Before creating the products, we first established a "home care method."

Following the unique nail oil and "Hand Treatment Spices," uka's third product line is the "uka Head Therapy Series," designed for enjoying daily hair styling. This collection features five items—a scalp cleanser, two types of shampoo, and two types of treatment—all developed with a focus on ingredients, ease of use, and immediate results.

—It's been incredibly well-received since its launch.

Thankfully, many people are already using it. The scalp cleanser, "Deep & Light," is particularly popular. It seems people are more interested in scalp care than we initially thought. It sold out so quickly after launch that we temporarily couldn't keep up with production.

—It lathers very well. It leaves my scalp feeling so clean.

Thank you. Deep & Light is a complete cleansing solution in one bottle, making it incredibly convenient. You can use it with your current shampoo, or for men with short hair, it's so effective that you might even skip the shampoo altogether. It's truly a key item. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the uka Head Therapy Series was born because of this product.

The reason is, I used to think that since there are already so many good shampoos available, uka didn't need to create one.—I believed that manufacturers should handle product development, and salons should focus on their techniques. For nail oil and hand treatments, I wanted to create something myself because I couldn't find products that met my standards for usability. But with shampoo, I was already satisfied with existing options. uka's philosophy has always been to let customers choose their preferred shampoo. So, the idea of having our own product line felt a bit off.

—But your staff's passion encouraged you to proceed?

Yes. Ten years ago, hairstylists also handled head therapy, but now we have about 15 dedicated head therapists. They are all incredibly talented, with a strong sense of inquiry and a high level of commitment to managing each client's scalp and hair. I was confident that with their experience and passion, we could create an original product without compromising our standards, so I gave the go-ahead.

—I heard there were "four missions" for product development.

Yes. Creating an original product when so many excellent ones already exist required us to have four essential missions to give it meaning.



Mission ①: Establish the optimal home care method!

Our first mission was—"To enjoy styling, it's essential to enhance the natural beauty of our clients' hair and scalp through care. This applies to nails and hair alike. The scalp has very little muscle, so neglecting care leads to aging. An aged scalp will droop due to gravity, pores will widen and become shallow, preventing sufficient nutrients from reaching the scalp, which causes gray hair, thinning hair, hair loss, and baldness. Please establish an optimal home care method that correctly addresses these scalp and hair concerns before developing the products!"

—Mission ① also emphasizes the importance of how the products are used.

Yes. I told the development team, "Please create a proper care routine so that the intended effects can be fully realized." First, brush the scalp as if lifting it, then thoroughly rinse the scalp and hair. Apply the scalp cleanser, Deep & Light, and massage it in as if working it into the scalp.

When constructing the home care method, we focused on "turnover." Like the skin, the scalp's epidermis renews itself in a cycle of approximately 28 days, but this cycle is easily disrupted by stress, fatigue, UV exposure, and aging. If left unaddressed, it can lead to scalp problems such as dandruff and greasiness. Therefore, we strongly encourage making scalp cleansing and massage a habit.

Recently, more and more women are experiencing hair loss and thinning. While hormonal imbalances and stress are cited as causes, we also believe that "improper cleansing" might be a contributing factor. In fact, when we talk to people, we find that many rush through their shampooing. They might diligently care for their hair every day, but they aren't actually washing or rinsing properly. This is a significant issue. So, how do we correct this? That's how we arrived at this home care method. Please enjoy a "fun" shampoo time with a truly thorough cleanse.

Mission ②: The main ingredient must be amino acids!

Our next mission was—"Collagen, which is said to give youthful skin, is made from amino acids. Nails are also made from keratin, which contains amino acids. Amino acids are essential components of our lives. In fact, over 80% of hair is composed of proteins, which are made up of amino acids. How wonderful would our hair be if we could wash it with this main ingredient? This time, let's make amino acids the primary ingredient, creating a product that repairs hair thoroughly with amino acids."

—The cleanser and shampoos are said to contain 15 types of amino acids.

When creating the "uka Head Therapy Series," we wanted it to be like a staple medicine. This means it should repair hair damage while cleansing. Therefore, we chose "amino acids." The cleanser and shampoos contain 15 types of amino acid repair ingredients.
The number 15 is significant because there are only 20 types of amino acids in total. Hair is made of 18 types of amino acids, but by skillfully combining the 15 types we've included, we can achieve the effect of all 18. Since these are the same components as hair, the repair power is excellent. That's why we don't rinse the shampoo out immediately. We leave the lather on for two minutes, allowing the amino acids lost from the hair to penetrate.


Mission ③: To meet the demands of ambitious women, deliver ambitious results.
Create products that satisfy all types of customers with their finish.

Our third mission was—"Listening to our clients, I've noticed a polarization: some want to add firmness and body to their hair for volume, while others want to suppress volume for smooth, shiny hair. I want these products to effectively address both of these concerns."

When it comes to hair concerns, there are broadly two types: hair that is fine and flat, and hair that is coarse and frizzy. Let's address these two issues properly.—Therefore, we decided to offer two types of shampoo and treatment.

