surface oil and hydration at designated assessment points.
- Scalp surface pH
- Document pH measurements at the agreed visits and locations.
- Comparative documentation
- Organize measurements and images for review against the participant’s baseline.
Useful for: studies needing instrument-based scalp observations alongside visual records.
03 / Additional assessment module
Polarized Light Microscopy
A closer look at collected hair samples.
PLM uses polarized light to examine plucked hair samples, adding documentation of the hair shaft, root, and retained sheath material to surface photography and scalp measurements.
| Assessment area | What is documented | Use within the study |
|---|---|---|
| Shaft diameter | Calibrated thickness measurements at defined locations. | Compare diameter distributions across samples and visits. |
| Bulb dimensions & morphology | Bulb size, shape, and appearance. | Document root characteristics at baseline and follow-up. |
| Attached sheath material | Length and appearance of retained sheath material, where assessable. | Record specimen variation with images and measurements. |
| Polarized-light appearance | Color, brightness, and interference patterns under standardized settings. | Create a consistent optical record for comparative review. |
| Growth-phase classification | Assessable roots classified using agreed morphological criteria. | Report counts and percentages within the collected sample. |
| Diameter variability | Diameter distribution and the proportion meeting predefined fine-hair criteria. | Document patterns relevant to miniaturization alongside other findings. |
Consistency begins with collection.
We establish collection location, sample size, preparation, microscope settings, and measurement methods with your team. Specimens are linked to a coded participant record and visit date. Follow-ups use newly collected samples under the same protocol.
Keep the sample in context.
Reports can include individual measurements, annotated images, averages, ranges, and growth-phase counts, including unclassifiable specimens. Sample percentages describe the collected hairs; they are not a whole-scalp estimate.
Study coordination & participant visits
A consistent process
from visit to visit.
We can support appointment coordination, preparation of study products, visit documentation, and repeat assessments. The scope is shaped around your participant count, visit frequency, and timeline.
Before the first visit, we agree on assessment criteria, collection methods, and how records will be organized. Recruitment responsibilities and participant communications are defined with your team during planning.
Agree on methods, responsibilities, and documentation.
Follow the assessment schedule and record each visit.
Deliver the records and review agreed in the project scope.
Data, reporting & research deliverables
Know what your team
will receive.
Data collection and preparation form the foundation. Interpretation and expanded reporting can be scoped separately to match the decisions your team needs to make.
Organized study records
Assessment records and measurement tables, baseline and follow-up photography, and participant-level summaries. PLM modules can add microscopic images and specimen-level datasets.
Record structure, file formats, and delivery schedule are agreed during planning.
Context for the findings
Selected engagements can include comparison tables, a consolidated report of observations, Sara’s interpretation within the study objectives, and an expert review meeting.
Reporting depth and review time are defined in the scope of work.
Meet your research partner
Sara Hallajian
I.A.T. Certified Trichologist
Founder of âme vitality
Sara brings hands-on experience assessing hair and scalp concerns, documenting changes over time, and developing personalized care protocols. That practical perspective informs the observations, assessment planning, and review she contributes to product research.
Expertise beyond the assessment visit.
Engagements can include input on assessment protocols, product evaluation planning, interpretation of observed changes, and ongoing product-development discussions—from a single project to a continuing advisory relationship.
How a partnership begins
A clear scope. A shared plan.
Share your study
Tell us about your product, objectives, participant count, timeline, and assessment needs.
Define the scope
Agree on evaluation methods, visit schedules, responsibilities, deliverables, and project fees.
Assess & deliver
Complete the agreed visits, organize the documentation, and provide the selected reporting and review.
Public use of Sara’s name, âme vitality’s name, study imagery, or findings is addressed separately in the partnership agreement.
Research inquiries
Let’s discuss your
research project.
Share the essentials of your study and the support you’re looking for. An early outline is enough to start the conversation.
In-person hair and scalp assessments, with a scope built around your study.
Please keep this initial inquiry to project-level information. Participant records can be discussed separately.