"Wake up!" for flat hair, is a shampoo and treatment designed to lift hair from the roots, making it stand up easily. It features the recently popular hair repair ingredient "γ-docosalactone," which works wonders. γ-docosalactone is a natural ingredient that binds to proteins within the hair when exposed to heat from a dryer. Essentially, it fills damaged areas with amino acids, making the hair incredibly smooth, resulting in lasting firmness and body. On the other hand, "Nighty night" for voluminous hair uses a rich lather to repair damaged hair, leaving it shiny. It also contains γ-docosalactone.



—The scents are also distinctive.

Yes. We put a lot of effort into the scents as well. When placing the order, I only provided the image I had in mind. One was to be a universally pleasing scent, and the other, a memorable one. As a result, Wake up! has a fresh citrus scent that appeals to everyone. Nighty night, on the other hand, has a smoky, sexy scent with sandalwood as the main note.
Both are popular, but the scent of Nighty night has particularly garnered many fans. We've even received requests to create a nail oil with the same fragrance, which shows how well it's been received. If I may say so myself, it's a truly wonderful scent. It also lasts well, releasing a gentle fragrance when you move your hair.

Mission ④: Prioritize natural ingredients as much as possible.

And the final mission was—"Create products that are gentle on both people and the planet, using natural ingredients, so that their effects increase with continued use."

The uka Head Therapy Series is silicone-free, paraben-free, and free of synthetic colorants. The surfactants and cleansing agents are derived from high-quality plant-based ingredients, and the fragrances are also from natural essential oils. As a result, each item in the series achieves an average of over 95% natural origin.

—You use excellent ingredients.

They are incredibly good (laughs). With this quality, it wouldn't be unreasonable to price them around 4,000 yen. In fact, there was talk of setting the price at that level initially. But I rejected it, saying "No!" It was quite a battle (laughs). From a business perspective, that price point would make sense. But I said, "No one will buy it if it's too expensive." Even if the product is excellent, if it's not at a price point that people can afford to repurchase, they won't pick it up, and then there's no point in creating it. This haircare series is meant to be used by as many people as possible.

Haircare must show results the moment you use it!

—After actually using it, I felt that the uka Head Therapy series delivers immediate results. It's not a case of "this is how it feels after a month," but rather an "aha!" moment the first time you use it.

Thank you. I'm glad you felt the difference. Haircare really needs to show results the moment you use it. Especially for women, if they want to become more beautiful, they want to see results immediately. Hair shows your age. When your hair is healthy, vibrant, and shiny, you look significantly younger.

There's been a recent trend away from organic products in some parts of the haircare industry, and I believe the reason is precisely that. While being gentle on hair is good, if you don't see results, you start to question it. Thinking, "When will it finally work?" might not be the right approach.

The uka Head Therapy Series was fundamentally developed for salon care. We created it so that clients could perform the same recommended care at home on days they don't visit the salon. That's why it delivers immediate results.

—In other words, salon and home care are linked.

Yes. Even with the method we've created, we recommend a head spa at the salon once a month.



It's recommended to have multiple shampoos rather than just one!

Before starting this development, the first thing I did was purchase existing shampoos. I bought about three products that caught my eye and placed them in my bathroom. From then on, I started using them interchangeably depending on my mood – this one today, that one tomorrow. It turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable, and it's something I now recommend to everyone.

Using three types might initially seem incredibly luxurious, but with three bottles, you can use them three times as often, so it essentially evens out. The final cost is the same. Therefore, I really hope you'll try it. And when you do, please consider adding the uka Head Therapy Series to your collection.

Not 100% organic, but not purely chemical either.—The formula, which delivers tangible results while using natural ingredients, is the series' greatest feature. We've received compliments from many, saying, "You've created a hybrid product." In reality, for something you use every day, overly strong claims or complicated routines can be tiresome. What's most important is a clear sense of satisfaction – that it feels good to wash with, smells good, and leaves your hair looking great.

To ensure you feel the effects, the usage instructions are clear, and once you learn them, they're simple. In fact, they're efficient. For example, with shampoo, after massaging it in, you leave the lather on for two minutes. During that time, you can wash your body. Our uka shampoos can also be used as body wash. How's that for efficiency? (laughs) When I think about the keyword "busy, lazy, and ambitious women," I really gravitate towards things that offer a two-for-one benefit. (laughs)

—As expected from Kiko! (laughs) So, a final word, please!

Enjoy your shampoo time with the uka Head Therapy Series!


<uka Head Therapy Series>
uka Scalp Cleansing Deep & Light[200mL] ¥3,150
A scalp cleanser with a fine lather that thoroughly washes away excess sebum.
uka Shampoo Wake up![300mL] ¥3,150
A shampoo that gives hair firmness and body from the roots, for a light and bouncy finish.
uka Shampoo Nighty night[300mL] ¥3,150
A shampoo that adds shine and moisture to hair, leading to smooth, manageable locks.
uka Hair Treatment Wake up![200mL] ¥3,465
A milk-type treatment that provides deep moisture with a light finish, adding shine.
uka Hair Treatment Nighty night[200mL] ¥3,465
A mask-type treatment that repairs damaged hair, providing shine and moisture.
Travel Kit Wake up!¥3,465
Scalp Cleansing, Shampoo, and Hair Treatment, 50mL each.
Travel Kit Nighty night¥3,465
Scalp Cleansing, Shampoo, and Hair Treatment, 50mL each.